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
- String ensemble: summer seasonCourse start date: Tue 22 Jul 2025
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 £69.00 Senior fee £69.00 Concession £48.00 - Singing for absolute beginnersCourse start date: Tue 22 Jul 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Katherine StrohmaierStart your journey as a singer this summer with this short, enjoyable course. Take your first important steps towards a healthy vocal technique and confidence in your singing.Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £69.00 Concession £48.00 - Great works: Beethoven's Symphony No 9 "Choral"
Course start date: Tue 5 Aug 2025Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Katy Hamilton, Trish ShawBeethoven’s monumental ninth symphony, first performed in 1824, has had an enormous impact on western classical music and on wider European culture. How did Beethoven come to write this work, and what does this symphony still mean to us two centuries after its first performance?Full fee £39.00 Senior fee £39.00 Concession £39.00 - Great composers: Gilbert and SullivanCourse start date: Tue 5 Aug 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Katy HomdenCreators of arguably the most popular and enduring opera in the English language from the 19th century, this course will introduce you to Gilbert & Sullivan’s musical legacy via biographical study and operatic highlights. tutor: Katy HomdenFull fee £59.00 Senior fee £59.00 Concession £59.00 - String ensemble Course start date: Tue 16 Sep 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. To apply for the ensemble please click the pink 'Start your interview' button and someone from the music department will be in touch. Break week 21 Oct 2025.Full fee £219.00 Senior fee £219.00 Concession £153.00 - Piano/keyboards 3ACourse start date: Tue 16 Sep 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 £239.00 Senior fee £239.00 Concession £167.00 - Tap dance: beginnersCourse start date: Tue 29 Apr 2025 (and 7 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Jacqueline PertIf you are new to tap then this is the place to start. Come and find your dancing feet. Suitable for students of all ages with good general fitness. Tap shoes are essential.Full fee £199.00 Senior fee £199.00 Concession £139.00 - Classical ballet: beginners Course start date: Tue 16 Sep 2025 (and 5 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Giovanna LambogliaDesigned for the complete beginner or for those wanting to go back to basics. Develop knowledge and skill in this enjoyable Ballet class which provides a fun and satisfying way to improve alignment, muscle tone, flexibility and coordination. The classes will also help to improve any other dance styles you might be practicing.Full fee £239.00 Senior fee £239.00 Concession £167.00 - Piano/keyboards 1A Course start date: Tue 29 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 £229.00 Senior fee £183.00 Concession £160.00 - Tap dance: improversCourse start date: Tue 16 Sep 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 £239.00 Senior fee £191.00 Concession £167.00 - Piano/keyboards 1D Course start date: Tue 16 Sep 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 finger technique.Full fee £249.00 Senior fee £249.00 Concession £174.00 - Piano/keyboards 1B Course 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 1E Course start date: Tue 16 Sep 2025 (and 3 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 £249.00 Senior fee £249.00 Concession £174.00 - Piano/keyboards 1C Course start date: Tue 29 Apr 2025 (and 8 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
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 £229.00 Senior fee £229.00 Concession £160.00 - Folk and pop guitar 1BCourse start date: Tue 16 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: David HarrisonCome and learn to play more songs! This second term of study will suit you if you have experience of tuning your guitar efficiently, know note names up to the fourth fret, and can play essential folk chord shapes.Full fee £219.00 Senior fee £219.00 Concession £153.00
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