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
- Contemporary dance intensiveCourse start date: Sat 16 Aug 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Francis AngolThis is a three-evening intensive in contemporary dance fusion. Learn how to express your physicality in a dynamic fashion and gain basic knowledge of the main principles of contemporary dance, with influences from other techniques. General level - suitable for both beginners and improvers. - String ensembleCourse start date: Tue 29 Apr 2025 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Robert PuzeyCome and play string repertoire in a friendly group, and develop your confidence in ensemble playing. Suitable for those who have been playing violin, viola, cello or double bass for at least two years, playing at Grade 3 standard or above. Please click the 'start interview' button to apply. This is to make sure we have a balanced array of instruments for our ensemble. Break week 27 May 2025.Full fee £179.00 Senior fee £179.00 Concession £125.00 - Piano/keyboards 3ACourse start date: Mon 28 Apr 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 £199.00 Senior fee £199.00 Concession £139.00 - Piano/keyboards 1BCourse start date: Tue 29 Apr 2025 (and 6 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 £229.00 Senior fee £229.00 Concession £160.00 - Piano/keyboards 2CCourse start date: Mon 28 Apr 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Simon AtkinsMove beyond grade 1 piano repertoire and develop your technique and fluency. The repertoire in this module will encompass more complex rhythm patterns and scales from the grade 2 syllabus.Full fee £199.00 Senior fee £199.00 Concession £139.00 - Piano/keyboards 2ACourse start date: Mon 15 Sep 2025 (and 4 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Cheslav SinghThis third year of our piano programme begins with repertoire of a grade 1 standard. Improve your technique, fluency of reading and playing, and exploring more complex rhythm patterns. Break weeks: no lesssons on bank holiday mondays (6, 27 May 2024).Full fee £239.00 Senior fee £239.00 Concession £167.00 - Piano/keyboards 1CCourse 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 - Saxophone 4Course start date: Tue 29 Apr 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Sarha MooreFor experienced saxophone players, come and extend your technique, musicianship and performance skills in this workshop. We will play jazz and pop music, solo and as an ensemble, developing musicianship skills, and improvisation.Full fee £199.00 Senior fee £199.00 Concession £139.00 - Folk and pop guitar: advancedCourse start date: Sat 3 May 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: David HarrisonExperienced and able players may join our advanced level class for contemporary guitar study. Live sessions on Zoom.Full fee £199.00 Senior fee £199.00 Concession £139.00 - Jazz piano 4Course start date: Thu 1 May 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Della RhodesA continuation course for graduates of jazz piano 3. Using standard and unusual repertoire, you will develop 'comping' strategies and your ability to improvise in jazz styles.Full fee £199.00 Senior fee £199.00 Concession £139.00 - 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 - Sing jazz 1Course start date: Wed 30 Apr 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Laura ZakianImprove your singing technique and solo performance and learn some standard repertoire and jazz protocol. Explore style, develop good timing and phrasing, breath control, and extend your vocal range. Not suitable for beginner singers.Full fee £259.00 Senior fee £207.00 Concession £181.00 - Drumming 1BCourse start date: Sat 20 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Paul ChiversFor graduates of drumming 1A and drum students with equivalent (10-12 lessons) experience. We will play and analyse classic grooves, and work to improve our co-ordinated independence in application of rudiments to the drum kit.Full fee £259.00 Senior fee £259.00 Concession £259.00 - 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 - Jazz harmony and ear training 1ACourse start date: Sat 20 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Cerys HoggWe will study time, form, root movement and harmonic progression, chord types, intervals, scales and modes. Learn transcribed solos and participate in playing sessions. For players with a working knowledge of harmony and instrumental proficiency beyond grade 5. Please contact music@citylit.ac.uk to arrange to be assessed for entry to this course. Break week: 1st November.
Can't see a course you want?
Add this category to your waiting list to set up alerts and we will update you when new courses are released online.
Add me to waiting list