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
- 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. - Jazz harmony, ear training and ensembles: intermediateCourse start date: Tue 6 May 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Cerys HoggPractise ear training, study jazz harmony, and learn to play challenging repertoire in term 3 of this substantial course. For able players with established jazz education at foundation level. New applicants may apply to be assessed for entry by contacting music@citylit.ac.uk.Full fee £429.00 Senior fee £429.00 Concession £300.00 - 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. - Listening to the 20th century 1Course start date: Tue 16 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Edward HendersonUsing Alex Ross’s 'The Rest is Noise' as a guide, we'll investigate art music in the first half of the 20th century. This module covers Mahler’s last symphonies, fin de siècle Paris and the Ballet Russes, and Expressionism and the Second Viennese School. Break week: 28 October 2025.Full fee £269.00 Senior fee £215.00 Concession £188.00 - Dance 60+Course start date: Tue 29 Apr 2025 (and 5 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Francis AngolJoin our weekly dance and movement classes to improve mobility, posture, balance and coordination. Our aim is to inspire older men and women to get creative with dance and movement.Full fee £179.00 Senior fee £143.00 Concession £125.00 - 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 - 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 - 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 - Recorder ensemble: advanced Course start date: Wed 30 Apr 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Caoimhe de PaorIf you are already experienced in recorder ensemble playing, join this small, friendly group to develop your ensemble skills playing Renaissance, Baroque and contemporary music. Break week: 28 May 2025.Full fee £279.00 Senior fee £223.00 Concession £195.00 - Piano: advanced workshop Course start date: Wed 30 Apr 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: 29 May 2024.Full fee £349.00 Senior fee £349.00 Concession £244.00 - 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. - Clarinet repertoire workshopCourse start date: Wed 17 Sep 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: George SleightholmeThis course is for students who have a minimum of four years' experience on clarinet (playing at grade 5 standard or above), come and work on both technique and solo repertoire and enjoy some group playing. Offered every term. Break week 29th October 2025.Full fee £219.00 Senior fee £219.00 Concession £153.00 - Acting for radio and podcast dramas: advancedCourse start date: Wed 17 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: David GoodersonSeeking work in Radio Drama? Explore microphone techniques and acting skills for radio at a higher level. Exclusively for those who have completed Acting for Radio Beginners and Improvers courses or have previous relevant industry experience. This course will be taught in our media studio. - Ballet pointe: improversCourse start date: Wed 30 Apr 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Dilek TaptikRefine, stregthen and challenge your pointe work. With expert guidance you will gain greater confindence and build on your technique as we explore more complex combinations at the barre and in the centre. Working safely and with correct alignment are at the core of what we do so to get the most out of this course you should have attended regular ballet classes and pointe work for at least 12-18 months.Full fee £179.00 Senior fee £143.00 Concession £125.00
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