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
- Fretted instruments ensembleCourse start date: Mon 12 Jan 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Martin WheatleyAn ensemble class for players of any fretted instrument: guitar, banjo, ukulele, mandolin, banjo, bass guitar or any other! There will be individual parts for each player suited to their abilities; together we will play all sorts of music. This course is for experienced players, the ability to read one of the following will be necessary: chord symbols, tablature or musical notation. Challenging and fun - the music/repertoire will be tailored to your various abilities.
Full fee £219.00 Senior fee £219.00 Concession £153.00 - Music theory: counterpoint 2Course start date: Tue 13 Jan 2026
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. Through analysis and practical exercises, you'll learn to write effective counterpoint in the tonal style, focusing on the Baroque period. Leads to part 3 next term. Scheduled break week: 17 Feb 2026. - Accents: Standard English level 2Course start date: Tue 13 Jan 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Jonathan MulquinThis intermediate course is focused on studying the sounds and rhythms of Standard English in connected speech. What are the rules when putting sounds together when speaking fluently? How do these sounds create the accent and its rhythm?
This course is not for speakers of other languages who should take English Pronunciation courses instead. Although it is a follow-on course, it is also a complete course in itself.Full fee £129.00 Senior fee £129.00 Concession £90.00 - Voiceovers: advancedCourse start date: Fri 27 Feb 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: David ThorpeExpanding on the skills mastered in the Improvers course, you will gain deeper experience in microphone and voiceover techniques, working towards a higher professional standard. This more challenging course will provide you with a focused range of audio/voiceover materials. - Music theory: counterpoint 3Course start date: Tue 21 Apr 2026
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. This term will focus on imitative forms including invention, canon and fugue, as well as analysing examples of counterpoint in repertoire from the Baroque period to Twentieth Century. Break weeks 26th May 2026. - Violin and viola 5
Course start date: Tue 29 Apr 2025Location 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 27th May 2025.Full fee £179.00 Senior fee £179.00 Concession £125.00 - Stanislavski workshop Course start date: Tue 29 Apr 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Juliet PragueDrawing on Stanislavski’s system you will gain skills to extend your physical, vocal and emotional expression. Suitable for students who wish to work with greater authenticity and depth in their acting. Explore the principles of psychological realism pioneered by Stanislavski and developed by the Method practitioners to enrich and enhance your performances and characterisations in this supportive and expressive environment.Full fee £279.00 Senior fee £279.00 Concession £195.00 - Acting Shakespeare Course start date: Wed 30 Apr 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Robert CavanahRehearse scenes and speeches from various Shakespeare's plays. Create vivid performances that are both true to life and true to Shakespeare’s language. - Piano repertoire Course start date: Wed 30 Apr 2025 (and 1 other date)
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: 29 May 2024.Full fee £349.00 Senior fee £349.00 Concession £244.00 - Piano/keyboards 4CCourse start date: Thu 1 May 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: David FrankelFor pianists with around three years' experience. Improve your finger technique, coordination, phrasing, music
reading, and your confidence.Full fee £229.00 Senior fee £229.00 Concession £160.00 - Cabaret workshop (intensive) Course start date: Thu 10 Jul 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Richard Hartley-WilsonDevelop your cabaret performance skills in this lively, engaging workshop. Learn to transition between speech and song to create a meaningful cabaret sequence. Please click the pink Start Your Interview button on the right, and you will be contacted by the Music Department. This class is limited to 10 students to enable enough one to one tuition.Full fee £199.00 Senior fee £199.00 Concession £199.00
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