On Saturday 25th April Joy Simmonds took Bromyard by storm by putting on a spectacular song and dance show that wowed a packed auditorium at Bromyard’s Conquest Theatre.

Joy Simmonds is a local dance teacher who includes Belly Dancing, Indian Bangra and Burlesque dancing in her repertoire. Holding classes in and around the Bromyard area, Joy not only teaches but also inspires her students to be courageous, trying out new genres and experiencing the full joy that dance evokes.

When Joy dances she is infectious and she has made it her goal to help people of all ages and backgrounds to ‘break free’ from their inhibitions and to enjoy life to the full. Joy said, “ I not only want to give people the opportunity to dance, I want to help inspire and support local people who have a talent for singing or playing an instrument. I contacted a friend, Clare Foster, who is a Social Enterprise adviser and she encouraged me to set up a Social Enterprise that would support local people. We decided that a showcase for local singers and dancers would be a great way of raising money which could then be used to purchase instruments or pay for lessons”.

Clare commented “Joy is an amazing lady who is very committed to her students, by putting on the showcase she has given local dancers and young singers a wonderful opportunity to perform to a large audience. I thoroughly enjoyed the show, it had something for everyone and I know it will inspire those in the audience to join a dance class”.

Taking part in the show and giving a wonderful display of the different styles of dance were the ladies from Joy’s dance group, the Golden Valley Modern & Latin Dancers and the Dakota & Silver Horseshoe Line Dancers. The audience also were treated to brilliant solos from Claire Weaver and Sharon Moult and the wonderful Ewan Onions played guitar and sang one of his own songs as well as a cover version of “All I Got” by Newton Faulkner.

Joy had the full support of her family, with daughter India and friend Chelsea selling raffle tickets and her incredibly supportive husband Chris who compared the evening and had the whole audience in fits of laughter.

The event raised over £600 and Joy has already started working on the next production, which will be at the conquest later this year.

To find out more about the Social Enterprise – Dance for Joy or to join Joy's classes please call Joy on 07788 135373