Performing Arts Courses & Classes in London and Online
City Lit offers performing arts courses in the heart of Covent Garden in Central London during the evening, daytime and at weekends. Explore our range of subjects including acting, (including accredited acting courses), dance, radio and screen, and voice, speech and communication as well as a full range of music courses, such as piano, singing, strings and wind instruments to jazz and pop, music technology, music theory and history
Our courses are labelled clearly for beginners or those with previous experience and you can speak to a specialist advisor to help you choose the right level. If you would you like some help or advice:
For music courses email music@citylit.ac.uk. You can also view our music auditions and advice page.
For drama, dance and speech courses email drama@citylit.ac.uk
- Storytelling: tell your personal storyCourse start date: Sun 11 May 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: John EastmanTell your own personal story to others, and in so doing gain some perspective on how past events have shaped your life and how they will affect your future, while at the same time inspiring and informing others about life choices. The course will take place in a safe environment in the college.Full fee £229.00 Senior fee £229.00 Concession £160.00 - Acting: improvers
Course start date: Thu 1 May 2025 (and 5 other dates)Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Deirdre Strath ClydeContinue your development as you explore a range of exercises and acting techniques that will illuminate and enliven a variety of scripts and scenes. Consolidate techniques and deepen your understanding in a safe and supportive atmosphere.Full fee £279.00 Senior fee £279.00 Concession £195.00 - Pentatonics and beyond: improvising in popular musicCourse start date: Sat 19 Jul 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: David HarrisonStudy how to improvise in popular music. These two practical sessions are for players of any instrument. Get to grips with improvisation in this exploration of common scales and approaches to improv in pop, rock, blues, folk and jazz. We’ll look at blues scales, pentatonics, extension notes and more to help you get the most out of your improvisation.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £79.00 - String ensemble Course start date: Tue 29 Apr 2025 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Robert PuzeyCome and play string repertoire in a friendly group, and develop your confidence in ensemble playing. Suitable for those who have been playing violin, viola, cello or double bass for at least two years, playing at Grade 3 standard or above. Please click the 'start interview' button to apply. This is to make sure we have a balanced array of instruments for our ensemble. Break week 27 May 2025.Full fee £179.00 Senior fee £179.00 Concession £125.00 - Saxophone 5Course start date: Sat 3 May 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: David HarrisonMaintain and extend your playing skills and musicianship in our advanced course. Repertoire is pop, jazz, and world music, and you will rehearse sax ensemble arrangements.Full fee £199.00 Senior fee £199.00 Concession £139.00 - Saxophone 4Course start date: Tue 29 Apr 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Sarha MooreFor experienced saxophone players, come and extend your technique, musicianship and performance skills in this workshop. We will play jazz and pop music, solo and as an ensemble, developing musicianship skills, and improvisation.Full fee £199.00 Senior fee £199.00 Concession £139.00 - The holistic voiceCourse start date: Sat 20 Sep 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Kate MontagueYour voice should be an extension of your character. This Saturday workshop offers accessible and empowering mind-body techniques to deepen your awareness and connection to your voice so that the message you give out is true to your intention.Full fee £99.00 Senior fee £99.00 Concession £69.00 - City Lit Big BandCourse start date: Sat 3 May 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Simon HenryOur ensemble for proficient jazz players to improve and maintain sight reading and section work, playing music from the classic era of Big Bands plus contemporary and original arrangements. New applicants should contact music@citylit.ac.uk to check vacancies and arrange an audition.Full fee £189.00 Senior fee £189.00 Concession £132.00 - Sing jazz 1Course start date: Wed 30 Apr 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Laura ZakianImprove your singing technique and solo performance and learn some standard repertoire and jazz protocol. Explore style, develop good timing and phrasing, breath control, and extend your vocal range. Not suitable for beginner singers.Full fee £259.00 Senior fee £207.00 Concession £181.00 - Drumming 4ACourse start date: Sat 20 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Mark HuggettOur advanced class is a great chance to practise all the essential popular grooves. Enhance and maintain your technique, listening, reading and stamina. Break week: 1st November.Full fee £259.00 Senior fee £259.00 Concession £259.00 - Jazz harmony and ear training 3ACourse start date: Sat 20 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Della RhodesIn this advanced course you will develop your aural, harmonic and rhythmic sense through the study of jazz standards, improvisation and transcription. Most sessions will involve playing as an ensemble, guided by aural skill and academic knowledge.Full fee £219.00 Senior fee £219.00 Concession £153.00 - Sing jazz: advancedCourse start date: Tue 6 May 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Laura ZakianFor established singers with a sound technique and proven experience of singing jazz and Latin styles. Develop your solo performance and expand your repertoire in masterclass format. You will be required to prepare repertoire of your choice on a weekly basis. This course welcomes also intermediate level jazz singers who can pledge to keep up with the weekly song preparation.Full fee £229.00 Senior fee £183.00 Concession £160.00 - Flamenco: beginners and improvers Course start date: Sat 3 May 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Danielle AllanA friendly intensive class, that focuses on the confident execution of Flamenco dance with pleasure, passion and panache. This course is geared towards beginners (more experienced students wishing to revise the basics are also welcome). Performance opportunities throughout the year.Full fee £189.00 Senior fee £189.00 Concession £132.00
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