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
- Use your voice assertively (online)Course start date: Sat 17 Jan 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Allis MossDo you want to sound more confident, grounded, self-assured and assertive? Improve your vocal skills through a series of exercises that will support you to become more vocally confident, expressive and dynamic without appearing arrogant. This course will be delivered online.Full fee £199.00 Senior fee £199.00 Concession £139.00 - Debating: beginners (online)Course start date: Mon 16 Feb 2026
Location on this date: Online
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. This course will be taught online.Full fee £139.00 Senior fee £139.00 Concession £97.00 - Music history bookclub: Viva Violetta and VerdiCourse start date: Fri 17 Apr 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Edward BreenThe music history book club meets towards the end of each term to discuss novels and biographies with musical themes and references relevant to the music history programme.Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £19.00 Concession £19.00 - Music theory: grade 4
Course start date: Wed 30 Apr 2025 (and 2 other dates)Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Selena KayStudy more complex musical language including duplets, double-dotted rhythms, alto clef, double sharps/flats, the concept of enharmonic equivalence, and recognising and writing common triads. Learn the technical names for scale degrees, and standard ornaments and instruments. NB: scheduled break week: 28th May 2024.Full fee £229.00 Senior fee £183.00 Concession £160.00 - Music theory: counterpoint 3Course start date: Tue 21 Apr 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Selena KayExplore the art of counterpoint, a musical technique in which two or more melodies are combined to create a highly engaging musical texture. This term will focus on imitative forms including invention, canon and fugue, as well as analysing examples of counterpoint in repertoire from the Baroque period to Twentieth Century. Break weeks 26th May 2026. - Drumming: advanced Course start date: Sun 27 Apr 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Mark HuggettOur advanced class is a great chance to practise all the essential popular grooves. Enhance and maintain your technique, reading and stamina. Sessions will be delivered online so you will use your own kit, acoustic or electronic.Full fee £249.00 Senior fee £249.00 Concession £249.00 - Piano/keyboards 5CCourse start date: Mon 28 Apr 2025 (and 2 other dates)
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. Break weeks: 6 May & 27 May 2024.Full fee £199.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £139.00 - Piano/keyboards 2B Course start date: Mon 28 Apr 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Simon AtkinsCan you play grade 1 standard pieces? Work on technique, fluency of reading and explore more complex rhythm patterns.Full fee £199.00 Senior fee £199.00 Concession £139.00 - Exploring classical music: module 3 Course start date: Mon 28 Apr 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 Romantic and modern music on this informative 10-week course. Ideal for people with no specialist knowledge. NB: Break week 5 & 26 May 2025.Full fee £179.00 Senior fee £143.00 Concession £125.00 - Music theory: introduction to score reading Course start date: Mon 28 Apr 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Selena KayLearn to navigate music scores and analyse basic structures. Learn to identify stylistic characteristics of music from different periods of music history, suitable for developing your understanding of music in its historical context, and to support the style identification elements of grade 5+ ABRSM exams. NB: this course has a scheduled breaks on 5th & 26th May 2025.Full fee £229.00 Senior fee £183.00 Concession £160.00 - Exploring classical music: module 1 Course start date: Thu 1 May 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Neil LuckDo 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: 20 Feb 2025. - Piano/keyboards 4CCourse start date: Thu 1 May 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: David FrankelFor pianists with around three years' experience. Improve your finger technique, coordination, phrasing, music
reading, and your confidence.Full fee £229.00 Senior fee £229.00 Concession £160.00 - Classical guitar 2CCourse start date: Fri 2 May 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Jeff RodriguesFor players with 2 years experience of studying and reading for classical guitar. Develop a range of technical skills and expression as you learn repertoire of solo and ensemble guitar repertoire.Full fee £199.00 Senior fee £199.00 Concession £139.00
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