Dancers already arrive in a room clothed in swagger and confidence. Perhaps it’s the years of dancing underneath the spotlight, the crowd screaming their name, the blackout of letting the body speak on stage, or the high of music, body, and movement turning into one. Costumes rarely make a difference—baggy jeans, brassiere tops, gloves, heavy chains. They’re simply an extension of the performance.
But stiletto heels? They can change everything.
Heels, with a capital H when referring to the genre, is often associated with women, long serving as an expression of sensuality and femininity. But the dance form is not confined to either. For some, a pair of stilettos can be a tool for self-expression, confidence, and even transformation. MEGA spoke to choreographers Trisha Martin and Macky Quiobe about what happens when they step into heels—and who they become when they do.
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Finding Their Footing
A-Team dancer and choreographer Trisha Martin started dancing in heels during the pandemic. At the time, she was simply doing it for fun, even tripping along the way. It was only two years ago when she started to seriously learn the art of dancing in heels. Eventually, she found the confidence to teach her own Heels classes at Zero Studios.
Before dancing in heels, Martin’s focus was on Dancehall—a genre rooted in vibrant Jamaican music and movement. “In the two years of learning to dance in heels, I wanted to branch out of Dancehall. But what if I combined both Dancehall and Heels?” she explained.
Today, her Heels choreography has become an extension of her personal style, combining the fluid and unapologetic expression of Dancehall with the powerful, confident movement of Heels.
Filipino-Japanese choreographer Macky Quiobe, on the other hand, had ten years of experience as a ballet dancer, starting when she was only seven years old. To her, ballet and Heels aren’t all that different—with both requiring balance, control, and grace. The ballet slippers were simply traded for five-inch stilettos.
Encouraged by her mentor, the late Lema Diaz of The Philippine All Stars, she abandoned her plans to return to Japan and instead began sharing her knowledge of Heels with students in the Philippines. She eventually found her place in Zero Studios and The Playground, fostering a community where women and members of the queer community can feel empowered to move freely.
“I really enjoyed teaching, and now I have classes every week, sometimes twice a week. And thankfully, students want to learn from me,” Quiobe said.
Freedom in Femininity
“Aside from heels already being a difficult genre, I never imagined myself inspiring others,” Martin admitted.
It’s not only the choreography that makes her inspiring, but the movement itself—feminine, bold, and sensual. Her dancing has always been unapologetic since her Dancehall days; Heels simply added more pizzazz.
A life shaped by dance, Martin always thought she was a confident dancer, especially when she danced Femme. Despite the unsolicited comments she would receive about her body, she refused to let them diminish the confidence she found through movement.
“In a Heels class, you’re always surrounded with women and the gays, and they would wear super short shorts, sometimes just brassieres. And I thought, ‘Wow, it’s liberating to be in a Heels class,’” the choreographer recalled.
Since then, that is what she shares with her students: the ability to feel empowered and safe while dancing in stilettos and bare skin, especially when surrounded by people who support one another.
For Quiobe, however, Heels brought about a more intimate awakening. “Before I started teaching heels, I was a little awkward with myself. I knew I could dance well, but I knew I hadn’t reached my peak yet,” she said.
In her own way, Heels became part of her journey into the woman she is today. As she transitioned, the dance form gave her a space to become more comfortable with her femininity and sexuality—to explore them through movement. With every class and performance, Heels allowed her to see herself differently: more feminine, more expressive, and more at ease with the woman she was becoming.
“Heels is my life. I’ve already forgotten about some of the other styles I used to do because this is where I’ve chosen to focus. And I think my performance has changed so much because of the heels—it allowed me to express myself more,” Quiobe reflected.
Creating a Space to Move
When they dance in heels, they make it look effortless. The reality, however, is that it’s one of the most demanding forms of dance. It requires balance, lines, control, and flow, all while exploring sensuality, fluidity, and expression. It’s not something you can fake.
Thankfully, both Martin and Quiobe’s classes welcome beginners. For them, teaching Heels is just as much about creating a safe and supportive environment as it is about perfecting choreography.
“Observing my students, I feel like they’re scared to take my classes,” Martin laughed. “But I always tell them to try.”
After every session, Martin shares her early experiences with the craft—how she would often lose her balance and fall, as well as the lessons she learned from the classes she attended as a student.
“In a class setting, a teacher has to create a safe space. It’s not just about how they dress, but also about how you accept students at different levels.”
– Trisha Martin
Quiobe’s classes are also mostly made up of beginners, which she believes is partly due to the intimidating nature of the dance form.
“When they’re in my class, I really try to hype them up, to tell them not to be shy because this is a class, and I want them to express themselves,” she explained.
Once class has ended, Quiobe’s phone is often filled with thankful messages from her students. “I think it’s because I’m not strict,” she chuckled. “But I really just want them to enjoy what they’re doing. I hope that choreography isn’t the only thing I’m teaching them, but techniques, as well.”
Who We Become in Heels
They say dance brings out a different version of yourself. For Martin and Quiobe, Heels does exactly that—but perhaps it also reveals a version of themselves that was already there.
“When I wear heels, I become the best version of myself—the one that little Trish would be so proud of.”
– Trisha Martin
Martin feels a sense of liberation in Heels, becoming a version of herself that now inspires others. Heels has even become a ticket for her to travel the world.
“I feel so fulfilled. I’m just dancing, doing the things I love, and yet, I inspire people. I somehow can’t process how that happened,” she admitted.
For Quiobe, Heels has opened the door to a more honest and introspective version of herself—one that has allowed her to embrace a new chapter in her life.
“When I wear heels, I feel fearless. I feel like me.”
– Macky Quiobe
Featured Image and Photos: TRISHA MARTIN, MACKY QUIOBE
