It is rare that the top of dance crop is so closely defined that it is well nigh impossible to separate them. But that was the case with the first three spots in 2006. Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Attack Theatre and Pittsburgh Cultural Trust's "Stan Won't Dance" conjured up performances that went above and beyond the expected, distinguishing themselves from the rest of the pack for reasons listed below. After much thought and a great deal of nitpicking, the award goes to:

1. ATTACK THEATRE, 'THE KITCHEN SINK'
New Hazlett Theater, Nov. 10.
Michele de la Reza and Peter Kope serve the Pittsburgh dance community in so many ways, from teaching tiny tots with professional aplomb to giving professional performances that are garnering extensive local and national attention. Here they have collaborated with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Pittsburgh Opera, Quantum Theatre and much, much more. But this was really the year spent on the Attack: a National Dance Project touring grant for "Games of Steel," a popular tour to Indonesia (even George W. couldn't accomplish that) and a funky summer trip to Germany amid shorter trips. It all funneled into "The Kitchen Sink," a 10th anniversary retrospective full of references to friends and family, along with the great Dave Eggar-led musical group that so often accompanies them. This couple not only provided fresh, yet mature interpretations of old favorites, they gave their audiences a cohesively memorable program enhanced with exciting new material.

2. PITTSBURGH BALLET THEATRE, 'SWAN LAKE'
Benedum Center, Oct. 27-29
A sentimental pick to be sure, but PBT's "Swan Lake" worked on so many levels. The company fielded four intriguing casts representing past, present and future for three sold-out adult performances and one student matinee. It was a stunning comeback for a company that had been struggling on several fronts and an undeniable signal that audiences wanted "live music," as they cheered on the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Orchestra.

3. 'STAN WON'T DANCE'
Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Byham Theater, March 22
This British duo was a last-minute addition to the schedule by the Trust's vice president and dance master Paul Organisak. Faced with a space dilemma, he transferred most of the seating onto the Byham stage so that the small but select audience could receive maximum impact from a powerfully gritty "Sinner," a work based on London's Soho bombings and woven into the unusual format of a solo for two men.

4. BILL T. JONES/ARNIE ZANE COMPANY, 'BLIND DATE'
Pittsburgh Dance Council, Benedum Center, March 25
This year Jones was amazed that this work had such legs, being based on an anti-war theme inspired by the results of the 2004 presidential election. But it rings true, even today, with Quack-a-Duck's sitting duck and a 20-year old military quote that foretold of terrorism. Not even the visionary Jones could have predicted something like that.

5. TERO SAARINEN COMPANY
PDC, Byham, March 11
Spare and wise, this Swedish choreographer was most notable for his 35-minute solo, "Hunt," based on Stravinsky's "Rite of Spring," but with additions such as a projected video on his white costume and a wonderful soundscape. A visual and intellectual treat.

6. PBT, 'COPPELIA'
Benedum Center, Feb. 10
This "Coppelia" focused on a partnership like no other in PBT's history. Ying Li and Jiabin Pan turned in a tour de force performance of this traditional comic ballet, taking the kind of balletic and dramatic risks that we don't often see.

7. RANDOM DANCE, PDC
Byham, Nov. 4
One of a scintillating global network of dance companies that PDC brings to Pittsburgh, British choreographer Wayne MacGregor might be the wave of the future -- just check out the Web site. Besides, who else bases choreography on the science of neurological disorders?

8. DANCE ALLOY, 'BLACK/WHITE DANCING IN THE RED'
Kelly Strayhorn Theater, Dec. 9
Beth Corning's group robustly demonstrated how it is growing by leaps and bounds with a program of encores. Humor and pathos alternated in Corning's "At Once There Was a House," while the dancers vividly explored a more athletic arena in David Shimotakahara's "Open Seating."

9. PILLOW PROJECT, 'THE SWANK EASY'
Construction Junction, April 29
With a small army of dancers and a live jazz band, Pearlann Porter re-created a jazz nightclub with nifty performances engulfing tap, modern and jazz. Loved the blackboard jungle of improvised movement in which the performers drew abstract designs and converted them into the real thing.

10. PBT
Hartwood Acres, Aug. 24.
Completing PBT's first hat trick on the Top Ten list, the annual free performance at this Pittsburgh area park went above and beyond the usual summer fare. On a program that included Twyla Tharp's "Nine Sinatra Songs" and Derek Deane's "Simply Simon," PBT's dancers improved upon their Benedum Center performances despite a large contingent of new members in the ensemble.