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
- Great composers: Louise Farrenc
Course start date: Thu 24 Jul 2025Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Trish ShawDiscover the musical life and work of Louise Farrenc (1804–1875), the celebrated French pianist, composer, teacher and scholar. Learn about her delightful chamber music, her important piano etudes, and her impact on French music and culture in the 19th century.Full fee £39.00 Senior fee £39.00 Concession £39.00 - Opera appreciation: an introductionCourse start date: Thu 24 Jul 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Pauline GreeneWhat is opera? And how do you approach watching and listening to it? Explore the ostentatious, sometimes overwhelming, world of opera through study of two major works and styles.Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £69.00 Concession £69.00 - Tap dance: beginners Course start date: Thu 18 Sep 2025 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Jacqueline PertIf you are new to tap then this is the place to start. Come and find your dancing feet. Suitable for students of all ages with good general fitness. Tap shoes are essential.Full fee £199.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £139.00 - Music theory: grades 1 and 2Course start date: Thu 25 Sep 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Selena KayLearn the basic principles of musical language and notation: rhythmic values, time signatures, pitch on treble and bass clefs, simple major scales, intervals and key signatures, and the most common musical terms and signs. Breen week: 30 Oct 2025.Full fee £269.00 Senior fee £215.00 Concession £188.00 - Exploring classical music 1Course start date: Mon 15 Sep 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Edward BreenDo you want to know more about Western classical music? Explore selected topics and key works in Medieval to (early) Baroque music on this informative 10-week course. Ideal for people with no specialist knowledge. NB: Break week: 27 Oct 2025.Full fee £219.00 Senior fee £175.00 Concession £153.00 - Piano/keyboards 1B Course start date: Mon 15 Sep 2025 (and 7 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Cheslav SinghA near-beginners’ course for pianists. If you have completed Piano/keyboards 1A or and have basic keyboard and music reading skills in C position, this course will introduce you to more notes.Full fee £249.00 Senior fee £249.00 Concession £174.00 - Acting: beginners Course start date: Tue 8 Jul 2025 (and 11 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Deirdre Strath ClydeExplore the fundamentals of acting on this practical course, designed for people with little or no experience of acting. Increase your confidence and discover your potential in a safe and supportive environment.Full fee £199.00 Senior fee £199.00 Concession £139.00 - Piano/keyboards 1A Course start date: Thu 18 Sep 2025 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Lucia Sanchez de HaroThis is the beginning of our piano programme, designed for absolute beginners to both piano and music-reading. This classic course is the perfect way to start your piano playing.Full fee £249.00 Senior fee £249.00 Concession £174.00 - Men's ballet Course start date: Thu 18 Sep 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Martin WimpressPerfect if you've never taken a ballet class before, or if you did ballet as a child and want to return. This men’s ballet course provides slow and fun training in how to use your body correctly, with a focus on correct placement, stance and posture.Full fee £149.00 Senior fee £119.00 Concession £104.00 - Voice technique: beginnersCourse start date: Thu 18 Sep 2025 (and 2 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 - Flamenco: beginners Course start date: Thu 18 Sep 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 £259.00 Senior fee £207.00 Concession £181.00 - 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.Full fee £219.00 Senior fee £175.00 Concession £153.00 - 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 - Pop and politicsCourse start date: Thu 25 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Toby ManningExplore the connections between pop music and political change from the 1950s to the present. Break week: 30th Oct 2025
Full fee £269.00 Senior fee £215.00 Concession £188.00 - Exploring classical music 4Course start date: Thu 23 Apr 2026 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Neil LuckThis course explores key ideas in art music during the twentieth century. Each week’s topic is introduced through study of a seminal musical work. **Break week: 28th May 2026.Full fee £219.00 Senior fee £175.00 Concession £153.00
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