The Little Dance Academy has arrived in Wandsworth, perfect for every local little mover and shaker who’s ready to strut their stuff and grow in confidence.
To find out more about their dance classes and what brought them to SW18, we caught up with LDA’s co-founder Laura.
How did The Little Dance Academy come about?
The story of The Little Dance Academy really began when myself and Katie, the founder, met while performing together in New Zealand. We quickly became friends, sharing a love of performing and teaching dance.
Katie moved to London in 2015 and, a couple of years later, The Little Dance Academy was born.
Katie reached out to me for last-minute teaching cover at The Little Dance Academy and what was meant to be a three week opportunity has turned into six years and the opening of the first LDA franchise in NW London.
I’ve now been running the NW London classes for eight years, and I’m excited to take the next step by expanding The Little Dance Academy into Wandsworth.
What made Wandsworth an ideal space for you?
Wandsworth felt like a natural next step for The Little Dance Academy because it’s such a family-centred community. I love how welcoming and vibrant the area is, with so many families looking for creative and fun activities for their children.
Tell us about your dance classes.
Whether your little dancer is a budding Ballet Bunny, a talented Tapping Penguin, a Bop’n Bear with style, or a dedicated Drama Lion; they will feel inspired at LDA. Our classes are unforgettable, adventurous, bursting with creativity, and our talented teachers will carefully guide your little dancer through their first dancing steps.
We love to have fun, we love to use our imaginations, and we aren’t afraid to be a little silly at times too! Through all that we do, we hope to foster a long-lasting love of dance in your little one, and fill them with confidence to take on the world.
What age range do you teach?
We currently offer dance classes for your little dancers from 18 months to five years.
If The Little Dance Academy Wandsworth had a theme song, what would it be?
“Better When I’m Dancing” by Meghan Trainor
What’s the most popular dance move at the moment?
Our ballerinas love twirling in their tutus, while Bop classes are full of sassy pouts, funky poses, and energetic bop bounces. Every class has its favourite moves!
Does dance help kids grow in confidence?
Yes! Dance helps children grow in confidence, especially at this pivotal age when they are developing their sense of self. Through movement, music, and fun performances, they build coordination, express themselves freely, and gain a strong sense of achievement in a supportive environment.
What would you say to a parent or guardian who’s thinking of signing up their little one?
If you’re thinking about signing your little one up, I would say come along and give it a try! Our classes are designed to be welcoming, relaxed, and full of fun, so there’s never any pressure on children to get everything “right”.
At this age it’s all about exploring movement, building confidence, and enjoying the magic of music and imagination. Seeing little dancers grow in confidence week by week is one of the most rewarding parts of what we do.
What makes you different from other dance schools?
At The Little Dance Academy, our focus is on nurturing confidence, creativity, and a love of movement from a very young age. Our classes are carefully designed to combine dance with storytelling, imagination, and play, creating a magical experience for every child.
We keep our classes small and personal so each little dancer feels seen, supported, and encouraged. It’s not about perfection – it’s about building joy, confidence, and a lifelong love of dance.
What’s your favourite thing about Wandsworth?
Wandsworth has such a wonderful sense of community. There are so many lovely green spaces, family-friendly cafés, and activities for little ones, which makes it such a fantastic place for families to live and spend time together.
It feels like the perfect place to bring The Little Dance Academy, and I’m really excited to become part of the local community here.
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