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
- Contemporary dance: beginnersCourse start date: Tue 14 Jan 2025 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Francis AngolThis Contemporary dance class is a dynamic and fun experience based on the principles of Release-technique and some playful explorations. Simple movement phrases and tasks are built upon to develop greater awareness of the body in space and in relation to others. Floor, centre and travelling exercises lead to efficiency of movement, rhythmical and free-flowing dance sequences. There is no class on Tuesday 18 February 2025. - Introduction to actingCourse start date: Mon 17 Feb 2025 (and 4 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Laura BaggaleyA fun one day intensive encounter with the acting process. Increase your confidence and discover your potential in a safe and supportive environment.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £55.00 - TikTok dance workshopCourse start date: Mon 24 Feb 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Bless KlepcharekThis workshop is about having fun, recreating and learning famous TikTok dances. To get you in the mood we will start each class with a 15-20 minute warm up, our professional dancer will then break down the steps and teach you how to execute and perfect them. Don't worry if you're a beginner and have two left feet - this class is for anyone and everyone and welcomes all abilities.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £55.00 - Improvisation traditions in musicCourse start date: Thu 3 Apr 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Neil LuckThis course offers an overview of ways that improvisation has been used, or is central to different musical traditions (Western and Non-western), from the 17th century to the present day. The course touches on Baroque and Classical music, Indian Classical Music, Jazz, the avant-garde tradition, and Pop and Rock.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £89.00 Senior fee £89.00 Concession £62.00 - Acting: plays to change the worldCourse start date: Fri 4 Apr 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Laura BaggaleyThis one-day acting workshop will introduce you to scenes from dynamic modern plays that explore the challenges of our changing world. Discover how contemporary playwrights are tackling the most important themes of our time, including climate change, political turmoil and environmental crises.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £63.00 Concession £55.00 - Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £79.00
- Silver Swans ballet intensive: beginnersCourse start date: Mon 7 Apr 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Kate ScottOur beginners intensive course will work on achieving improved balance, strength and flexibility as well as technical skills giving you the opportunity to further develop your technique and continue your ballet journey through friendly and supportive classes where you will learn dances (also known as variations) from a famous ballet.
Please note that some ballet experience is required even for beginners.Full fee £89.00 Senior fee £71.00 Concession £62.00 - Ballet Easter intensive: Sleeping BeautyCourse start date: Mon 14 Apr 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Alexander SimpkinsStrengthen your passion for and enjoyment of dance though the repertoire of Sleeping Beauty.
Danced to Tchaikovsky's beautiful musical score, Sleeping Beauty has been staged by all major ballet companies. Following a short barre warm-up we will explore some of the characters and dance sequences from this fairy tale classic. The learned material can be showcased on day 3 of this course.
Please note this course is for improvers, you should have attended regular ballet classes for at least 2 years and have good knowledge of classical ballet vocabulary.Full fee £89.00 Senior fee £71.00 Concession £62.00 - Full fee £99.00 Senior fee £99.00 Concession £99.00
- Salsa dance: beginnersCourse start date: Mon 20 Jan 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Bless KlepcharekJoin 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 £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £55.00 - Improvisation in classical musicCourse start date: Fri 13 Jun 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Lindsey FillinghamSurvey the history of improvisation in Classical Music from Plainsong to Paganini on this short music history course.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £99.00 Senior fee £99.00 Concession £69.00 - Full fee £59.00 Senior fee £59.00 Concession £59.00
- Music, sound, and the moving imageCourse start date: Thu 17 Jul 2025
Location 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.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £89.00 Senior fee £89.00 Concession £62.00 - 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 - Music theory: score reading and analysis level 6Course start date: Fri 1 Aug 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Learn to navigate the musical scores, analyse basic structures (harmonic, motivic, and contrapuntal), and identify several baroque stylistic characteristics through the study of Bach: Partita no. 6 in E minor, BWV 830.
NB: this course has a scheduled lunch break of 1 hour
Tutor: www.cheryltan.co.uk.Full fee £59.00 Senior fee £59.00 Concession £59.00
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