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
- Acting: improversCourse start date: Mon 15 Sep 2025 (and 5 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Deirdre Strath ClydeContinue 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 £299.00 Senior fee £239.00 Concession £209.00 - Recorders: return to playingCourse start date: Mon 12 May 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Layil BarrDiscover the joy of this delightful instrument. Learn the basics of fingering and articulation to play melodies both in unison and in ensemble. Please bring your own descant and/or treble. Break week: 26 May 2025.Full fee £179.00 Senior fee £143.00 Concession £125.00 - Ballet at the barre: onlineCourse start date: Mon 12 May 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Alexander SimpkinsAn online barre class from the comfort of your own home. The work you do at the ballet barre is the foundation for all the other work you do as a dancer. Improve your strength, balance and coordination. Not suitable for complete beginners.Full fee £119.00 Senior fee £95.00 Concession £83.00 - Early music ensembleCourse start date: Mon 12 May 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Layil BarrAn ensemble for musicians interested in learning the skills of playing consort music in different instrumental combinations (broken consort). It will be a journey exploring the variety of sound combinations in 17th century repertoire. Break week: 26 May 2025.Full fee £229.00 Senior fee £183.00 Concession £160.00 - Keyboard harmony and performance workshopCourse start date: Mon 12 May 2025 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Ricardo GosalboA practical workshop integrating keyboard harmony with piano performance skills. Taught in-person on a grand piano, this workshop is aimed at classical pianists with a music theory standard of grade 6+ and good sheet music reading skills. We shall deepen our understanding of musical works by studying the harmonic constructs that underpin them, tackle the technical challenges they present, and explore how harmonic analysis can inform our interpretative choices. NB: Break week 5 & 26 May 2025.Full fee £329.00 Senior fee £263.00 Concession £230.00 - Keyboard harmony 5DCourse start date: Mon 12 May 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Ricardo GosalboA practical workshop for classical pianists who are new to studying harmony but have piano skills of grade 5 or higher. Broaden your understanding of piano repertoire by studying the underpinning harmonic constructs. It is recommended you have completed all other modules (A, B and C) in preparation for this class. NB: no classes on bank holiday Mondays (5 & 26 May 2025).Full fee £229.00 Senior fee £183.00 Concession £160.00 - Acting: beginnersCourse start date: Mon 12 May 2025 (and 7 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Cara JenningsExplore the fundamentals of acting on this practical course, designed for people with little or no experience of acting. Increase your confidence and discover your potential in a safe and creative environment.Full fee £229.00 Senior fee £183.00 Concession £160.00 - Salsa dance: beginnersCourse start date: Mon 19 May 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Join us for an energetic and intensive introduction to Salsa. Learn the essential steps and technique in this fun and friendly short course. No need to bring a partner, part of the fun is meeting new people but most of all learning a new dance style whilst having a good time.Full fee £129.00 Senior fee £129.00 Concession £90.00 - Jazz dance: beginnersCourse start date: Mon 19 May 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Clinton GoldsmithThis class is suitable if you are new to dance or if you want to develop your existing skills and confidence.
You will discover the basics of basic modern jazz dance, learn about posture, co-ordination and essential technique. Learn warm-up exercises, turns, steps and basic kicks. Our main aim is to provide a fun practical environment where you can learn to dance.Full fee £129.00 Senior fee £103.00 Concession £90.00 - Radio and podcast presenting: advanced (online)Course start date: Mon 2 Jun 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Allis MossThis is an opportunity to take your love of radio to the next level. The course supports you with a tutor-editor to craft a pre-recorded radio programme or extended feature on a subject of your choice, mixing interview clips, music and sound effects into your own production. This course will be delivered online and is supported by a media technician.Full fee £179.00 Senior fee £179.00 Concession £125.00 - Full fee £89.00 Senior fee £89.00 Concession £62.00
- 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. - Sing musical theatre workshopCourse start date: Mon 15 Sep 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 £329.00 Senior fee £263.00 Concession £230.00
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