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
- Piano: repertoire workshopCourse start date: Wed 17 Sep 2025 (and 8 other dates)
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 29th October 2025.Full fee £379.00 Senior fee £379.00 Concession £265.00 - Flute: intermediateCourse start date: Thu 1 May 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Pamela Pecko SmithThis course is for flautists with at least three years’ experience, or grade 3-5 standard, to advance their solo and ensemble playing in a variety of musical styles. Develop your instrumental technique, tone and musicianship in a creative and supportive environment. Break week 29th Feb 2025.Full fee £199.00 Senior fee £199.00 Concession £139.00 - Singing workshopCourse start date: Thu 1 May 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Siobhan BlakeA 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. Repertoire to be discussed with the tutor. Break week 29th May 2025.Full fee £299.00 Senior fee £239.00 Concession £209.00 - Acting: scenes to performanceCourse start date: Wed 30 Apr 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Laura BaggaleyPractise and develop your acting skills by rehearsing scenes in detail. Engage with the fundamentals of performance in front of a live invited audience in our John Lyons Theatre in the final session.Full fee £279.00 Senior fee £279.00 Concession £195.00 - Classical ballet: improvers 2Course start date: Thu 8 May 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Alexander SimpkinsWe will continue developing ballet technique through barre, centre work and allegro exercises. Suitable for those who have been practicing for some time and have a strong grasp of techniques and terminology.Full fee £199.00 Senior fee £199.00 Concession £139.00 - Singing workshop (contemporary)Course start date: Thu 1 May 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Colette MeuryContinue your study of singing technique and learn songs in popular music styles of folk, jazz, pop, rock, musical theatre. Live sessions online. Develop your musicianship, and add new songs to your repertoire. New students with experience of singing and some formal training are welcome.Full fee £259.00 Senior fee £259.00 Concession £181.00 - City Lit a cappellaCourse start date: Wed 30 Apr 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Blended (learn both online and in-person)
Tutors: Della RhodesThis small ensemble of experienced harmony singers learn, record and perform original arrangements of jazz and popular songs. Develop your listening, timing, intonation, musical memory, and team work. New members with good music reading and aural skills are welcome.Full fee £189.00 Senior fee £189.00 Concession £132.00 - 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 - English pronunciation: stage 3Course start date: Tue 29 Apr 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: David John GwillimDesigned for fluent non- native students and all who have completed 'English Pronunciation' stages 1 and 2. Conversation and the reading aloud of a variety of texts will help to pinpoint those pronunciation worries still to be addressed.
This course will be taught online.Full fee £259.00 Senior fee £259.00 Concession £181.00 - Comedy writing and performing: tasterCourse start date: Tue 30 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Alan NixonExplore your comedy writing and performance potential under the guidance of an Emmy-award winning comedy producer/director. Alan Nixon shares an introduction to the skills behind creating powerful comedy using classic and modern techniques.Full fee £39.00 Senior fee £39.00 Concession £39.00 - Storytelling for business and pleasure 1Course start date: Tue 29 Apr 2025 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Ariella EshedAll cultures respect the world of Story. The ability to tell Stories, in a variety of settings, is a skill that has seen a strong resurgence both in the workplace and in contemporary performance. Gain greater confidence in your communication skills and apply this to your wider experience. This course will be delivered in the college.Full fee £229.00 Senior fee £229.00 Concession £160.00 - Voice masterclass: the Patsy Rodenburg methodCourse start date: Thu 2 Oct 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Lloyd WyldeExtended by popular demand into twice its original length, we will explore through practical exercises the basic methodology of the leading voice practitioner Patsy Rodenburg in these two three-hour workshops delivered in the college. - Character voices for animation, stage and screenCourse start date: Fri 3 Oct 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: David ThorpeCharacter voices aren’t just for cartoons. Learn the tools and techniques you need to create new and unique character voices or to accurately imitate a historical or contemporary voice for animation, stage and screen. This intensive course will be delivered in the media studio. - City Lit Theatre CompanyCourse start date: Mon 27 Oct 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: James Jarrett
A wonderful opportunity to be part of a theatre company working alongside an experienced professional director and a team of techical theatre students to stage a play from scratch in six weeks. Use your previous practical training in acting in the context of the performance of a full production in the John Lyons Theatre at City Lit, giving four public performances.
Please make sure you read the details below which gives days and times of rehearsals and performance week.
This term, the play is Hamlet, directed by James Jarrett. - Home voice recordingCourse start date: Fri 14 Nov 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Max La VillaAre you working, or aiming to work, in voiceovers, podcasts or recording audio books or talking newspapers? Learn the basics of how to record and edit yourself using your home digital audio equipment.Full fee £199.00 Senior fee £199.00 Concession £199.00
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