At LDA, we provide a comprehensive dance and acro education, with extra opportunities for students to advance their training and pursue their passion. We focus on teaching the fundamentals of dance while motivating students to excel both at LDA and beyond. Students can enhance their training with syllabus, creative, and specialist classes, as well as other exclusive LDA opportunities for further growth. We also offer a full timetable of adult classes for both beginner and experienced dancers.
Please see our available classes below:
ISTD SYLLABUS CLASSES
CLASSICAL BALLET
Classical ballet is a traditional, formal dance style that follows classical ballet techniques. Ballet helps develop technique, posture, poise, grace, and alignment. It also encourages self-expression, artistry, and musicality. Optional grade examinations are available.
Ballet Prep (Ages 3+)
An introduction to classical ballet, music, and movement. These are independent classes, not parent-and-toddler sessions.
Classical Ballet (Ages 4–18)
Classes follow the I.S.T.D Classical Ballet syllabus, with added creativity and musical focus.
Pointe Work (Specialist Class, Year 8+)
Students ready to progress to pointe work will be invited to join a specialist pointe class.
Progressing Ballet Technique (Specialist Class, Year 6+)
A form of ballet Pilates designed to help students understand the correct muscles for alignment and posture. Using equipment like Pilates balls and therabands, students develop awareness of weight placement and engage the correct muscle groups.
LDA is proud to announce that we are the Hertfordshire Affiliate School of The London Ballet Company for 2024-2026
MODERN
DANCE
Modern dance is popular in theatres and musical productions worldwide, ranging from lyrical to jazz styles. While it includes technical exercises, it is a freer, more upbeat style than ballet. It focuses on core strength, alignment, flexibility, musicality, performance, use of space, and travelling movements. Dancers are also encouraged to express emotions that match the style of music.
Modern Dance (Reception+)
Classes follow the I.S.T.D Modern syllabus, with optional grade examinations.
TAP
DANCE
Tap dance is a fun and energetic style where dancers wear shoes with taps to create rhythmic patterns. It’s excellent for building coordination, rhythm, and confidence.
Tap Dance (Reception+)
An introduction to tap dance steps, using instruments to explore rhythm and timing. Classes follow the I.S.T.D Tap Dance syllabus, with optional grade examinations.
Rhythm Tap (Advanced, Approx. Year 9+)
A more complex class inspired by American-style tap and rhythms, designed for advanced tappers.
JAZZ
DANCE
Jazz is a style of modern dance that encourages individuality and originality. It is energetic and fun, featuring quick footwork, big leaps, and sharp turns. Jazz is typically performed to upbeat, modern music and is a highly lively and dynamic class.
Jazz Prep (Year 3+)
For younger dancers, Jazz Prep focuses on learning basic jazz positions and technique, while building strength, flexibility, and an understanding of fundamental movements.
Jazz Dance
Following the I.S.T.D Jazz syllabus with optional medal tests. Jazz can be taken as a standalone class, but students benefit greatly when taken alongside Modern Dance as they share similar techniques.
Advanced Jazz
Once students achieve Gold Jazz, they can join Advanced Jazz. This free class explores West End repertoire, audition techniques, and a variety of jazz dance styles.
DEVELOPMENT CLASSES
CONTEMPORARY
DANCE
Contemporary Dance (Year 3+)
Contemporary dance is an expressive style that combines elements of modern, jazz, lyrical, and classical ballet. It connects the mind and body through fluid movements and focuses on versatility, improvisation, floorwork, fall and recovery, and exploring movement and physical theatre.
Contemporary Creative (Specialist Class, Year 7+)
This class focuses on choreography, improvisation, and technique. It is ideal for students studying or planning to study GCSE/BTEC Dance, as well as those who enjoy the creative side of contemporary dance. The class builds confidence, skills, and the ability to create choreography and improvisation, while reinforcing the work from technical Contemporary classes. It is designed to be taken alongside a technical Contemporary class, either with LDA or at school.
STREET
DANCE
Street Dance (Year 3+)
Street dance is an energetic and dynamic style of informal dancing. Classes are creative, blending original hip-hop moves with modern commercial styles set to the latest music. Street dance is a popular style, often seen on social media.
MUSICAL THEATRE
Musical Theatre (Year 3+)
Musical Theatre classes focus on dance and acting. Students will explore the dance styles used in musical theatre and learn how dance numbers and scenes are created. They will try a variety of dance styles while developing performance skills and expression to match the genre.
SPECIALIST CLASSES
ACRO
DANCE
Acro (Year 2+)
Dancers perform acrobatic tricks on a hard stage, and must train the body to be able to withstand the impact of the hard floor. Dancers don’t get the “rebound” action out of a hard floor like gymnasts do out of a spring-floor. Therefore, dancers must train to get the necessary lift from their bodies to safely make their tricks look light and effortless. Emphasis on a strong ‘hub” (hips, glutes, core), and full extension through the body up into the air, is a must for an acrobat to be able to perform tricks that flow effortlessly through their dance.
PBT
Progressing Ballet Technique (Year 6+)
Elevate your dance technique with Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT), a groundbreaking body conditioning and strengthening program meticulously crafted to enhance proficiency across not only all dance forms but also in the realms of yoga and Pilates. Distinguished by its focus on training muscle memory, PBT employs ballet-specific exercises, providing a graded and progressive approach from junior to advanced levels
