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
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- Ballet body conditioning
Course start date: Fri 19 Sep 2025 (and 1 other date)Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Alexander SimpkinsBallet body conditioning combines specifically sequenced exercises including elements of barre, floor work and centre practice and is designed to complement studies in ballet and acting. Ideal for those who already have good physical awareness and have studied a dance discipline at a basic level.Full fee £239.00 Senior fee £191.00 Concession £167.00 - Acting: improvers Course start date: Sun 11 May 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 £279.00 Senior fee £279.00 Concession £195.00 - Recorders: return to playingCourse start date: Mon 15 Sep 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Layil BarrIf you already know the fingering for C to G (or F to C), can read music and play in tune and time, this course will develop your technique and musicianship further. Please bring your own instrument(s). The class is for all recorder types (descant, treble, tenor and bass). Break week 27th October 2025.Full fee £219.00 Senior fee £175.00 Concession £153.00 - Ballet at the barre: online Course start date: Mon 15 Sep 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 £159.00 Senior fee £127.00 Concession £111.00 - Early music ensemble Course start date: Mon 15 Sep 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. 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: 27th Oct 2025.Full fee £299.00 Senior fee £239.00 Concession £209.00 - Acting: beginners Course start date: Sun 11 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 £249.00 Senior fee £249.00 Concession £174.00 - Jazz dance: beginners Course start date: Mon 15 Sep 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 modern jazz dance, learn about posture, co-ordination and essential technique. Learn warm-up exercises, turns, steps and basic kicks along with amazing dance routines. It will help to build your fitness and tone your body too.Full fee £199.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £139.00 - Silver Swans ballet class Course start date: Tue 16 Sep 2025 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Kate ScottSilver Swans® classes have been specifically designed for the over-55s. If you are looking for a new way to keep fit and active, Swans ballet classes will put a spring in your step, whether you’ve never danced before or want to reboot your ballet skills. Classes focus on building the core technical principles and learning specially adapted repertoire from the popular ballets.Full fee £239.00 Senior fee £191.00 Concession £167.00 - 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 - Sing musical theatre workshop Course start date: Wed 30 Apr 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 £299.00 Senior fee £239.00 Concession £209.00 - String ensemble Course start date: Tue 29 Apr 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. 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 £179.00 Senior fee £179.00 Concession £125.00 - 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 £159.00 Concession £139.00 - Piano/keyboards 5ACourse start date: Mon 15 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Simon AtkinsFor pianists with around four years' experience. Improve your finger technique, coordination, phrasing, music
reading, and your confidence. - Singing 1Course start date: Wed 30 Apr 2025 (and 4 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Siobhan BlakeStart singing and explore your voice in this fun, confidence-building course. These classes will introduce you to healthy use of your singing voice and basic musicianship through a selection of songs from a variety of genres. Break weeks: 2 May & 30 May 2023.Full fee £259.00 Senior fee £207.00 Concession £181.00 - Piano/keyboards 3ACourse start date: Fri 19 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 £191.00 Concession £167.00
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