Upside Down Dance Academy is a dance school known for its Afrobeats classes, offered both in person and online. It reaches dancers wherever they are, having built a loyal community around its virtual sessions as well as physical ones. The academy suits anyone keen to explore Afrobeats and similar styles in a friendly, flexible way.
Reviewers describe a welcoming, family-like atmosphere where people come to learn but also to enjoy themselves and make friends. The team earns particular praise for smooth online booking and support, and for classes that kept members motivated when meeting in person was not possible.
The academy is best known for Afrobeats, teaching the rhythms, grooves and choreography of the style to dancers at different levels. Whether you join a physical class or dance along from home over video, the sessions are structured to be followed by beginners and enjoyed by more experienced movers. The flexible online format makes it a convenient way to keep dancing around a busy schedule.
For an in-person class, wear comfortable clothing and trainers you can move in freely; for an online session, clear a little space and have a device set up where you can see the teacher. Newcomers are supported through booking and joining, so the first class is easy to navigate.
Because much of the teaching runs online, you can take part from home wherever you are, with in-person classes also available.
My first time doing online dance classes AND my first time doing Afrobeats!
This dance academy have great customer service. The team helped with my online booking, let me join a private Whattsapp group for communication and send links to the Zoom class to my inbox and phone efficiently before class.
The classes themselves are exactly what I wanted. I am a beginner so it helps to have the name of each step, it’s meaning and the country it is from explained.
The dance routines at the end mean we end on a high. GOOD energy and VIBES!
If you want to learn in a fun, friendly, professional an— Evelyn Francourt
The best dance company I've ever been to, and I've tried a few!
The atmosphere is welcoming and friendly, people are there to learn but also have fun, I've made good friends here and it really feels more like a family than just classes!
I've only done the afro-beats classes so far, but the teachers Pierre, Corri and Sammy are all amazing, patient, and will help you grow and improve, not just focusing on a routine.
During lockdown they really made an effort to keep online classes going which helped to break up the week
Honestly can't wait to try out some of the other dance classes they off— Nnebs
To everyone at USD.. THANK YOU! I really enjoyed going to the physical classes before lockdown (Mathew is a great teacher) and am now finding the online classes fantastic too! The classes truly kept me going through lockdown and gave me lots to practise and enjoy. The teachers are all really friendly, they make complicated steps easy and I finally feel like I can dance! Thank you so much! Just wish you had classes nearer to me in NW London. Can you expand closer to me??? I wish!? But in the meantime the online classes keep me going, until I can get down to Waterloo again. Thanks again 🙂— Sophie Johnson
The philosophy behind this studio is what sets it apart from all the rest, to bring the best teachers who never make it awkward or uncomfortable regardless of your level and class after class bring out the very best in every student. It has been a year for me with USDD and I cannot imagine myself ever leaving. If you want to make new friends, meet genuinely nice and cool people, all while improving your dance skills in a very supportive environment, then it would be a shame for you not to come along!— Oleg Kurbatov
Yes, Afrobeats and many other styles are danced solo, so no partner is needed. This makes it easy to join in on your own, whether in person or online.
Comfortable clothing you can move in and supportive trainers are ideal for Afrobeats. For online classes the same applies, with a little clear floor space to move around.
Costs depend on whether a class is in person or online and whether you book singly or in a package. Contact the academy directly for current pricing.
Afrobeats is a great beginner-friendly option thanks to its infectious rhythms and solo format. In general, the best style is one whose music you genuinely enjoy.
Many adults enjoy energetic, sociable styles such as Afrobeats that double as good exercise. Picking something fun makes it much easier to stick with.
Light dancing can be an enjoyable form of gentle activity, but anyone with heart failure should check with their doctor first. Medical advice should guide how much is safe.