Performing Arts Courses for Beginners
Explore your creativity and build confidence with City Lit’s beginner-friendly performing arts courses. Whether you’re interested in acting, dance, voice, movement, or performance-making, our courses offer an inspiring and supportive way to step into the world of performance.
Led by experienced tutors, you’ll gain practical skills through engaging, hands-on sessions. Learn at your own pace in a relaxed environment—no previous experience required. These courses are ideal for anyone curious about the performing arts, looking to try something new, or hoping to reconnect with a creative passion.
From stage presence to self-expression, you’ll discover the joy and energy that performance can bring.
Explore our performing arts courses for beginners and take your first step into the spotlight.
- Flamenco: beginnersCourse start date: Thu 1 May 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Danielle AllanLearn fundamental flamenco dance moves, steps and rhythms in an energising and supportive atmosphere. Experience the rich complexity of this Andalucian Gypsy art form, and develop presence, fitness and coordination.Full fee £229.00 Senior fee £183.00 Concession £160.00 - Voice technique: beginnersCourse start date: Thu 18 Sep 2025 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Kate MontagueImprove the quality and clarity of your voice through posture, breath capacity and control, articulation, forward placement and pitch. For anyone who wants to make the most of their voice. This course will be taught in the college.Full fee £189.00 Senior fee £189.00 Concession £132.00 - Flute 1ACourse start date: Thu 18 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Pamela Pecko SmithBeginners can enjoy learning to play the flute in a supportive, friendly atmosphere. Develop embouchure, instrumental sound, listening skills and music reading. Continues to Flute 1B next term. Break week 30th October 2025. - Singing 1 (contemporary)Course start date: Thu 18 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Colette MeuryStart singing and explore your voice in this confidence-building course. These live group sessions online will teach you about healthy use of your singing voice and musicianship through a selection of songs in pop, rock and jazz styles. Attention is given to vocal technique and breathing technique. - Harmonica: Blues, pop and countryCourse start date: Fri 19 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Jake RodriguesLearn essential harmonica riffs and techniques on this lively course. Build musical skills and confidence in playing and improvising on popular music. This course is for players who have begun to learn the instrument, not for absolute beginners.Full fee £219.00 Senior fee £219.00 Concession £153.00 - Drumming 1ACourse start date: Sat 20 Sep 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Paul ChiversCome and learn the practical skills you need to play drumkit in contemporary music: stick technique, four-way coordination, listening and music reading. You will play acoustic and practice kits in class. Please bring your own sticks.Full fee £259.00 Senior fee £259.00 Concession £259.00 - Folk and pop guitar 1ACourse start date: Sat 20 Sep 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Tony RowdenLearn about tuning your instrument, strumming and picking, simple chords for pop songs, scales and chord symbols on this starter course. Use any acoustic guitar for this introductory course in playing pop, rock, blues and folk styles.Full fee £219.00 Senior fee £219.00 Concession £153.00 - Solo swing and jive: generalCourse start date: Sat 3 May 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Rosaria SativaDo you enjoy vintage social dancing events but don't have a partner? Looking to nail those moves and increase your freestyle confidence? Then this is the course for you! We will work on foot-work sequences and steps of authentic jazz dancing and Rhythm & Blues Strolls, progressing to faster pace flick kicks and turns for jive and Rock ’n' Roll dances. No partner required! This is a general level course suitable for beginners and improvers.Full fee £119.00 Senior fee £119.00 Concession £83.00 - 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 - Saxophone 1ACourse start date: Sat 20 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Sarha MooreIdeal if you are a beginner or have recently begun to study the saxophone. Any other musical experience will be of advantage and you will need a tenor or alto saxophone for class. You will learn to play and to read music. Repertoire will comprise popular sounds, jazz and world music. - Contemporary dance: beginnersCourse start date: Sat 20 Sep 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Francis AngolThis course aims to give you a basic understanding of Contemporary dance that is influenced by other styles. The course provides an understanding of the basic principles, techniques and style.Full fee £129.00 Senior fee £129.00 Concession £90.00 - Ballroom and Latin: beginnersCourse start date: Sat 20 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
This course is perfect for those who are new to Ballroom dance or looking to brush up on existing skills. Taught in a friendly and supportive atmosphere you will learn the basic steps and techniques of both Ballroom and Latin dance. No partner is required to join the course. You will perform with different members of the class, acquire some great dance knowledge and with the added benefit of feeling healthier! - Mozart's ViennaCourse start date: Wed 24 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Pauline GreeneMozart’s music has come to stand for the greatest and most beautiful aspects of the Western classical tradition. But who was he? And what exactly did he do? Come and discover more about this famous Vienese composer. break week 29 Oct 2025.Full fee £269.00 Senior fee £215.00 Concession £188.00 - Exploring classical music 2Course start date: Thu 25 Sep 2025 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Neil LuckDo you want to know more about classical music history? Explore selected topics and key works in Baroque, Classical and early Romantic music on this highly informative 10-week course. Ideal for people with no specialist knowledge. Break week: 30 Oct 2025.Full fee £219.00 Senior fee £175.00 Concession £153.00
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