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
- Pentatonics and beyond: improvising in popular musicCourse start date: Sat 19 Jul 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: David HarrisonStudy how to improvise in popular music. These two practical sessions are for players of any instrument. Get to grips with improvisation in this exploration of common scales and approaches to improv in pop, rock, blues, folk and jazz. We’ll look at blues scales, pentatonics, extension notes and more to help you get the most out of your improvisation.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £79.00 - Stage combat: unarmedCourse start date: Sun 20 Jul 2025
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 - String Summer School
Course start date: Sun 20 Jul 2025Location 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.
Sunday 20th July
Friday 25th July
Sunday 27th July. - Classical actingCourse start date: Mon 21 Jul 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Laura BaggaleyBroaden your skills and discover the freedom to act with classical text in a safe and fun environment, playing with a range of texts from Ibsen to Oscar Wilde. Gain the confidence to tackle different styles of language and performance through practical exercises and scene work. - Summer choirCourse start date: Mon 21 Jul 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Richard Hartley-WilsonSinging with others is great fun, and has been proven to be good for your health. Join us for this short course and get started over the summer to see how it can benefit you. Suitable for all levels, no audition required. - Baroque instrumental ensembleCourse start date: Mon 21 Jul 2025
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 £99.00 Senior fee £99.00 Concession £69.00 - Classical music: an introductionCourse start date: Mon 21 Jul 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Pauline GreeneAre you interested in finding out more about classical music but not sure where to start? This taster course will introduce you to the history of music through a careful choice of works. - Actor summer school: beginnersCourse start date: Mon 21 Jul 2025
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. - Sing musical theatre workshop Course start date: Tue 22 Jul 2025 (and 8 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Katherine StrohmaierThis popular course explores musical theatre singing. Grow your knowledge of the repertoire. Suitable for singers and actors wanting to improve their singing and 'acting through song' technique. Be guided through the basics to find the right singing qualities for this repertoire.Full fee £99.00 Senior fee £99.00 Concession £69.00 - Vocal recording: production techniques Course start date: Tue 22 Jul 2025
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. - 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 - Piano/keyboards: revision for levels 1 and 2Course start date: Tue 22 Jul 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Ana Claudia MagalhaesStudy pieces from the current Grade 2 piano syllabus. Learn the required scales and try some aural tests. An ideal way to boost your learning over the summer.
Tutor: Ana Claudia Magalhaes.Full fee £109.00 Senior fee £109.00 Concession £76.00 - Piano/keyboards: revision for levels 3 and 4 Course start date: Tue 22 Jul 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Ana Claudia MagalhaesStudy pieces from the current ABRSM Grade 3 piano syllabus. Learn the required scales and try some aural tests. An ideal way to boost your learning over the summer. Tutor: Ana Claudia Magalhaes.Full fee £109.00 Senior fee £109.00 Concession £76.00 - Recorder ensemble: study dayCourse start date: Wed 23 Jul 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Caoimhe de PaorLearn to play ensemble music for recorders, with repertoire ranging from early to present day. Suitable for recorder players who have been learning for at least a year and can read music.
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