Tenor Banjo/Mandolin (Int/Adv)

The class will explore several tunes, including at least one that will be new to all attendees (being a composition of Cathal’s), as well as more common ones that students will likely be familiar with. Within each tune, we will explore different approaches to ornamentation, timing, speeds and other techniques. If time and class size permit, Cathal may provide individualized attention to students to address their particular needs and questions. Due to instrument cross over – Mandolin players are welcome in this class.
Read about our banjo instructor: Cathal Hayden

Tenor Banjo/Mandolin Fundamentals

This focused course is designed to introduce mandolin and tenor banjo beginners to playing traditional Irish Music melodies. It is also ideal for players looking to strengthen and refine their fundamentals.

The instruction begins with foundational skills, such as learning how to hold your instrument, proper picking technique, and methods for achieving the best sound. The curriculum will also cover the major tune types played in Irish music.

Crucially, the skills taught are not limited to just one or two specific tunes. The course places emphasis on exploring methods for learning new tunes, including utilizing notation, tab, and learning by ear, alongside investigating effective online learning resources. The main objective is for participants to gain a fantastic box of tools that they can immediately apply to existing tunes and future learning.

While centered on the mandolin and tenor banjo, the content of these classes is equally relevant to players of related instruments, specifically the tenor guitar, and octave mandolins. The course actively discusses the similarities and differences in approach across these various instruments, with the ultimate goal being to help participants discover their unique traditional voice.
Read about our banjo instructor: Brian Shaw

Bodhrán (Int/Adv)

This class is for intermediate to advanced bodhrán players. Attendees should know how to play basic motor rhythms of common Irish tune types (double jigs, slip jigs, reels, hornpipes). This class will cover a variety of more advanced techniques, such as incorporating double-downs (tap-downs), cross-sticking, syncopation, tonal techniques, and more. Students will gain insight into how more complex techniques can be implemented to provide interesting playing while still maintaining solid support for the melodies. Bring your instrument, tipper, recording device, something to take notes, and all your goals and questions!
Read about our bodhrán instructor: Colm Phelan

Bodhrán Fundamentals

This progressive course is ideal for those new to the instrument as well as players looking to strengthen and refine their fundamentals.

Students will receive instruction on proper hand and tipper technique, use of the back hand for tonal variation, and focused drills to build consistent stroke, tone, speed, and timing. The course is built around learning the rhythms of common Irish tune types including jigs, reels, hornpipes, slip jigs, and polkas, and how to accompany them properly.

As the class develops, students will also receive an introduction to more advanced techniques presented in a musical and accessible way, along with guidance on how to choose supportive accompaniment patterns once the basics are in place.

Bring your bodhrán, tipper, recording device, something to take notes, and your questions and goals. This is a practical, supportive class designed to help players grow steadily and confidently over time.
Read about our bodhrán instructor: Robert Shaddox

Concertina (Int/Adv)

The class focuses on practical skills to help you play the concertina with more confidence and ease. Caroline will teach a selection of tunes by ear and use them to work on key techniques such as ornamentation, rhythm, phrasing, and bellows control.
We’ll cover:
        •        Clear, useful approaches to cuts, rolls, and other ornaments
        •        How to keep steady rhythm and lift in your playing
        •        Simple ways to add variation and expression
        •        Tips for smoother, more relaxed technique

The class is best suited for intermediate players who can pick up basic tunes by ear.

Caroline’s teaching style is straightforward and supportive, with plenty of time for questions and steady, practical learning.
Read about our concertina instructor:  Caroline Keane

Fiddle (Int/Adv)

Through the learning of a couple of tunes, Liz will address a number of ways of looking at playing, practicing and enjoying Irish music on the fiddle. These will include ways to explore and expand your tone as well as an exposure and/or understanding of the tone of some well-known (or maybe not well-known!) players, practice methods for increasing speed, an overall sense of pulse and rhythm, style and developing your own voice in the tunes while staying ‘close to the well’ of the tradition, deeper aspects of style like gesture, flow, musicality, as well as looking at various approaches to developing and enjoying improvisation. Please bring a recorder and your questions!
Read about our fiddle instructor: Liz Knowles

Fiddle Fundamentals

This introductory course is designed for those who already play the violin but are new to Irish music and want to explore a new musical language. Students can get a taste of the style by signing up for a single day of participation or can take a deep dive and participate in the full, three-day workshop.

