A GROUP of rock choir singers have described their first time performing to a big audience as “life-changing”.

Over 70 members of the Woodford and Wanstead Rock Choir took part in a feel-good performance of rock songs at the Sir James Hawkey Hall in Woodford Green on Sunday (July 24).

From Bon Jovi’s Living on a Prayer to more contemporary hits by artists like Jess Glynne, the Woodford and Wanstead rock choristers had all 200 members of the audience “dancing on their feet”.

Rock Choir leader Christina Dmytryk Clark said: “It was such a fantastic evening. Everyone was up on their feet dancing all the way through and everyone left with a smile on their face.

“For a lot of our members it was their first time performing in front of a live audience.

“Even now I keep getting emails from people saying how much the performance has improved their confidence and how they can’t sleep because they’re still buzzing.”

All 320 rock choirs that spread across different communities throughout the country share the same ethos of improving self-confidence and community spirit.

Singer Lesley Moghaddassi said: “Rock choir has completely changed my life.

“The weekly sessions give me such joy and some of the friends I have made will be friends for life.

“A performance like Sunday, giving us the chance to show what we can do, was really the cherry on top of the cake.”

Another singer Annie Solomon added: “My first performance with the rock choir was the most exhilarating experience.

“It’s such an uplifting thing to do with all the misery around in the world, and we raised money for a special local charity too – what more can you ask for?”

As well as improving singers’ confidence, Sunday’s performance also raised £615 for Haven House Children’s Hospice in Woodford Green.

Choir leader Christina said the fundraising total “exceeded all expectations” and she was “delighted” to have raised hundreds of pounds for a local cause.

She said: “I have done charity performances with my other rock choirs around London and they’ve only raised half of what we did on Sunday.

“One of our members suggested we support Haven House because they have helped them in the past and they’re a great local cause.”

Haven House's chief executive Mike Palfreman thanked all the choristers for their efforts.

He said: "We would like to congratulate everyone at the Woodford and Wanstead Rock Choir for raising funds for Haven House.

"It’s always great to see young people in our community supporting local life-limited children and their families."