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: Thu 1 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 - Ukulele 2Course start date: Mon 15 Sep 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Jake RodriguesIf you have been playing ukulele for some months, come and learn new songs and tricks, picking and split strokes, and apply these to popular and vintage tunes. Enjoy learning and playing in a group. Classes will include singing along! no class on 3rd November.Full fee £219.00 Senior fee £219.00 Concession £153.00 - Ukulele 1Course start date: Fri 19 Sep 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Martin WheatleyLearn the essentials of playing the ukulele on this introductory course. You’ll learn complete songs from the first week. Strumming patterns will be taught and applied to various songs. By the end of term you should be able to accompany your own singing or play along to recordings.Full fee £219.00 Senior fee £219.00 Concession £153.00 - Acting: beginnersCourse 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 - Sing musical theatre: ensembleCourse start date: Wed 17 Sep 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Katherine StrohmaierLearn to sing and perform ensemble numbers from popular Broadway and West End shows, from standard classics to modern musicals. Gain confidence performing as a group, and enjoy singing solo within an ensemble.Full fee £279.00 Senior fee £279.00 Concession £195.00 - Pentatonics and beyond: improvising in popular musicCourse start date: Thu 18 Sep 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: David HarrisonStudy how to improvise in popular music. These 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 £219.00 Senior fee £219.00 Concession £153.00 - Sing musical theatre workshopCourse start date: Tue 29 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 £299.00 Concession £209.00 - String ensembleCourse start date: Tue 16 Sep 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. 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 21 Oct 2025.Full fee £219.00 Senior fee £219.00 Concession £153.00 - 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 £199.00 Concession £139.00 - Violin and viola 3ACourse start date: Mon 15 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Robert PuzeyThis course is for players who have been learning violin/viola for two to three years (playing at Grade 2-3 standard), take the next step to learn vibrato, positions above 1st, and improved bow control. This course continues with Violin and viola 3B next term. Break week 20th October 2025.Full fee £219.00 Senior fee £219.00 Concession £153.00 - Singing 1Course start date: Wed 17 Sep 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.Full fee £279.00 Senior fee £279.00 Concession £195.00 - Piano/keyboards 3ACourse start date: Mon 15 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 £239.00 Concession £167.00 - Tap dance: improversCourse start date: Mon 15 Sep 2025 (and 5 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Jacqueline PertPractice and improve your basic tap skills and increase your vocabulary of steps and sequences. Gain a greater understanding of rhythm, tempo and syncopation. Suitable for students of all ages with good general fitness. Tap shoes are essential.Full fee £239.00 Senior fee £239.00 Concession £167.00 - Piano/keyboards 1DCourse start date: Tue 29 Apr 2025 (and 7 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Sarha MooreThis is the second year of our beginners piano programme and repertoire will be of a pre-grade 1 standard. Improve your eye/hand coordination, your reading and technique.Full fee £229.00 Senior fee £229.00 Concession £160.00 - Piano/keyboards 1BCourse start date: Thu 8 May 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
Can't see a course you want?
Add this category to your waiting list to set up alerts and we will update you when new courses are released online.
Add me to waiting list