We will cover a variety of common tune types throughout the three days so that students leave with a varied and practical repertoire. As we learn each tune, we will incorporate ornamentation and bowing that helps to capture the characteristic sound of Irish fiddling, as well as talk about how to transfer these ideas to new tunes on your own.

Students will learn all techniques and tunes by watching and listening, as this is an essential part of learning to play authentically. Sheet music and additional resources will be provided afterwards to help you keep practicing.

Feel free to send Katie a note via our contact page if you’d like guidance in determining whether or not the class is a good fit for you!
Read about our Intro to Irish Fiddle instructor: Katie Geringer

Flute (Int/Adv)

This intermediate/advanced class will cover more complex skills in flute playing including advice on rhythm, use of the breath, and ornamentation. The instructor will answer questions about the finer points of Irish flute playing and teach tunes from the repertoire of Irish traditional music. Students are expected to know the fundamentals of playing the flute, including posture, hand position, breathing techniques, and basic ornamentation, and should be able to play (at least) a few tunes. Participants should bring an Irish-style (wooden) flute, though advanced silver flute players can also benefit from this class.
Read about our flute instructor:  Kieran O’Hare

dadgad Guitar / accompaniment (Int/Adv)

In this class for intermediate to advanced students, players will work on different strumming techniques to a variety of types of tunes (reels, jigs, slip jigs, hornpipes, polkas, slides), add dynamics to their playing through syncopation and emphasis, confident chord substitutions, fingerpicking techniques, tips and tricks for playing in sessions, and how to work out the right chords for tunes. Students should be familiar and comfortable with strumming, have a good working knowledge of Irish music and of music theory.
Read about our guitar instructor: Nathan Gourley

Harp

LOVE SONGS, LULLABIES & LAMENTS

For centuries, the Celtic harp has been played to express the deepest sorrows and joys of life. In this class, we’ll learn a sampling of beautiful slow airs from Ireland, Scotland, Brittany and the Isle of Man, along with plenty of ideas for left-hand
accompaniment. We’ll also explore the legendary “Noble Strains of the Harp”
— Geantraí (joy strain), Suantraí (sleep strain), and Goiltraí (sorrow strain), and their significance today for modern harpers.

[Intermediate level, but experienced beginners are welcome to attend. The tunes will be on lead sheets.]

Students can get a taste of the style by signing up for a single day of participation or can take a deep dive and participate in the full, three-day workshop.
Read about our harp instructor: Kim Robertson

Uilleann Pipes Fundamentals/Int

In contrast to most piping classes, the students will be asked to familiarize themselves with a few specific tunes before the Cruinniu and we will spend most of the class time learning quite a few techniques and especially when and where to apply them to those tunes in support of the pulse of the music. This will provide the student with a robust toolkit that can be applied to any other tunes. Some techniques may be challenging to incorporate during class but you will go home with lots to work on and a clear view of the target.

Students should arrive with a working D practice set, half set, or full set. If a student has issues with their pipes, we may be able to assist in getting them working better, especially remotely or in person on the Thursday before official events begin. Basic ability to read sheet music will be helpful but not required.

Feel free to send John a note via our contact page if you’d like guidance in determining whether or not the class is a good fit for you!
Read about our piping instructor: John Liestman

Song

The  Gaelic translation of “sing a song” is “Abair Amhrán” – literally “tell” a song. The incredible story of Ireland is written in song, and this course will help students explore the importance of song in the Irish music tradition. There are no prerequisites. If you simply want to sing in private or public, then this courses is for you.

You will learn singing in the traditional Irish style. Songs taught will be from the Irish folk tradition and may in Irish Gaelic or English. Lyrics are provided and a pronunciation guide for Irish songs. Expect to hear some Irish wit and learn a bit of background to the Munster/ West Kerry style which is specific to Eilís’s singing. Basic ornamentation will also be covered..
Read about our song instructor: Éilís Kennedy

Whistle (Int/Adv)

This class is for students who are skilled enough to play tunes in a variety of rhythms (jigs, reels, hornpipes etc), with good technique and at a reasonable tempo. New tunes will be taught with time spent on ornamentation, breathing, style and repertoire, and a strong emphasis on the rhythm and phrasing in the music. Tunes will be taught aurally so bring a D whistle and recording device.
Read about our whistle instructor:  Kathleen Conneely