In our Ballroom Dance Classes for Beginners, you will learn the basic steps and techniques of both Standard Ballroom and Latin Ballroom dance styles. The classes are great fun and taught in a friendly and supportive atmosphere by some of the UK's finest ballroom teachers.
This course is perfect for those with little or no ballroom dance experience, interested in learning the basics of a variety of styles and gaining the ability to socially dance each of them.
Not sure what to wear? Don't worry! We've put together a definitive guide on what to wear for your class!
What Is the difference between a Leader and a Follower
The leader is the dancer who gently shows where the movement will go. They give clear signals—using their hands, body, and timing—to invite the other dancer to move in a certain way.
- They start the dance.
- They decide when to step, turn, or change direction.
- They use body movement (not words) to guide the partner.
A good leader doesn’t force or drag—they move clearly and with care, like saying, “Let’s go this way together.”
The follower is the dancer who listens to those signals and responds with their own movement. They don’t guess—they feel the leader’s guidance and move with them, in the same rhythm and direction.
- They pay close attention to touch and timing.
- They follow smoothly, adding their own energy and style.
- They move with control, not just being led—they dance back.
A good follower is not passive—they are active, expressive, and always ready.
Yes! Anyone can be a leader or a follower. Some people learn both. It doesn’t depend on gender—just on who wants to guide and who wants to respond in the moment. In social dancing, partners sometimes even switch roles during the same song.
Ballroom Dance Classes for Beginners - Course Content
Within our Beginners Ballroom Dance Programme you will:
- Learn basics of a selection of Standard Ballroom Dances
- Learn basics of a selection of Latin Ballroom Dances
- Learn the techniques of leading and following
- Have the opportunity to dance with a variety of partners in a social atmosphere
- From nights out across London to weddings and other social events, you will be able to utilise your newly acquired dancing skills.
Upon completion of our Beginner Ballroom Dance Programme, you will have learnt basic steps and techniques necessary to socially dance six different ballroom dance styles.
Learn the Basics of Ballroom Styles
Get introduced to classic Standard Ballroom dances such as the Waltz, Quickstep, and Foxtrot. Learn their rhythms, basic steps, and how to move with grace and timing.
Understand Leading & Following
Learn the fundamentals of leading and following—how to communicate through movement, build trust, and work as a connected dance pair.
No Partner Required
Everyone is welcome—solo or with a friend. You’ll rotate partners during class, so no one is left out.
CLASSES STARTING SOON
| DATE | DAY | TIME (BST) | DURATION | TUTOR | VENUE | PRICE | BOOKING | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 May 2025 - 1 Jul 2025 | Tue | 18:15-19:30 | 7 weeks | Ksenia Zsikhotska | Sylvia Young Theatre School | £119.63 | Book Now Click the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
| 2 Jun 2025 - 21 Jul 2025 | Mon | 18:00-19:00 | 8 weeks | Jo Baiao | Dutch Church | £145.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
| 21 Jun 2025 | Sat | 10:00-17:00 | 1 day | Ksenia Zsikhotska | City Academy at 10 Herbal Hill | £89.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
| 8 Jul 2025 - 26 Aug 2025 | Tue | 18:15-19:30 | 8 weeks | Ksenia Zsikhotska | Sylvia Young Theatre School | £165.00 | Book NowClick the gift icon to gift this course | Book Now Gift this courseClick the gift icon to gift this course |
|
OUR APPROACH
This class will cover all the techniques necessary to learn this beautiful art form, steps are broken down for easy learning. Using creative choreography and strong rhythms you will develop a good understanding of the music whilst having fun. Improve body posture, movement and skills.
| DATE | DAY | TIME (BST) | DURATION | TUTOR | VENUE | PRICE | BOOKING | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 May 2025 - 1 Jul 2025 | Tue | 18:15-19:30 | 7 weeks | Ksenia Zsikhotska | Sylvia Young Theatre School, W1 | £119.63 |
Book Now
Click the gift icon to gift this course
|
Book Now
Gift this course
Click the gift icon to gift this course
|
|
| 2 Jun 2025 - 21 Jul 2025 | Mon | 18:00-19:00 | 8 weeks | Jo Baiao | Dutch Church, Liverpool Street | £145.00 |
Book Now
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|
Book Now
Gift this course
Click the gift icon to gift this course
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|
| Dances covered: Samba and Tango | |||||||||
| 21 Jun 2025 | Sat | 10:00-17:00 | 1 day | Ksenia Zsikhotska | City Academy at 10 Herbal Hill | £89.00 |
Book Now
Click the gift icon to gift this course
|
Book Now
Gift this course
Click the gift icon to gift this course
|
|
| 8 Jul 2025 - 26 Aug 2025 | Tue | 18:15-19:30 | 8 weeks | Ksenia Zsikhotska | Sylvia Young Theatre School, W1 | £165.00 |
Book Now
Click the gift icon to gift this course
|
Book Now
Gift this course
Click the gift icon to gift this course
|
|
| 28 Jul 2025 - 22 Sep 2025 | Mon | 18:00-19:00 | 8 weeks (no class 25 Aug) | Jo Baiao | Dutch Church, Liverpool Street | £145.00 |
Book Now
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|
Book Now
Gift this course
Click the gift icon to gift this course
|
|
| 29 Sep 2025 - 17 Nov 2025 | Mon | 18:00-19:00 | 8 weeks | Jo Baiao | Dutch Church, Liverpool Street | £145.00 |
Book Now
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|
Book Now
Gift this course
Click the gift icon to gift this course
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|
| 24 Nov 2025 - 26 Jan 2026 | Mon | 18:00-19:00 | 8 weeks (no class 22 Dec & 29 Dec) | Jo Baiao | Dutch Church, Liverpool Street | £145.00 |
Book Now
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Book Now
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Click the gift icon to gift this course
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Select your Entry Level:
PAYMENT OPTIONS
You are welcome to join the course up to the second class.
