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: grade 7Course start date: Mon 15 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Simon RigbyLearn more complex elements of music: figured bass, melodic and harmonic decoration, writing for instrument or voice with given accompaniment, and score analysis of harmonic and phrase structure, style, performance and directions. Break week: 26 Oct, Dec 01 until return on Jan 12.Full fee £369.00 Senior fee £369.00 Concession £258.00 - The saxophone story
Course start date: Mon 22 Sep 2025Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Albi GravenerHow did a musical joke became arguably one of the most distinctive and expressive of all instruments? We will focus on this strand within the history of jazz but not exclusively. - Keyboard harmony 5A Course start date: Mon 22 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Ricardo GosalboA practical workshop for classical pianists who are new to studying harmony but have piano skills of grade 5 or higher. Broaden your understanding of piano repertoire by studying the underpinning harmonic constructs. It is recommended to complete all 3 modules (A, B and C) in preparation for the Keyboard harmony & Piano Performance Workshop. Break week: 27 Oct 2025.Full fee £269.00 Senior fee £215.00 Concession £188.00 - Big Band: from 1920s Chicago to London 2000sCourse start date: Mon 3 Nov 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Albi GravenerWe will explore the history and evolution of the big band and large ensemble in jazz throughout the 20th century.Full fee £89.00 Senior fee £71.00 Concession £62.00 - Great works: Bach's Christmas OratorioCourse start date: Mon 8 Dec 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Edward BreenDiscover Bach’s Christmas Oratorio. Learn about the forms of this work and the history behind the first performances.Full fee £29.00 Senior fee £29.00 Concession £29.00 - Music theory: diploma topics 2Course start date: Mon 12 Jan 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Simon RigbyExplore the music theory topics equivalent in standard to the first year of an undergraduate degree. The topics in this module are selected from the Trinity Associate (AMusTCL) syllabus. Prepare for this exam, or just develop your knowledge. This term: Prescribed works. Mid-term break: 16 Feb 2026. - Keyboard harmony 5B Course start date: Mon 12 Jan 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Ricardo GosalboA practical workshop for classical pianists who are new to studying harmony, but with piano skills of grade 5 or higher. Taught on individual keyboards, this module focuses on the rudiments of harmonic analysis (keys, chords, chord progressions, etc.) and its relevance to approaching piano music. You will broaden your understanding of piano repertoire by studying the harmonic constructs that underpin them. It is recommended to complete this 3-module course in preparation for the Harmony & Piano Performance Workshop. Break week: 16 Feb 2026.Full fee £269.00 Senior fee £215.00 Concession £188.00 - The essential history of jazz in 20 cutsCourse start date: Mon 12 Jan 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Albi GravenerThrough a selection of 20 iconic albums, we will study the key figures, the innovators and the star soloists of 20th century jazz, as well as some important artists you might be less familiar with. Break week: 16 Feb 2026.Full fee £269.00 Senior fee £215.00 Concession £188.00 - Great works: Arvo Pärt's PassioCourse start date: Mon 30 Mar 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Edward BreenEstonian composer Arvo Pärt (b.1935) is one of the most frequently performed classical composers of our times. Explore his setting of St John’s passion and learn about his compositional techniques.Full fee £29.00 Senior fee £29.00 Concession £29.00 - Music theory: diploma topics 3Course start date: Mon 20 Apr 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Simon RigbyConsolidate your knowledge of music theory topics equivalent in standard to the first year of an undergraduate degree. The topics in this module are selected from the Trinity Associate (AMusTCL) syllabus. Prepare for this exam, or just develop your knowledge. This term: Exam technique and preparation. Break weeks: 04 and 25 May 2026. - Keyboard harmony 5CCourse start date: Mon 20 Apr 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Ricardo GosalboA practical workshop combining keyboard harmony and pianistic technique for classical pianists with a starting standard of grade 6. This advanced 6-module course is taught at the keyboard and takes a historical approach to harmony and technique. We discuss separate eras and their corresponding harmonic developments in each self-contained module, along with main points of evolution in pianistic technique. NB: no classes on bank holiday Mondays (4 & 25 May 2026).Full fee £269.00 Senior fee £215.00 Concession £188.00 - Piano/keyboards 5CCourse start date: Mon 28 Apr 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Simon AtkinsFor pianists with around four years' experience. Improve your finger technique, coordination, phrasing, music
reading, and your confidence. Break weeks: 6 May & 27 May 2024.Full fee £199.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £139.00
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