Both classes are 90 minutes long and begin with approximately 45 minutes of barre work. In the second half, the Beginner Technique class focuses on centre work, while the Beginner Variation class dives into set choreography, practicing a routine over four weeks. This structure provides greater continuity within the variation class.

If your primary goal is to build strength, control, coordination, and balance, the Technique class is perfect for learning and refining ballet fundamentals (barre and centre work). If you’re more excited to develop musicality, artistry, and explore the storylines and characters of classical ballets, the Variation class will suit you better.

You can definitely attend both classes, as they complement each other well! Participating in both the Beginner Technique and Beginner Variation classes allows you to focus on refining your foundational skills while also exploring choreography and expressing your artistic side. Many students find that attending both enhances their overall ballet experience and helps them progress more quickly. If you plan to attend both, check out the Packages on our Booking page, as this will work out more economical.

In this case, we would highly recommend starting with one of Absolute Beginners classes. We expect some familiarity with ballet terminology, technique and barre work at the beginner level.

If you have prior experience but are unsure about your suitability, don’t be discouraged! The best thing to do would be to try one class and see how you find it! Often, in beginner ballet classes, some students have been practicing at this level for a while - and they become more experienced over time. But our beginner classes are structured to accommodate a range of abilities within the beginner level, and having more experienced students in the class can be helpful for support and inspiration. So if one of these classes intrigues you, definitely come and try it out!

Simply wear comfortable clothing that allows you to move freely and without restriction. Soft ballet shoes are recommended (you can buy these from Capezio or Bloch in Covent Garden). But if you don’t have ballet shoes for your first lesson, socks will be sufficient.

Our Beginner Technique and Variation classes operate on a termly basis, typically consisting of 12-week terms. On average, about half of the students in our classes are enrolled for the full term, while the other half of the spaces are reserved for drop-in students. Therefore, you can certainly drop in without committing to a full term if you’d like to try out the class. If your schedule is unpredictable and you can only attend on an ad hoc basis, you are welcome to drop in to classes as well. Book your class HERE.

Unfortunately we do not accept walk-ins or cash payment on the day. Our classes are very popular and typically sell out. To ensure your spot in class, we recommend booking in advance via our website booking page.

This is an important question. Progress in ballet can vary significantly from person to person, depending on factors like your previous experience, how often you attend classes, your personal goals and private practice between lessons. Generally, if you attend classes consistently, you may start to notice improvements in your strength, flexibility, and technique within a few months. Many students see noticeable progress within a term (around 12 weeks).

Importantly, progress can happen within the same level class. You don't need to jump to intermediate to demonstrate your growth. Instead, you can opt for harder options and modifications within the Beginner class, allowing you to challenge yourself and build confidence at your own pace. Advancing to higher level classes or mastering more complex movements can take longer, often requiring months or even years of dedicated practice. For children, it can take up to 10 years! We encourage adults to push themselves without rushing the process - ballet is an art of patience and lots of practice!

If you attend either the Beginners Technique or Beginners Variation class, you can challenge yourself by attending the other session. Each Beginners class has a different focus and will develop different skills. The Technique class will challenge you more in terms of pacing and getting familiar with an open class format and multiple centre exercises. While the Beginner Variation class allows for more repetition (because of it’s focus on set choreography), it is a great challenge for learning how to sequence movements, listen to the music and dance expressively.

Remember, focusing on YOUR personal growth and enjoyment of the art form is just as important as any milestones. We encourage you to celebrate small victories along the way! When you are ready, you can consider trying out the next level by attending one of our Improvers Masterclasses.