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: score reading and analysis level 6Course start date: Fri 1 Aug 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Learn to navigate the musical scores, analyse basic structures (harmonic, motivic, and contrapuntal), and identify several baroque stylistic characteristics through the study of Bach: Partita no. 6 in E minor, BWV 830.
NB: this course has a scheduled lunch break of 1 hour
Tutor: Dr Cheryl Tan [external website].Full fee £59.00 Senior fee £59.00 Concession £59.00 - Piano: intermediate to advanced practice clinic
Course start date: Mon 4 Aug 2025Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Phillip LeslieExplore the foundations of good practice and how to prepare for performance. These classes offer you the opportunity to address key technical, musical and physical challenges at the keyboard within a musically diverse and supportive group.Full fee £89.00 Senior fee £89.00 Concession £62.00 - Great works: Beethoven's Symphony No 9 "Choral" Course start date: Tue 5 Aug 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Katy Hamilton, Trish ShawBeethoven’s monumental ninth symphony, first performed in 1824, has had an enormous impact on western classical music and on wider European culture. How did Beethoven come to write this work, and what does this symphony still mean to us two centuries after its first performance?Full fee £39.00 Senior fee £39.00 Concession £39.00 - Great composers: Gilbert and SullivanCourse start date: Tue 5 Aug 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Katy HomdenCreators of arguably the most popular and enduring opera in the English language from the 19th century, this course will introduce you to Gilbert & Sullivan’s musical legacy via biographical study and operatic highlights. tutor: Katy HomdenFull fee £59.00 Senior fee £59.00 Concession £59.00 - 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 - Music theory: diploma topics 1Course start date: Mon 15 Sep 2025
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. You may use this course as part of your preparation for this exam, or just to develop your knowledge. This term: Musical skills. Break week 27th October 2025. - Piano/keyboards 5ACourse start date: Mon 15 Sep 2025
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. - Tap dance: improversCourse start date: Mon 28 Apr 2025 (and 5 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Jacqueline PertPractice and improve your basic Tap skills and increase your vocabulary of steps and sequences. Gain a greater understanding of rhythm, tempo and syncopation. Suitable for students of all ages with good general fitness. Tap shoes are essential.Full fee £189.00 Senior fee £189.00 Concession £132.00 - Classical singing workshopCourse start date: Fri 2 May 2025 (and 5 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Hakan VramsmoA lively workshop class for singers with a solid foundation in vocal technique and musicianship: employ your vocal technique in a more flexible and artistic way and deepen your understanding of critical evaluation of singing. Break week 30th May 2025.Full fee £299.00 Senior fee £239.00 Concession £209.00 - 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 - Choral singing for pleasure Course start date: Mon 28 Apr 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Richard Hartley-WilsonWhether you’re a beginner or have some experience, this choral class will give you something to look forward to on a Monday. We sing many genres from musical theatre to pop plus more traditional pieces. This course is very popular, so booking early is essential. Break weeks 5th & 26th May 2025.Full fee £249.00 Senior fee £199.00 Concession £174.00 - Choir at lunchtime Course start date: Mon 28 Apr 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Richard Hartley-WilsonCome and spend your lunchtime singing a range of music, in interesting choral arrangements. It's good for the mind, body and spirit. Sing music from across all genres, have fun and leave with a spring in your step. There's no better pick-me-up at lunchtime! Break weeks 5th & 26th May 2025.Full fee £149.00 Senior fee £119.00 Concession £104.00 - Composition techniques Course start date: Tue 29 Apr 2025 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Edward HendersonDevelop your skills in composing. Analyse selected techniques and apply them to your own composition project. Good music theory knowledge needed (grade 7 or equivalent).
*break week: 27 May 2025.Full fee £249.00 Senior fee £199.00 Concession £174.00 - Exploring the music of Richard StraussCourse start date: Tue 16 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Katy HamiltonFrom the heady waltzes of Der Rosenkavalier to the awe-inspiring opening of Also sprach Zarathrustra, come and delve into the life and works of the brilliant – and controversial – composer and conductor, Richard Strauss.
Full fee £269.00 Senior fee £215.00 Concession £188.00 - 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
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