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
- Introduction to music productionCourse start date: Wed 19 Mar 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Max La VillaCome and learn the basics of recording and editing so that you can turn your musical ideas into completed songs you can share!Full fee £179.00 Senior fee £179.00 Concession £179.00 - Screen acting: auditioning and self-taping for TV and filmCourse start date: Wed 11 Jun 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Gary GrantExpert advice and guidance on how to prepare for auditions. This practical course covering techniques and tips on how to prepare for auditions with opportunity to practice in putting those into action.Full fee £299.00 Senior fee £299.00 Concession £209.00 - Exploring the music of Gabriel FauréCourse start date: Wed 26 Feb 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Katy HamiltonGabriel Fauré was born twelve years after the birth of Johannes Brahms, and died six years after the death of Claude Debussy. In his long life he witnessed a remarkable series of aesthetic changes in the music of France, Austro-Germany and beyond, and his own career as a composer, teacher, pianist and organist embraced a tremendous range of influences – as well as having a huge impact on the next generations of Ravel, Nadia Boulanger and Georges Enescu. We explore his life and music in celebration of the 180th anniversary of his birth. * this course has a break week: 4th March.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £129.00 Senior fee £103.00 Concession £90.00 - Contemporary dance: intermediateCourse start date: Wed 26 Feb 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Orley QuickPush your physicality, stamina and strength through technical exercises, dynamic travelling and fluid phrases. Be challenged mentally and physically, take risks and work with full body awareness. This class is appropriate for people who have lots of experience in Contemporary dance and are confident with floor work.Full fee £99.00 Senior fee £99.00 Concession £69.00 - Screen acting: improversCourse start date: Wed 26 Feb 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Robert CavanahBuild your confidence and strengthen your camera technique in this improvers class. Work towards creating more truthful screen performances.Full fee £299.00 Senior fee £299.00 Concession £209.00 - Contemporary dance: general levelCourse start date: Wed 26 Feb 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Orley QuickDevelop your physicality while further enhancing your understanding of contemporary dance, through technical exercises, dynamic travelling and fluid phrases. This class is appropriate for people who are ready to move on from the beginners course or who have previous dance experience.Full fee £99.00 Senior fee £99.00 Concession £69.00 - Acting for radio and podcast dramas: advancedCourse start date: Wed 26 Feb 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: David GoodersonSeeking work in Radio Drama? Explore microphone techniques and acting skills for radio at a higher level. For those who have completed Acting for Radio Beginners and/or Improvers courses or have previous relevant industry experience. This course will be taught in our media studio. - Debating: improversCourse start date: Wed 26 Feb 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Gavin IllsleyFor those who have some experience in debating or related courses, you will progress quickly in areas of content, strategy and style, while honing your articulation and enunciation. This term the course will be taught in the college.Full fee £129.00 Senior fee £129.00 Concession £90.00 - Acting: improversCourse start date: Wed 5 Mar 2025 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Sean CroftContinue your development as you explore a range of exercises and acting techniques that will illuminate and enliven a variety of scripts and scenes. Consolidate techniques and deepen your understanding in a safe and supportive atmosphere.Full fee £199.00 Senior fee £199.00 Concession £139.00 - Mixing and music production techniquesCourse start date: Wed 18 Jun 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Max La VillaIdeal if you know the basics of music production but want your music to sound more polished and professional. Tips and tricks for mixing, using compressors, limiters, EQ, reverb and other devices.Full fee £199.00 Senior fee £199.00 Concession £199.00 - Audition readyCourse start date: Wed 19 Mar 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Simon DarwenLearn how an audition panel sees you in order to maximise your chances of success. Work on your audition speeches in this workshop so your pieces are solid. Ideal if you applying for drama school or preparing for industry castings. - Great works: Ravel's L'enfant et les sortilègesCourse start date: Wed 2 Apr 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Trish ShawThe fantastical opera L'Enfant et les sortileges, by Maurice Ravel, was first performed in March 1925 at the Monte Carlo Opera. Come and explore this delightful work, with plot and libretto by the novelist Collete, and its magical characters and even more magical music.Full fee £39.00 Senior fee £39.00 Concession £39.00 - Great works: Smetana's Ma VlastCourse start date: Wed 9 Apr 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Katy HamiltonAmong the numerous operas, piano pieces, choral and chamber works composed by Bedrich Smetana, surely the best known is his depiction of the river Vltava from his cycle of symphonic poems, Má Vlast. This session explores the origins of Smetana’s six-movement cycle composed across several years, the stories that he conjures in such vivid orchestral colours, and its meaning for Czech national identity in the later nineteenth century.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £39.00 Senior fee £39.00 Concession £39.00 - Piano/keyboards 2BCourse start date: Wed 30 Apr 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Simon AtkinsCan you play grade 1 standard pieces? Work on technique, fluency of reading and explore more complex rhythm patterns.Full fee £229.00 Senior fee £183.00 Concession £160.00 - Piano/keyboards 1CCourse start date: Wed 30 Apr 2025 (and 4 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Simon AtkinsThis 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
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