Meet the inclusive and award-winning dance company named Northamptonshire’s best gym and fitness business
Meet the inclusive and award-winning dance company, which recently added to its accolades by being named Northamptonshire’s best gym and fitness business.
Joanne Banham Dance Company took the top spot at the Northants Life Awards 2026 and it meant a huge amount to them, particularly as the company has grown from the belief that dance should be welcoming, accessible and full of joy no matter your age or experience.
Joanne Banham launched the venture, which she describes as her “childhood dream”, in August 2024. Having been a dancer since her childhood, she decided this was the right time to settle down and launch a business after concluding her show work and travelling.
“I started dancing as young as I can remember, in styles like freestyle and rock and roll,” Joanne told the Chronicle & Echo. “I started ballroom and Latin, and was headhunted in 2018 for the 2019 series of Dancing with the Stars in the Netherlands.
“That was a cool experience and then Covid hit. I came back to the UK and a student of mine with downs syndrome got spotted for Britain’s Got Talent and made the semi finals in 2023. We had a viral video that took off online with about 30 million views after that, and we were back on TV talking about the benefits of dance for people with SEN and other disabilities.”
Joanne offers dance classes for people of all ages and levels, specialising in ballroom and Latin. She describes it as an inclusive, accessible and joyful community, providing students the chance to compete nationally and internationally if they wish.
The founder is proud that JBDC offers something for everyone and operates across the county from Weston Favell all the way down to Brackley. Joanne teaches up and down the A43 in areas like Towcester, Syresham and Blisworth, and JBDC is mobile with no studio of their own to get out into the community as much as possible.
“They love being able to dance in a space that’s fun and they don’t feel judged,” said Joanne, when asked what feedback she has received from attendees. “They can be themselves as it’s very supportive and encouraging with an inclusive feel.”
JBDC was named best new business at the Northants Life Awards 2025, and is proud to continue that success into 2026 when it was named the best gym and fitness business in the county – as well as making the final in the best small business and kids activity categories.
This autumn, the dance company is bringing Strictly Brackley Town Juniors to the market town for the first time. There are 21 young people who will take part, learn to dance and perform in a Strictly-style show at Brackley Leisure Centre on November 22.
The event is raising money for two worthy local causes, childhood cancer charity Freddie’s Future and Katharine House Hospice. More than £500 has already been raised and training does not begin until October.
Having hosted four years of the adult equivalent which raised more than £60,000 for charity, Joanne decided it was time to switch things up and let her young students partner other children in the community this year.
“I hope we continue to grow and hopefully offer more opportunities for shows, workshops and connecting people through dance and movement,” said Joanne. “We have less contact post-Covid and people crave human connection. Dance does that and it’s exactly what society needs.”