The Diamente Dance Academy thrilled a packed audience with an energetic performance inspired by the musicals in their very first show.

The academy, which is based in Chelmsford, is run by Natasha Fellowes who, in the run up to the show, admitted she was quite nervous about how it would go as it was the first full show she had choreographed.

But Miss Fellowes, 24, need not of worried as her student, both young and old performed to perfection, stunning the audience at the Civic Hall in Blackshots Lane, Grays, with a range of styles and musical genres.

They were also joined by special guests the Southend Dance Centre. 

Miss Fellowes, who also danced during the show, said: "I'm so proud of everyone that took part especially those who had never performed on stage before.

"It's a nerve wracking experience and everyone danced their socks off and were like absolute professionals.

"Even the audience took part dancing the jive during audience participation and the whole room was buzzing!

"There was only one wardrobe malfunction and that was with myself during a very quick change, when the clip on my dress wouldn't do up so the children on stage did an amazing job of improvising for longer than we had planned to do.

"Being on stage again myself was fabulous, I love performing and haven't done as much since opening my dance studio so was great to go back to what I used to do when I was younger and at school.

"I feel like I come alive when the dresses are on and the stage is lit up with an audience watching and waiting in suspense."