A DANCE enthusiast in charge of an inclusive dance company is hoping to inspire people to express themselves through performing on stage.
Everyone Deserves The Chance To Dance (EDC Dance) held its second showcase event at Queen Mary's College, in Basingstoke, on Saturday, March 23 with more than 150 dancers taking part.
EDC Dance is an inclusive dance company, working throughout Hampshire, Berkshire and Surrey, providing dance opportunities for all ages - regardless of age, ability, or disability.
It holds dance classes in the Basingstoke area including in Hook and Sherborne St John.
The company director Kayleigh O'Connor told the Gazette she has always loved dancing and hopes to inspire everyone to get involved.
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She has completed a post graduate diploma in community dance at Trinity Laban Conservatoire and received a First Class Honours Degree in dance from Teesside University.
Kayleigh has been teaching in more than 15 primary schools for the past three years.
She said: "I am so unbelievably proud of all of our amazing EDC dancers. Getting on that stage and performing to a sold out audience, no matter their abilities, difficulties or challenges and putting on a fantastic show. I am extremely happy to have you all in our EDC dance family."
When asked why she thinks it's important to encourage everyone into dance, the 29-year-old added: "To give them a chance to express themselves in physically challenging ways to support health and wellbeing and to be free from the rest of the world while letting lose and enjoying yourself.
"It helps to improve confidence as seen by our 150 amazing dancers performing to a sold out audience and helps improve mental health and gives a feeling of belonging."
She said everyone who comes along always feels like they are involved.
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Each session is filled with fun, learning and exercise and the sole purpose of the classes is to engage everyone with dance. During a lesson this is achieved through learning taught dance material, creating own movement sequences and working as a group to build and create routines.
It offers sessions in primary schools, community centres and churches.
Click on the gallery to see all the best photos from the day.
For more information about how to get involved visit edcdance.co.uk.
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