Influx Dance Company has been committed to creating, performing and teaching a diverse and exciting range of contemporary dance in the south west region. Influx consists of graduates from the Laban Centre London (one of the leading contemporary dance schools in Europe) and was established by Joanne Willmott and Nicola Penfold who brought the company to the south west in 2001. All dancers are experienced performers, teachers and curators.

Artistic Director, choreographer, teacher and performer

Joanne founded Influx Dance in 2001 after graduating from the Laban centre London. Joanne returned from London to Somerset where Influx became company in-residence at the Tacchi-Morris Arts Centre. Here she created a range of dances for the company which performed across the UK. She became artistic director of TYDC in 2002 and has created over 25 dances for the group.

Joanne gained her GTP in secondary education in 2004 and taught at Heathfield Community School as a dance and drama teacher, as well as delivering community projects and directing youth theatre. In 2005 Joanne visited India and collaborated with a teacher of Bharata Natyam in Chennai. She also participated as a choreographer in the international dance festival Facets 2006. It was here that Joanne created ‘New Journeys’ a site specific piece in Bangalore. In 2006 Joanne directed a healthy eating TIE for Primary schools: ‘Lucy landing and the junk food zombies’. Joanne received a mentorship with Siobhan Davies awarded by Dance South West. She is now choreographing a piece for the new tour Arrival working with Bawren Tavaziva and Yael Flexer.

Co-founder, teacher and performer

Nicola Penfold is a dancer and teacher with Influx performing in projects which are: theatre based, site-specific and film orientated. In addition to this Nicola carries out work as a freelance dance artist. She has worked with the reputable Wise Moves dance company for over six years delivering workshops and performing across the country in a variety of disciplines. Through visiting primary and secondary education she creates youth choreography for students participating in “Planet Steps” a performance celebrating world dance.

In 2005 Nicola spent time in New York City carrying out further professional development in Contemporary, Street Jazz, Capoeira and African dance. She continued this development in India studying Bharata Natyam in Chennai as well as performing as part of Facets International Dance Festival (2006) in Bangalore. Nicola gained her qualified teacher status while teaching in Further Education as an Associate Lecturer on a variety of dance courses, this insight allows her to teach making strong links between the professional dance world and the curriculum.

"Nikki’s enthusiastic, committed and energetic approach to the art of teaching and choreography is without fail exemplary and inspirational"
Junior Jones: Wise Moves Dance Company (2007)