10 Best Dance Classes In London
Commercial Dance at Seen on Screen
If you’ve watched Beyoncé’s Homecoming performance on repeat for the last week, then you need to get yourself down to Seen on Screen’s dance classes to master the art of diva dancing. Whether you’re a booty-popping novice or someone who knows their pops from their locks, the hugely popular classes take well-known routines from our favourite artists and show you step-by-step how to master them. The classes are made for people of all levels and are taught by professional dancers who have worked with the likes of Beyoncé, Little Mix, Drake Rihanna and Taylor Swift, to name but a few. And the idea behind the classes will make you want to sign up even more: founder Bonnie Parsons started Seen on Screen to make them feel more confident and inspired – so grab your heels and get to it!
Where: Various venues across London
Price: One class, £15; one workshop, £20
Visit SeenOnScreen.Dance
Ragga Dancehall at Gymbox
Channel your inner Rihanna and ready to whine your body, shake your booty and wriggle your hips with a Jamaican inspired Ragga Dancehall class at Gymbox. Inspired by the dance halls and underground clubs of the Caribbean, Ragga is an empowering and expressive dance style – not to mention a pretty great workout.
Where: Gymbox at Holborn, Old Street and Westfield Stratford
Price: Classes inclusive in Gymbox membership (members only)
Visit Gymbox.com
City Academy
City Academy
City Academy
Belly Dancing at City Academy
Shakira was right when she said “hips don’t lie” – but even if you can’t shake and shimmy with the best of them just yet, City Academy’s belly dancing class will get you up to scratch. Their class will take those complex torso movements which helps build core muscle strength and make them fun – essentially, you’re shimmying your way to a stronger body. Not only that, but the class will help you improve your posture, co-ordination and confidence.
Where: 38 Rosebery Avenue, London, EC1R 4RN
Price: One-hour class, £15
Visit City-Academy.com
Burlesque at City Academy
If you fancy something a bit saucier, City Academy also has Burleque dance classes on its books. Whether you just want to try a few dance classes or book onto a burlesque performance course, these sessions will help you to unleash your sensual side and liberate your body – just don’t forget your fan of feathers.
Where: 38 Rosebery Avenue, London, EC1R 4RN
Price: 12-week course, £265; one-hour class, £15
Visit City-Academy.com
Salsa at Caramelo Latin Dance
If it’s something smoother you’re after, then Latin dance school Caramelo at the Paddington Academy is the place you need to be. Its class timetable offers everything from salsa to the cha cha cha, so if you’re a bit unsure about what kind of Latin dance you’d like to get really good at, this is a good chance to discover what each involves.
Where: Paddington Academy, 50 Marylands Road, W9 2DR
Price: Four-week course, £45; one-day intensive, £60
Visit CarameloLatinDance.co.uk
Seen On Screen
Caramelo
Seen On Screen
Swing at Swing Patrol
Lindy hop, jive and jitterbug your way through classes with the ever-friendly Swing Patrol, who have venues all across London. Their teachers specialise in the lindy hop, but there’s also sessions for the Charleston, blues and balboa. And if you’re flying solo, don’t worry – the group is in constant rotation, so no one’s ever left on their own, and their social dances ensure you’ll get to know everyone in no time.
Where: 6-10 Dunston Street, London, E8 4EB
Price: £10 per class
Visit SwingPatrol.co.uk
Northern Soul at Northern Soul Dance
It looks joyful and relatively easy, but Northern Soul is actually quite the skill to master. The Northern Soul scene came into its own in the 1970s, but still has a massively dedicated following to this day. The hardest part of mastering the dance is knowing that there’s no formal rules to it – it’s basically sliding one foot whilst you swivel on the other, but all whilst keeping good posture and never looking down, so even the simplest of steps can require the utmost concentration.
Sharon Sullivan has been teaching Northern Soul for 11 years, and is a member of both the British and International Dance Council. She regularly runs Northern Soul dance workshops across London for dancers at all levels and abilities, and even holds one-to-one private lessons for those who are serious about learning.
Where: Various venues across London
Price: £65 for a one-hour, one-to-one private lesson; £20 per person for a group class
Visit NorthernSoulDance.co.uk
Voga at House of Voga
This is yoga, but not as you know it – taking the slow, peaceful dance moves and giving them a pinch of sass, Voga fuses the mindfulness discipline with dance in a way that feels funky and fresh, complete with 80s house music. Equally as beneficial for beginners as it is for well-versed yoginis, no one would be intimidated having a go at a session or two and it’s a fun way to get fit and flexible. The Classic class is 45 minutes, but there are also Madonna specials, silent discos, and packages for hen parties.
Where: Various locations across London
Price: £15 for one-hour class
Visit HouseOfVoga.com
Swing Patrol
House of Voga
City Academy
Barrecore at Barrecorre
We’re big fans of Barrecore, here at SL. For toning, strength and increased flexibility, you can’t beat a barre class – and with fans ranging from Millie Mackintosh to Suki Waterhouse, the ballet-based workout seems to do the trick. Inspired by the barre exercises that give ballerinas their enviably strong and toned physiques, the classic Barrecore workout focuses on isometric movements – small, pulsing motions repeated at intervals – to increase flexibility, strength and build lean muscle. Many of the moves are taken from yoga and Pilates and also incorporate classic free weight and body weight exercises.
Where: Various locations across London
Price: £28 per class
Visit BarreCore.co.uk
World Dance at Danceworks
If you just can’t decide what kind of dance to take up – Bollywood or salsa? Flamenco or afrobeats? – then Danceworks has it all. It labels itself as an “inclusive environment for all forms of dance of the highest quality”, so no matter whether you’re a dance aficionado or keep tripping over your two left feet, their fleet of experienced dancers will whip you into shape. With a packed schedule, you can dance your way around the world in a week.
Where: 16 Balderton St, Mayfair, London W1K 6TN
Price: £8 per class
Visit DanceWorks.net
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