Dancefest exists to enable anyone to experience the joy of dance
In our eyes everyone is a dancer, regardless of age, ability or experience.
Our work is about joining in – we run over 35 weekly classes across Herefordshire and Worcestershire. We have five community performance companies for all ages, including an inclusive company, and we lead projects in schools, colleges and universities and in community settings, such as residential homes.
Dancefest encourages curiosity - about contemporary dance, who dances, where dance happens - and many of our performances take place in unusual spaces and places.
We pride ourselves on delivering work of high quality that makes a genuine difference to people’s lives, all led by an experienced professional team.
We're a charity that relies on public donations and fundraising to continue our work. Dancefest is funded with public investment from Arts Council England and Worcester City Council, with additional support from Worcester Municipal Charities, The Bransford Trust, William A Cadbury and Eveson Charitable Trust.
Rose Beeston - Director
Michele Holder - Access and Inclusion
Elizabeth Crosswell - Adults
Janene Wyatt - Children (on maternity leave from Jan 2018)
Charlotte Hale - Children (maternity cover Jan-July 2018)
Clare Wood - Young People
Karey Parsons - Marketing Officer
Paul Bellamy - Administrator
We have a team of an experienced, professional dance teachers.
Dancefest has a skilled and dedicated board of trustees.
We're grateful to all the people and organisations we collaborate with throughout the year, especially our creative and supportive volunteers.
Our vision is that dance makes a difference to people’s lives.
Our mission is to be an outstanding community dance organisation.
Read our vision, mission and values
Dancefest want people to find joy in dance through being confident and creative participants.
Our highly skilled community dance leaders use contemporary techniques, creative and choreographic skills to work with people of all ages and abilities in a range of settings.
Read our full artistic statement
Helen Stallard, the Chair of Dancefest’s board and a Communications Consultant, has been talking to people who come (or used to come) to our classes, to celebrate their achievements and also help other people see how they can get involved with Dancefest. You can see their stories here.
‘Thank you for all of your work and the inspiration you give both teachers and children’ – Teacher, Leominster Primary School
‘It was good to be a part of a project like this and made all of the rehearsals worthwhile – very rewarding’ – Big Jigsaw participant
‘I think that everything Dancefest offers is excellent! The chance to be part of a huge community of dancers of all ages and all abilities who are dancing because they/we love it!’ – Choreography class participant
‘We all look forward to our wonderful classes and to the enjoyment of being in each other's company’ – Chance to Dance participant
‘Good variety, lots of opportunities to go to performances and events’ - Audience response
‘Making friends through the process of having fun and performing, doing something I enjoy’ - Class participant
‘Fantastic'- great fun and I feel part of a big family called Dancefest!’- Worcester DFY participant
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