The London Academy of Dance

The London Academy of Dance brings dance training, movement classes, and fitness activities together at a Southwark studio. Founded in 2007, the academy works with adults at different levels, from people who have never danced to students preparing for competition. Its program combines technique, social practice, and wellness, whether someone wants to learn a first step, improve a style, or maintain a movement routine.

Dance classes include ballroom, Latin American, tango, and social styles such as salsa and bachata. The school offers group classes and private lessons: one-on-one instruction can focus on specific goals, while group sessions combine technique, practice, and shared learning. The academy says beginners do not need a partner to join, which is useful for anyone who wants to start without arranging a dance partner first.

The school also choreographs wedding first dances. Lessons start with the couple’s chosen song, experience, and the space available at the venue, then build a routine they can practice with confidence. In addition to in-person lessons, the academy offers online classes, corporate programs, and preparation for performances or event entertainment.

Away from the dance floor, fitness and wellness options include Pilates, barre, yoga, and Zumba. The website also lists prenatal and postnatal activities, programs for families and children, and red-light therapy. Schedules and availability vary by activity; the online timetable shows which classes are offered on a particular date.

The academy says its instructors have current or former competitive-dance experience and professional teaching qualifications. It is affiliated with the International Dance Teachers Association (IDTA) and the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD). These affiliations connect the training to professional dance organizations; students should still choose a class that matches their level and goals.

The studio is also available to rent for classes, rehearsals, workshops, auditions, and filming. The room has mirrors and a sound system, and the facility offers elevator access, mats and props, as well as showers, restrooms, and a kitchen. That setup gives teachers, companies, and organizers a place for activities beyond the academy’s regular schedule.

The studio is inside the TradeStars building on Copperfield Street in Southwark, postal code SE1 0EA; TLAD occupies basement unit B1-03. Enter from Copperfield Street and, when reception is closed, use the intercom and select the basement units. According to the academy’s directions, Southwark, Borough, and Waterloo East stations are about a five-, nine-, and eleven-minute walk away. Building reception is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; those are not class hours.