From care worker to dancer

Mother-of-three Fiona Zeyfert gave three ten-minute performances in front of an audience.

Fiona, 54, worked with a choreographer to develop the show, commissioned by Brighton organisation South East Dance.

She works as a duty manager at a sheltered housing scheme in Court Road, Lewes.

She told The Argus that performing in front of the residents was more nerve-racking than the night itself.

She said: "I did it for them a couple of weeks before the performance.

It certainly provoked a lot of interesting reactions."

Fiona and choreographer Virginia Farman were chosen from more than 40 applicants for the project, dubbed Lone Dances.

Her performances, Still Life with Fiona, were inspired by drawings by Matisse.

She gave an informal performance at The Nightingale Theatre, above the Grand Central bar, opposite Brighton station, in front of 12 artists who gave feedback.

Finally, Fiona danced at the tenth anniversary celebrations of South East Dance last month.

Afterwards she wrote in her blog: "I can't thank Ginny enough for bringing out something in me that I scarcely knew I had.

"My friends are amazed at what I have been doing.

"I'm usually quite shy and very reluctant to put myself forward, but everyone I've told has been very enthusiastic.

"I do hope this will spread to involve many others - I can't think of a better way to celebrate life."

Fiona's only previous experience of dance was in a group in a community project in Lewes.

She said: "I have loved every minute of the rehearsals.

"I'm fitter now than I was before."

Fiona's children are 21, 24 and 25.

South East Dance, based in Kensington Street, Brighton, commissions and develops community dance projects and dance for film and live performance.

It plans to offer more opportunities for untrained performers to take part in Lone Dances.

Visit www.southeastdance.org.uk. Read more about Fiona's experiences at www.lonedances.blogspot.com.