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
- Screen acting: advancedCourse start date: Wed 30 Apr 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Gary GrantThis is a practical and intensive screen acting course, designed for students to learn how to create characters and be at their best when working within difficult and pressurised circumstances. Ideal for those who have previously studied screen acting and are planning to make the leap into finding work. Also for those who have already broken into the industry but want to make sure they’re at their best when on set.Full fee £299.00 Senior fee £299.00 Concession £209.00 - Clarinet advanced workshopCourse start date: Mon 28 Apr 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: George SleightholmeThis course is for students who have a minimum of five years' experience on clarinet (playing at grade 6 standard or above), come and work on both technique and solo repertoire and enjoy some group playing. Offered every term. Break weeks 5 May & 26 May 2025.Full fee £229.00 Senior fee £229.00 Concession £160.00 - Classic jazz guitarCourse start date: Mon 15 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Martin WheatleyIf you have played jazz styles and are familiar with some standard tunes, this course will develop your technical and musical skills in 'comping', soloing, and playing with others.Full fee £219.00 Senior fee £219.00 Concession £153.00 - Classical singing: advanced workshopCourse start date: Mon 15 Sep 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Hakan VramsmoExplore the rich repertoire of classical song and develop expressive and communicative skills. This workshop is for experienced classical singers (at least five years' tuition). Click the pink Start Your Interview button, and the Music Department will contact you to arrange authorisation to enrol. Break week 27th October 2025.Full fee £319.00 Senior fee £319.00 Concession £223.00 - Piano/keyboards 4ACourse start date: Tue 16 Sep 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Edward HendersonFor pianists with around three years' experience. Improve your finger technique, coordination, phrasing, music
reading, and your confidence.Full fee £219.00 Senior fee £175.00 Concession £153.00 - Music theory: counterpoint 1Course start date: Tue 16 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Selena KayExplore the art of counterpoint, a musical technique in which two or more melodies are combined to create a highly
engaging musical texture. Over the year you will learn contrapuntal technique from Renaissance to Twentieth Century styles, through score analysis and practical exercises. The course is split into three terms, focusing on Renaissance style in term 1. Break week: 28 Oct 2025. - Piano: workshop 8
Course start date: Tue 16 Sep 2025Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Gisela MeyerIf you play piano at around grade 8 standard, join one of these workshops to develop your playing by studying a wide repertoire, learning to make your own stylistic and interpretive decision under your tutor's guidance. Break week 28th October 2024. - City Lit wind ensemble: advanced Course start date: Tue 16 Sep 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Pamela Pecko SmithExplore the wonderful repertoire for mixed wind ensemble, developing your technical, musical and ensemble skills. You need to play an orchestral wind instrument at grade 5 standard or higher. To apply for the ensemble please click the pink 'Start your interview' button and someone from the music department will be in touch. Break week 28th October 2025.Full fee £219.00 Senior fee £219.00 Concession £153.00 - Saxophone 5Course start date: Tue 16 Sep 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 jazz and popular music and you will occasionally rehearse sax ensemble arrangements.Full fee £219.00 Senior fee £219.00 Concession £153.00 - Cello advanced workshop Course start date: Tue 16 Sep 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Una BirtchnellA group cello class for those who have been playing for at least four years, and are at least Grade 5 standard. You will explore solo and ensemble repertoire, play in all clefs and in positions including thumb position. This course is offered every term. Break week 28th October 2025.Full fee £219.00 Senior fee £219.00 Concession £153.00 - Violin and viola workshopCourse start date: Tue 16 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Robert PuzeyA course for those who have been playing for around 4 years. You should demonstrate confidence in the first 3 positions and show some confidence in 4th position. You should be developing a good sound quality with the bow and be able to work with a variety of bowing techniques. Break week 21 Oct 2025.Full fee £219.00 Senior fee £219.00 Concession £153.00 - Piano: advanced workshop Course start date: Thu 18 Sep 2025 (and 7 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Petros MoschosCity Lit's most advanced, regular classes are for advanced pianists, whether performers or specialist teachers. This course is designed to continue to develop your technique, broaden your repertoire and increase your understanding of piano playing to the highest level.
Entry to this course is subject to audition with the Head of piano. If you are interested in joining this class, please apply using the pink button; someone will be in touch with you to arrange an audition.
Break week 29th October 2025.Full fee £379.00 Senior fee £379.00 Concession £265.00 - Reading English literature aloud: early 20th centuryCourse start date: Wed 17 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Vernon ThompsonCome and enjoy reading aloud passages from novels by early 20th century writers in our Wednesday reading group. Set texts will be A Handful of Dust- Evelyn Waugh, and The Birds and Other Stories- Daphne du Maurier. This unique course contains vocal warm-ups; discussion of novels, weekly prepared readings and sight reading skills. - Classical guitar: advanced Course start date: Wed 30 Apr 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Tony RowdenFor experienced classical guitar players. Practise scales and arpeggios at grade 7 and 8, and fingerstyle versions of Baroque, Latin and contemporary music.Full fee £199.00 Senior fee £199.00 Concession £139.00 - Piano: repertoire workshopCourse start date: Wed 17 Sep 2025 (and 8 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Shelagh SutherlandIf you have a minimum playing standard of grade 8, come and explore the wealth of piano repertoire, concentrating on style and period. Broaden your interpretive skills and gain experience in performance practice. Break week 29th October 2025.Full fee £379.00 Senior fee £379.00 Concession £265.00
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