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
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- Charleston intensiveCourse start date: Sat 19 Jul 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Rosaria SativaBuild a foundation of basic dance skills on this fun intensive which will have you dancing the energetic Charleston. You will be dancing to original jazz music from the 1920s and 30s as well different music styles to show that you can dance the Charleston to almost any beat.Full fee £99.00 Senior fee £99.00 Concession £69.00 - Jazz repertoireCourse start date: Sat 19 Jul 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Cerys Hogg, Della RhodesEnjoy playing and improvising on familiar and new jazz repertoire in a mixed ensemble. For players with substantial experience of jazz playing, ear training techniques and harmony study. Tunes will be announced and charts sent out two weeks in advance of the course. Rhythm section places are available for guitar, piano, bass and drums. - 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 - Flute and clarinet choirCourse start date: Sat 26 Jul 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Lindsey FillinghamOpen to intermediate/advanced flutes and clarinets to play ensemble pieces in a range of styhles. Great for sight-reading and ensemble skills! Alto flute, piccolo, Eb and bass clarinets welcome. - Mime: workshopCourse start date: Sun 27 Jul 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Sean CroftThere’s so much more to Mime than the striped jumper, beret and box!
The course will cover basic techniques in Mime towards developing and creating worlds alongside opening your body up to expressionistic styles. Through technique and improvisational based classes we will play and explore some of the most renowned exercises in Mime and build on them. Engaging your imagination and developing your awareness of your body as a tool for theatre craft.Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £69.00 Concession £48.00 - Come and sing: Mamma miaCourse start date: Sat 2 Aug 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Siobhan Blake, Richard Hartley-WilsonCome and sing all your favourite ABBA songs from the wildly popular jukebbox musical Mamma Mia at our friendly weekend workshop. There will be oppurtunities for solos over the weekend.Full fee £129.00 Senior fee £129.00 Concession £90.00 - Contemporary dance intensiveCourse start date: Sat 16 Aug 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Francis AngolThis is a three-evening intensive in contemporary dance fusion. Learn how to express your physicality in a dynamic fashion and gain basic knowledge of the main principles of contemporary dance, with influences from other techniques. General level - suitable for both beginners and improvers. - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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
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