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
- Ballet body conditioning
Course start date: Fri 9 May 2025 (and 1 other date)Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Alexander SimpkinsBallet body conditioning combines specifically sequenced exercises including elements of barre, floor work and centre practice and is designed to complement studies in ballet and acting. Ideal for those who already have good physical awareness and have studied a dance discipline at a basic level.Full fee £199.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £139.00 - Piano: return to playingCourse start date: Fri 17 Oct 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Gary PrestonDid you once play the piano? Are you thinking of returning to playing? This short course, taught in a friendly and supportive environment, will help you refresh your dormant skills and re-kindle your passion for playing.Full fee £179.00 Senior fee £143.00 Concession £125.00 - Acting for fun 2 Course start date: Fri 16 May 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Laura BaggaleyAn acting class that’s all about having fun! This course is suitable for those with a little experience, confident beginners and anyone wanting to simply enjoy acting exercises and scenes. Develop your stagecraft skills and meet like-minded people as you work together on scripts and improvisations.Full fee £199.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £139.00 - Acting: scenework Course start date: Thu 22 May 2025 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Laura BaggaleyContinue your development as you explore a range of acting exercises that will illuminate and bring to life a variety of scripts and scenes. Consolidate skills and techniques, and deepen your understanding in a safe and supportive atmosphere. We will focus on ensemble and group scenes this term.Full fee £199.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £139.00 - Acting for fun Course start date: Fri 30 May 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Laura BaggaleyAn acting class purely for the joy of it! This course is suitable for complete beginners and those with a little experience. Enjoy acting exercises and scenes, gain confidence, make friends, and develop new skills in a fun environment.Full fee £149.00 Senior fee £119.00 Concession £104.00 - Improve your speaking voiceCourse start date: Thu 15 May 2025 (and 5 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Lloyd WyldeCome and improve your vocal skills through voice production and speech exercises. Learn about self presentation, develop spontaneity and gain greater confidence in your communication skills. This is a practical course based in the college.Full fee £149.00 Senior fee £119.00 Concession £104.00 - Afrocentric drummingCourse start date: Sat 7 Jun 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Paul ChiversExplore your enthusiasm for drumming with African rhythms and their variations. Develop individual and group playing skills and learn how to apply a variety of percussive instruments to any musical style or setting.Full fee £99.00 Senior fee £99.00 Concession £99.00 - Improvisation in classical music Course start date: Fri 13 Jun 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Lindsey FillinghamSurvey the history of improvisation in Classical Music from Plainsong to Paganini on this short music history course. Break week: no lesson on 27th June.Full fee £99.00 Senior fee £99.00 Concession £69.00 - Musicianship for singers: introductionCourse start date: Fri 25 Jul 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Ruth BeckmannImprove your understanding of theory and musicianship in relation to the singing. This introductory course is for any singer who would like more understanding about the music they sing. - Singing solo for beginnersCourse start date: Fri 25 Jul 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Ruth BeckmannA beginners workshop style class for singers who are looking to take the first steps into singing solo. Learn how to sing confidently with an accompanist through manageable exercises and challenges building to an entire song.Full fee £99.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £69.00 - Music history bookclub: My Tango with Barbara StrozziCourse start date: Fri 1 Aug 2025
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 - Piano/keyboards 3ACourse start date: Fri 19 Sep 2025 (and 4 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Jonathan WilsonThis fourth year of our piano programme begins with repertoire of a grade 2 standard. Improve your hand co-ordination, musical phrasing, reading and finger technique, and improve your confidence.Full fee £239.00 Senior fee £191.00 Concession £167.00 - Piano/keyboards 1D Course start date: Fri 19 Sep 2025 (and 7 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Sarha MooreFull fee £249.00 Senior fee £199.00 Concession £174.00 - Classical singing workshopCourse start date: Mon 28 Apr 2025 (and 5 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Hakan VramsmoA lively 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. Break weeks 5th and 26th May.Full fee £279.00 Senior fee £223.00 Concession £195.00 - Piano/keyboards 1C Course start date: Mon 28 Apr 2025 (and 8 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Lucia Sanchez de HaroThis is the third term in our beginners piano programme. If you have completed ‘Piano/keyboards 1B’ or have existing keyboard and music reading skills, this course will further develop your technique and musicianship.Full fee £199.00 Senior fee £199.00 Concession £139.00
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