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
- Improve your speaking voiceCourse start date: Thu 15 May 2025 (and 5 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Lloyd WyldeCome and improve your vocal skills through voice production and speech exercises. Learn about self presentation, develop spontaneity and gain greater confidence in your communication skills. This is a practical course based in the college.Full fee £149.00 Senior fee £119.00 Concession £104.00 - Voice technique: improversCourse start date: Thu 12 Jun 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Kate MontagueThis course will support your extended vocal development with a focus on resonance, tonality and pitch. Open to those who have completed at least one voice course previously as well as professionals looking to refresh their skills.Full fee £179.00 Senior fee £179.00 Concession £125.00 - Rhythm classCourse start date: Thu 17 Jul 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Mark HuggettSupplement your instrumental or vocal study and improve your musical timekeeping. You will play in class, reading and writing rhythms, and work by ear.Full fee £59.00 Senior fee £59.00 Concession £59.00 - Drumming: introductionCourse start date: Thu 17 Jul 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Mark HuggettFor beginners to learn the practical skills required to play drum kit in contemporary music, including stick technique, four-way coordination, listening and music reading. You will play acoustic and practice kits in class.Full fee £59.00 Senior fee £59.00 Concession £59.00 - The Patsy Rodenburg approach to voiceCourse start date: Thu 17 Jul 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Lloyd WyldeA brief look at the great Patsy Rodenburg's celebrated work in an intensive voice and speech workshop spread over two sessions. - Music, sound, and the moving image
Course start date: Thu 17 Jul 2025Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Neil LuckThis course explores key ideas about music for the screen, covering a broad range of examples, techniques, and ideas.Full fee £89.00 Senior fee £89.00 Concession £62.00 - Great composers: Louise Farrenc Course start date: Thu 24 Jul 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Trish ShawDiscover the musical life and work of Louise Farrenc (1804–1875), the celebrated French pianist, composer, teacher and scholar. Learn about her delightful chamber music, her important piano etudes, and her impact on French music and culture in the 19th century.Full fee £39.00 Senior fee £39.00 Concession £39.00 - Opera appreciation: an introductionCourse start date: Thu 24 Jul 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Pauline GreeneWhat is opera? And how do you approach watching and listening to it? Explore the ostentatious, sometimes overwhelming, world of opera through study of two major works and styles.Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £69.00 Concession £69.00 - Tap dance: beginnersCourse start date: Thu 1 May 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 £179.00 Senior fee £143.00 Concession £125.00 - 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 - 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 1A Course start date: Thu 18 Sep 2025 (and 8 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Jonathan Wilson
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £249.00 Senior fee £249.00 Concession £174.00 - 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 - Men's ballet Course start date: Thu 1 May 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Martin WimpressPerfect if you've never taken a ballet class before, or if you did ballet as a child and want to return. This men’s ballet course provides slow and fun training in how to use your body correctly, with a focus on correct placement, stance and posture.Full fee £129.00 Senior fee £103.00 Concession £90.00 - Radio and podcast presenting: beginnersCourse start date: Thu 18 Sep 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: David SpencerWhat makes a good radio presenter and podcast broadcaster? From getting the script off the page and ad-libbing to music presenting and news reading, develop your own on-air identity, working as live ‘on mic’ each week. This course will be delivered in the media studio.Full fee £249.00 Senior fee £249.00 Concession £174.00
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