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
- Using your voice for audio books and talking newspapersCourse start date: Mon 13 Oct 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: David ThorpeWould you like to narrate audio books? Are you interested in community work such as talking newspapers for the blind? Explore vocal skills and techniques required in these areas and identify what style works for you. This course will be delivered online.Full fee £179.00 Senior fee £179.00 Concession £125.00 - The art of negotiatingCourse start date: Mon 2 Jun 2025 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
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. This course will be delivered online.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 - Storytelling (intensive)Course start date: Mon 7 Jul 2025
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 confidence and experience in storytelling on this intensive summer course. - Learn to read musicCourse start date: Mon 7 Jul 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Cerys HoggBegin to read music, for instrumental playing and singing. Learn how to understand the notation of pitch, metre and rhythm. For absolute beginners, enjoy these practical sessions online. - 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 - Sing a song in different stylesCourse start date: Thu 17 Jul 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Colette MeuryExplore how to set a song in more than one musical style, song interpretation and solo performance. For singers who have completed courses in contemporary singing, or who have equivalent experience and
musical ability. Live sessions online.Full fee £99.00 Senior fee £99.00 Concession £99.00 - Piano/keyboards 1D
Course start date: Mon 15 Sep 2025 (and 7 other dates)Location on this date: Online
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 finger technique.Full fee £249.00 Senior fee £249.00 Concession £174.00 - Exploring classical music 1Course start date: Thu 15 Jan 2026 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Edward BreenDo you want to know more about Western classical music? Explore selected topics and key works in Medieval to (early) Baroque music on this informative 10-week course. Ideal for people with no specialist knowledge. NB: Break week: 19 Feb 2026.Full fee £219.00 Senior fee £219.00 Concession £153.00 - Piano/keyboards 2C Course 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 1A Course 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 - 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 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 - Guitar: fingerstyle workshopCourse start date: Tue 16 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Tony RowdenFor classical guitar players, this online class will work on technique and fingerstyle versions of Baroque, Spanish and popular music.Full fee £219.00 Senior fee £219.00 Concession £153.00 - Music theory: counterpoint 1Course start date: Tue 16 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Selena KayExplore the art of counterpoint, a musical technique in which two or more melodies are combined to create a highly
engaging musical texture. Over the year you will learn contrapuntal technique from Renaissance to Twentieth Century styles, through score analysis and practical exercises. The course is split into three terms, focusing on Renaissance style in term 1. Break week: 28 Oct 2025.
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