Judy Mapledoram is a musician  who loves sharing her passion for dancing and music through ceilidh dancing classes and leading Barnbuskers Ceilidh Barn Dance Band

Born in Somerset but brought up in other far-flung places such as Swindon and Cornwall, Judy discovered her passion for English Country dancing at a very early age through weekly attendance at a local English Country dancing club in Swindon. Coming from a musical family, she quickly learned the violin from her father, which led her to play the violin in her teens with the Cornwall Youth Orchestra. Over the years, bringing up a family, she has not lost her passion for music and now has two grown up children, Ryan and Laura, who also share her love for music, playing violin, guitar and many other string instruments.

With a ready made band of family members, it was inevitable that Judy would eventually form a band. Barnbuskers Ceilidh Barn Dance Band with Ryan and Laura as early members realised her ambition.

Soon after,  they were joined by Judy’s partner,  Robin Watson, who plays an assortment of wind instruments. Sometimes it feels as if he has a new one to learn every week!

Later, Rob Veale, Judy’s brother, also a talented violinist joined the band.

As time passed, the band has grown in popularity, adding musicians who share Judy’s passion for creating exciting country dance music. Barnbuskers now regularly provides music and dance callers throughout Somerset and Devon for weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, corporate events and open to the public ceilidhs and barn dances.

However, at these many special events, people would often ask where they could enjoy the ceilidh experience on a more regular weekly basis and it was with this thought that Judy founded the Barnbuskers ceilidh barn dance exercise classes.

As Judy says, ‘Ceilidh barn dancing is a fun and social way to get some regular exercise, without the pain of an exercise class! You can wear your usual clothes – just make sure you are wearing comfortable shoes. The music is cheerful, bouncy and really easy to skip along to. The dancing is social, great exercise and a wonderful way to keep fit. No previous experience is needed as ceilidh classes are for beginners. You might think you can’t dance, but this is different, as each dance is explained, and instructions called out as you go along.’

And what is Judy’s ambition for the future? Unsurprisingly, she would like folk music and English Country dancing ceilidh exercise classes to be part of everyone’s life so that everyone can enjoy it as much as she does. To contact Judy and join her in that journey, simply follow the link to ceilidh exercise classes, or for a ceilidh band for your anniversary, birthday, wedding or other ceilidh barn dance event, or just keep up to date with Barnbuskers through social media