Heels Dance

What Is Heels Dance?

Heels dance is a performance-oriented style often associated with music videos, stage shows and commercial choreography. Its roots trace back to early twentieth-century burlesque and showgirl performance, and it re-entered mainstream culture through the heeled choreography of artists like Madonna, Janet Jackson and Beyoncé. The technique blends elements of jazz, commercial dance and street styles while incorporating movements designed specifically for dancing in heels.

Balance, posture and controlled movement are key aspects of the style. Choreography often emphasises fluid transitions, strong lines and expressive performance. In London specifically, heels classes are frequently taught alongside — or inside — pole dance studios, since the two disciplines share a similar performance vocabulary and audience.

Heels Dance vs Pole Dance

Heels and pole dance are closely linked in London specifically — many heels classes are taught inside pole studios and share a similar performance style — but they are distinct disciplines.

Benefits of Heels Dance

Who Is Heels Dance Suitable For?

Learning Heels Dance in London

London has become one of Europe's leading centres for heels dance, with many studios offering specialised classes taught by professional choreographers and performers. The style is especially popular in central London dance studios, where dancers train for commercial performances, music videos and live stage productions.

A distinctive feature of London's heels scene is how closely it overlaps with pole dance studios. Akila Pole Studio, founded by Akila Cristiano, runs a dedicated "total beginner friendly" heels class alongside more advanced flow and tricks-focused sessions. RYSKY Pole Dance Studio offers both "Heels and Spin" and "Heels Pole Choreo" classes for intermediate dancers, and Savage Pole Studio combines heels choreography directly with pole work (heels recommended, though dancing in socks is also accepted). For a heels programme built around commercial and jazz choreography rather than pole, Elevate with Eleni, led by instructor Eleni Koutis, teaches heels alongside hip hop, lyrical and commercial styles for dancers of all levels.

Heels dance classes in London usually focus on learning choreography in a supportive studio environment. Many sessions begin with technique exercises that help dancers move safely and confidently in heels.

Classes are typically open to a range of levels, with beginner sessions focusing on posture, balance and basic movement patterns before progressing to more advanced routines.

Heels Dance FAQ

• Do I need experience in heels before my first class? +
  No. Dedicated beginner heels classes teach balance and basic technique from the ground up, and many studios allow you to dance in socks or bare feet while you build confidence.
• What heels should I wear to a heels dance class? +
  A stable platform or character heel is generally recommended over a thin stiletto, especially for beginners — check with the studio, as some sell or rent suitable shoes.
• Is heels dance the same as pole dancing in heels? +
  Not quite, though in London the two are closely linked — many heels classes are taught inside pole studios and can include pole work, while others focus purely on floor choreography. Check the class description if you specifically want one or the other.
• How much does a heels dance class cost in London? +
  Drop-in classes typically cost £15–£25, in line with specialist commercial and pole-adjacent studios across the city.
• Is heels dance difficult if I've never danced in heels before? +
  It takes some adjustment, which is exactly what beginner classes are structured around — balance and posture are built progressively before any full choreography is introduced.
• Are heels classes only for women? +
  No. London's heels studios generally welcome dancers of any gender, and several explicitly frame their classes around inclusive, body-positive self-expression rather than a specific look.
• What should I bring to a heels class besides the shoes themselves? +
  Fitted, stretchy clothing so your teacher can see your lines, plus knee pads if the class combines heels with any pole or floor work.
• What's the difference between heels, commercial and sexy style dance? +
  They overlap heavily — "heels" specifically refers to choreography built for dancing in heels, while commercial and sexy style are broader labels for the performance aesthetic; many studios use the terms loosely and interchangeably.