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: technique and repertoireCourse start date: Wed 23 Jul 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Alexander SimpkinsThis is a great opportunity to learn sections of repertoire from a well-known classical ballet. These will be group or solo dances, including some mime sequences. As preparation, a condensed ballet class will be offered, focussing on technical aspects that will occur in our repertoire section. You should have attended regular ballet classes for at least 1 year and have good knowledge of classical ballet vocabulary. - Debating: intensiveCourse start date: Wed 23 Jul 2025
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. In this shorter, intensive version of our highly popular course, 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. - Jazz piano: introductionCourse start date: Thu 24 Jul 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Della RhodesMeet the jazz idiom as you explore time feels and harmonic progressions at your piano. For pianists at grade 5 and above, with some knowledge of chord structures (triads and 7ths), this session in our pianos room will give food for thought and practice.Full fee £29.00 Senior fee £29.00 Concession £29.00 - 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 - Violin and viola 3ACourse start date: Mon 15 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Robert PuzeyThis course is for players who have been learning violin/viola for two to three years (playing at Grade 2-3 standard), take the next step to learn vibrato, positions above 1st, and improved bow control. This course continues with Violin and viola 3B next term. Break week 20th October 2025.Full fee £219.00 Senior fee £219.00 Concession £153.00 - Comedy improvisationCourse start date: Mon 15 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Mark PhoenixHave fun acting, with theatre games and character exercises. Build your confidence, meet new people while you will learn and practice the key techniques needed for performing improvised comedy scenes. - 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 - Tap dance: improversCourse start date: Mon 28 Apr 2025 (and 5 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Jacqueline PertPractice and improve your basic Tap skills and increase your vocabulary of steps and sequences. Gain a greater understanding of rhythm, tempo and syncopation. Suitable for students of all ages with good general fitness. Tap shoes are essential.Full fee £189.00 Senior fee £189.00 Concession £132.00 - Piano/keyboards 1DCourse start date: Tue 29 Apr 2025 (and 7 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Sarha MooreThis is the second year of our beginners piano programme and repertoire will be of a pre-grade 1 standard. Improve your eye/hand coordination, your reading and technique.Full fee £229.00 Senior fee £229.00 Concession £160.00 - Piano/keyboards 1BCourse start date: Thu 8 May 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 - Singing 2Course start date: Thu 1 May 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Hakan VramsmoContinue your singing journey and explore your voice in the second year of our training programme. These classes will further develop your singing voice and musicianship skills through a selection of technical exercises and songs from a variety of genres to suit all musical tastes. Break week 29 May 2025.Full fee £259.00 Senior fee £259.00 Concession £181.00 - 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 - Violin and viola 4ACourse start date: Mon 15 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Robert PuzeyThis course is for students who have been learning for three to four years and are fluent in 1st and 3rd positions (grade 3-4). Come and study higher positions, vibrato and a variety of bow techniques. This course continues with Violin and Viola 4B next term. - Screen acting: advancedCourse start date: Wed 30 Apr 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Gary GrantThis is a practical and intensive screen acting course, designed for students to learn how to create characters and be at their best when working within difficult and pressurised circumstances. Ideal for those who have previously studied screen acting and are planning to make the leap into finding work. Also for those who have already broken into the industry but want to make sure they’re at their best when on set.Full fee £299.00 Senior fee £299.00 Concession £209.00
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