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
- The art of negotiatingCourse start date: Wed 30 Apr 2025 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Gavin IllsleyNegotiation is a communication skill essential in solving problems and reaching your goals. Learn to prepare well and to feel confident using logical and emotional tools to achieve great outcomes. The course will be taught in the college.Full fee £129.00 Senior fee £129.00 Concession £90.00 - Presenting to camera: introductionCourse start date: Wed 4 Jun 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Kathryn WolfeIf you need to present to camera for business, vlogging or broadcasting, this introductory course covers how to present from a home studio, office space or TV studio.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £55.00 - Ear trainingCourse start date: Wed 16 Jul 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Della RhodesEnhance your aural awareness of the mechanics of music and improve your recognition of, and response to, music in practice. Sing intervals, scales and harmonies on this short practical course.Full fee £49.00 Senior fee £49.00 Concession £49.00 - Piano/keyboards 1DCourse start date: Mon 28 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. Break weeks: 5th & 26th May 2025.Full fee £199.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £139.00 - Piano/keyboards 1ACourse start date: Mon 28 Apr 2025 (and 8 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Jonathan WilsonThis is the beginning of our piano programme, designed for absolute beginners to both piano and music-reading. This classic course is the perfect way to start your piano playing.Full fee £199.00 Senior fee £199.00 Concession £139.00 - Music theory: grades 1 and 2Course start date: Thu 1 May 2025 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Selena KayLearn the basic principles of musical language and notation: rhythmic values, time signatures, pitch on treble and bass clefs, simple major scales, intervals and key signatures, and the most common musical terms and signs. break week: 29 May 2025.Full fee £229.00 Senior fee £183.00 Concession £160.00 - 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 - Lieder: music and poetryCourse start date: Wed 17 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Katy HamiltonFrom the late-eighteenth to the mid-twentieth centuries, the German Lied developed and blossomed as a musical genre for amateurs, professionals, homes and concert halls. We trace its history through some of its most important composers.
This course has a scheduled break week on 29 Oct 2025. - Storytelling for business and pleasure 1Course start date: Wed 14 Jan 2026 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Ariella EshedAll cultures respect the world of Story. The ability to tell Stories, in a variety of settings, is a skill that has seen a strong resurgence both in the workplace and in contemporary performance. Gain greater confidence in your communication skills and apply this to your wider experience. This course will be delivered online.
Full fee £189.00 Senior fee £189.00 Concession £132.00 - Beethoven's ViennaCourse start date: Wed 14 Jan 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Katy HamiltonLudwig van Beethoven’s music has come to stand for the greatest and best-known aspects of the Western classical tradition. But who was he? And what exactly did he do? Come and discover more about this most famous Viennese composer.
Full fee £269.00 Senior fee £215.00 Concession £188.00 - Music theory: grade 4Course 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 - Piano/keyboards 2BCourse 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
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