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
- Musicianship 1: listening and reading, pitch and rhythmCourse start date: Tue 16 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Cerys HoggLearn to name and recognise what you hear, to organise music notation, write it and read it. These practical and academic sessions are suitable for absolute beginners, which may include students who play by ear and do not read yet. Break week: 28th October.Full fee £219.00 Senior fee £175.00 Concession £153.00 - Stanislavski: beginners
Course start date: Tue 16 Sep 2025Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Juliet PragueDiscover the system of realistic acting that most professional actors use today — the approach to training, characterisation and rehearsal technique developed by the legendary Konstantin Stanislavski. - Accents: North American standard and regionalCourse start date: Tue 29 Apr 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Deirdre Strath ClydeHow to speak with confidence and authenticity in a North American or Broadcast Standard accent as well as a couple of regional American accents as time permits; ideal for actors who wish to expand their armoury of accents. This course will be taught in the college.Full fee £169.00 Senior fee £169.00 Concession £118.00 - Reading English literature aloud: early 20th centuryCourse start date: Wed 17 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Vernon ThompsonCome and enjoy reading aloud passages from novels by early 20th century writers in our Wednesday reading group. Set texts will be A Handful of Dust- Evelyn Waugh, and The Birds and Other Stories- Daphne du Maurier. This unique course contains vocal warm-ups; discussion of novels, weekly prepared readings and sight reading skills. - Debating: beginnersCourse start date: Wed 30 Apr 2025 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Gavin IllsleyDebating requires the ability to speak English persuasively in public and, crucially, to respond rapidly to other people’s objections to what you say. We will cover the theory and practice of debating, and you will progress quickly in areas of content, strategy and style. A great mental workout.Full fee £129.00 Senior fee £129.00 Concession £90.00 - Classical guitar 1ACourse start date: Tue 29 Apr 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Tony RowdenEnjoy learning to play guitar in the classical style, and read notation, in a friendly and supportive atmosphere. This study requires you to use a nylon strung guitar.Full fee £199.00 Senior fee £199.00 Concession £139.00 - Lieder: music and poetryCourse start date: Wed 17 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Katy HamiltonFrom the late-eighteenth to the mid-twentieth centuries, the German Lied developed and blossomed as a musical genre for amateurs, professionals, homes and concert halls. We trace its history through some of its most important composers.
This course has a scheduled break week on 29 Oct 2025. - Floor barre: general levelCourse start date: Wed 30 Apr 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Dilek TaptikFloor-Barre is a wonderful conditioning programme for everyone, regardless of age and ability. Work through all the important muscle groups while safely supporting the body on the floor. All levels welcome.Full fee £129.00 Senior fee £103.00 Concession £90.00 - Silver Swans ballet barre Course start date: Wed 28 May 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Kate ScottAdapted for older learners our Silver Swans® ballet barre classes have been specifically designed for the over-55s. Ballet barre practice improves posture, strength and flexibility, focusing on the placement of the body and co-ordination. This class is suitable for those looking for a new way to exercise in a fun, relaxed learning group.Full fee £89.00 Senior fee £71.00 Concession £62.00 - Cello 1ACourse start date: Wed 17 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Learn the basics of playing this warm and mellow instrument in a friendly environment, using a range of fun music. For complete beginners. Continues to Cello 1B next term. Break week 29th of October 2025.Full fee £219.00 Senior fee £219.00 Concession £153.00 - Men's ballet Course start date: Thu 1 May 2025 (and 1 other date)
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 £129.00 Senior fee £103.00 Concession £90.00 - Radio and podcast presenting: beginnersCourse start date: Thu 18 Sep 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: David SpencerWhat makes a good radio presenter and podcast broadcaster? From getting the script off the page and ad-libbing to music presenting and news reading, develop your own on-air identity, working as live ‘on mic’ each week. This course will be delivered in the media studio.Full fee £249.00 Senior fee £249.00 Concession £174.00 - Flamenco: beginners Course 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 1 May 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 £179.00 Senior fee £179.00 Concession £125.00 - 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.
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