Jazz Dance

What Is Jazz Dance?

Jazz dance has its roots in African American vernacular movement traditions and developed through the twentieth century alongside jazz music, evolving into a theatrical performance style widely used in Broadway, musical theatre and commercial entertainment.

The style is characterised by isolation of body parts, dynamic energy, syncopated rhythm and a strong emphasis on personality and performance quality. Key techniques include jazz walks, kicks, turns and leaps.

Modern jazz incorporates influences from contemporary dance, hip hop and commercial choreography, making it one of the most versatile and widely practised styles in performance training.

Learning Jazz Dance in London

Jazz dance is a core component of musical theatre and commercial dance training in London. The city's thriving theatre industry sustains a high demand for trained jazz dancers, and the style is taught extensively across dance academies and performing arts schools.

From West End productions to commercial music video work, jazz-trained dancers are in constant demand in London's professional performance sector.

Jazz dance classes in London are available at all levels across the city. Beginner sessions introduce fundamental technique while advanced classes focus on performance quality, competition choreography or musical theatre application.

Many studios include jazz within broader performing arts programmes alongside ballet, tap and contemporary dance.