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 for singers: introduction
Course start date: Fri 17 Jul 2026Location 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.Full fee £59.00 Senior fee £59.00 Concession £59.00 - Charleston intensive Course start date: Sat 18 Jul 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Rosaria SativaBuild a foundation of basic dance skills on this fun intensive which will have you dancing the energetic Charleston. You will be dancing to original jazz music from the 1920s and 30s as well different music styles to show that you can dance the Charleston to almost any beat.Full fee £99.00 Senior fee £99.00 Concession £69.00 - Jazz vocal improvisationCourse start date: Sat 18 Jul 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Cerys HoggLearn some approaches to improvisation over jazz tunes, what to listen for and what to study. You should already be accustomed to singing in the jazz idiom. The aim in these two sessions is to increase your confidence and 'know how', and to enable you to enjoy improvising.
Full fee £59.00 Senior fee £59.00 Concession £59.00 - Classical guitar taster Course start date: Sat 18 Jul 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Tony RowdenEnjoy this introduction to playing classical guitar. Please bring a nylon-strung guitar.Full fee £29.00 Senior fee £29.00 Concession £29.00 - Stage combat: unarmed Course start date: Sun 19 Jul 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Sean CroftExplore unarmed combat and develop a selection of moves to combine in to a choreographed sequence!
A well-executed fight scene can make stage combat look easy but, much like dancing, it must be intricately choreographed and extensively rehearsed, to provide that authentic feel while remaining safe. Suitable for everyone.Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £69.00 Concession £48.00 - Baroque instrumental ensemble Course start date: Mon 20 Jul 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Layil BarrLove early music and want to play it with more awareness of style? Explore how to achieve a more 'authentic' sound, covering interpretation of rhythm and ornaments, tone, embellishment and more.Full fee £119.00 Senior fee £119.00 Concession £83.00 - Actor summer school: beginners Course start date: Mon 20 Jul 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Sean Croft, Juliet PragueThis is a five day intensive encounter with the acting process. Designed for beginners to explore the fundamentals in a safe and supportive enviroment. Also suitable for those with some prior experience wanting to refresh and focus their skills.Full fee £379.00 Senior fee £379.00 Concession £265.00 - String ensemble: summer season Course start date: Tue 21 Jul 2026
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.
Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £79.00 - Piano: preparation for ABRSM grades 3 and 4Course start date: Wed 22 Jul 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Ana Claudia MagalhaesThis three-week summer school course is designed to support pianists preparing for ABRSM Piano Grades 3 and 4. The course strengthens technique, reading skills and musical understanding, helping students develop confidence, consistency and expressive playing in preparation for their exams.
Full fee £89.00 Senior fee £71.00 Concession £62.00 - Composition techniques: intensive workshopCourse start date: Wed 22 Jul 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Simon RigbyThis intensive workshop is on writing and arranging for voices with no instrumental accompaniment. Learn techniques for composing your own music, arranging existing tunes, creating vocal and choral textures, and setting English text.
Suitable for students with knowledge of music theory to at least grade/level 6 standard.
Full fee £159.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £111.00 - Great artists: David Bowie Course start date: Wed 22 Jul 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Toby ManningExplore the music and artistry of David Bowie in its historical context, with a focus on his iconic songs.
Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £63.00 Concession £55.00 - Vocal recording: production techniques Course start date: Wed 22 Jul 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Max La VillaLearn how to make recordings of sung and/or spoken voices, then edit them, add effects, or mix with other tracks. Suitable for those with some previous experience in digital audio.Full fee £139.00 Senior fee £139.00 Concession £139.00 - Piano/keyboards: sight reading and transposition grades 3-5Course start date: Wed 22 Jul 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Ana Claudia MagalhaesThis practical three-week summer school course is designed to improve piano sight-reading and transposition skills at Grades 3–5 level. Through guided practice, graded material and supportive feedback, students will build confidence, accuracy and fluency in reading and playing unfamiliar music.
Full fee £89.00 Senior fee £89.00 Concession £62.00 - Great works: Shostakovich's Lady Macbeth Course start date: Thu 23 Jul 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Steven RobinsonCome and discover the fascinating story within and around one of Shostakovich’s most famous works, Lady Macbeth. What made this opera so controversial for much of its history, and how do we appreciate and interpret it today?
Full fee £39.00 Senior fee £39.00 Concession £39.00 - String Summer School Course start date: Fri 24 Jul 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Robert PuzeyLearn technique, repertoire and ensemble skills for all orchestral strings. Develop your confidence and make new string friends. For players at grade 3 or above.
Friday the 24th July and Sunday the 26th July.Repertoire to include- Mozart Symphony No.13 K.112
Full fee £139.00 Senior fee £139.00 Concession £97.00
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