ONLINE & PHONE PAYMENTS
Online – To book your selected class/course online, just click Book Now next to your chosen class/course.
Phone – We would be happy to take your booking over the phone, just call us on 020 7042 8833 .
CASH & CHEQUE PAYMENTS
Cash - You are welcome to pay cash, just come and see us at our office: City Academy, 10 Herbal Hill, London EC1R 5EG.
If you book 2 or more different classes/courses at a time we can offer you a 10% discount. If you wish to take advantage of this offer please enter 2ORMORE in the promotional code box when booking online or quote code when booking over the phone. Please note that this offer cannot be applied when you are booking two or more of the same class/course.
INDUSTRY TUTORS
City Academy tutors are experienced artists and performers that work in the industry. If your tutor's availability changes at short notice, our team will arrange for a suitable replacement and notify you in advance.
CANCELLATIONS POLICY
We offer a full refund or full credit of your original course if you cancel at least 72 hours before the start of your booking.
We cannot offer any refund if you cancel less than 72 hours before the start of your booking, or if you do not attend.
(For more information please see our terms and conditions)
| DATE | DAY | TIME (BST) | DURATION | TUTOR | VENUE | PRICE | BOOKING | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 May 2025 - 1 Jul 2025 | Tue | 18:15-19:30 | 7 weeks | Ksenia Zsikhotska | Sylvia Young Theatre School, W1 | £119.63 |
Book Now
Click the gift icon to gift this course
|
Book Now
Gift this course
Click the gift icon to gift this course
|
|
| 2 Jun 2025 - 21 Jul 2025 | Mon | 18:00-19:00 | 8 weeks | Jo Baiao | Dutch Church, Liverpool Street | £145.00 |
Book Now
Click the gift icon to gift this course
|
Book Now
Gift this course
Click the gift icon to gift this course
|
|
| Dances covered: Samba and Tango | |||||||||
| 21 Jun 2025 | Sat | 10:00-17:00 | 1 day | Ksenia Zsikhotska | City Academy at 10 Herbal Hill | £89.00 |
Book Now
Click the gift icon to gift this course
|
Book Now
Gift this course
Click the gift icon to gift this course
|
|
| 8 Jul 2025 - 26 Aug 2025 | Tue | 18:15-19:30 | 8 weeks | Ksenia Zsikhotska | Sylvia Young Theatre School, W1 | £165.00 |
Book Now
Click the gift icon to gift this course
|
Book Now
Gift this course
Click the gift icon to gift this course
|
|
| 28 Jul 2025 - 22 Sep 2025 | Mon | 18:00-19:00 | 8 weeks (no class 25 Aug) | Jo Baiao | Dutch Church, Liverpool Street | £145.00 |
Book Now
Click the gift icon to gift this course
|
Book Now
Gift this course
Click the gift icon to gift this course
|
|
| 29 Sep 2025 - 17 Nov 2025 | Mon | 18:00-19:00 | 8 weeks | Jo Baiao | Dutch Church, Liverpool Street | £145.00 |
Book Now
Click the gift icon to gift this course
|
Book Now
Gift this course
Click the gift icon to gift this course
|
|
| 24 Nov 2025 - 26 Jan 2026 | Mon | 18:00-19:00 | 8 weeks (no class 22 Dec & 29 Dec) | Jo Baiao | Dutch Church, Liverpool Street | £145.00 |
Book Now
Click the gift icon to gift this course
|
Book Now
Gift this course
Click the gift icon to gift this course
|
|
Select your Entry Level:
PAYMENT OPTIONS
You are welcome to join the course up to the second class.
ONLINE & PHONE PAYMENTS
Online – To book your selected class/course online, just click Book Now next to your chosen class/course.
Phone – We would be happy to take your booking over the phone, just call us on 020 7042 8833 .
CASH & CHEQUE PAYMENTS
Cash - You are welcome to pay cash, just come and see us at our office: City Academy, 10 Herbal Hill, London EC1R 5EG.
If you book 2 or more different classes/courses at a time we can offer you a 10% discount. If you wish to take advantage of this offer please enter 2ORMORE in the promotional code box when booking online or quote code when booking over the phone. Please note that this offer cannot be applied when you are booking two or more of the same class/course.
INDUSTRY TUTORS
City Academy tutors are experienced artists and performers that work in the industry. If your tutor's availability changes at short notice, our team will arrange for a suitable replacement and notify you in advance.
CANCELLATIONS POLICY
We offer a full refund or full credit of your original course if you cancel at least 72 hours before the start of your booking.
We cannot offer any refund if you cancel less than 72 hours before the start of your booking, or if you do not attend.
(For more information please see our terms and conditions)
-
Sylvia Young Theatre School, W1
1 Nutford Place, -
Dutch Church, Liverpool Street
7 Austin Friars, -
City Academy at 10 Herbal Hill
City Academy, 10 Herbal Hill,
All City Academy tutors are experienced professionals from theatre, film/TV and performance industries. So whilst they're training you they may also be rehearsing for a West End show or working on a movie. We like that and we do believe it makes a difference in class.
Continue your journey
After you have completed your course - we recommend continuing your journey on one of the following courses:
ENJOY WITH FRIENDS OR COLLEAGUES
City Academy delivers bespoke workshops for groups and teams! Enjoy this course at a time and place to suit you. Whether you're a group of friends or a team looking for a creative activity, get in touch to explore ideas today.
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