Tenor Banjo/Mandolin (Int/Adv)

Intermediate/Advanced Tenor Banjo
The intermediate/advanced banjo class will be suitable for students who can pick up tunes by ear and in a variety of time signatures (jigs, reels, hornpipes). It may be helpful too for students to have a recording device. ABC notation can be supplied if needed. Due to instrument cross over – Mandolin players are welcome in this class.
Read about our banjo instructor: David Howley

Int/Adv Bodhrán

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: Paul McClure

Bodhrán Fundamentals

This class is for the beginning bodhrán player. Attendees will review the anatomy and brief history of the Irish frame drum, how to properly hold and strike the bodhrán, how to incorporate the back hand for tonal variations, and drills to work on basic stroke and tone types. Tune types will include jigs, reels, hornpipes, slip jigs, and polkas. We will also have a segment about deciding what to play to accompany tunes once you have the basics of the instrument under your belt. Bring your instrument, tipper, recording device, something to take notes, and all your goals and questions!
Read about our bodhrán instructor: Robert Shadoxx

Int/Adv Fiddle

Been playing fiddle for a while but ready to delve a bit deeper into the techniques and intricacies of Irish music? We will address some of the bumps in the road for players moving from intermediate to advanced and beyond by learning a few tunes and diving into them fully to understand the music, find practice techniques, and develop style. The class will be tailored to the level of students, but you can expect to dig into ornamentation, technique, tune type/structure and basic theory, learning by ear, set making, concepts of flow and buoyancy in bowing, and how to hear and create style in your playing. Please bring your questions! All tunes will be taught by ear and slow/fast recordings will be provided during the class.
Read about our fiddle instructor: Caitlin Warbelow

Fiddle Fundamentals

The Fiddle Fundamentals class is designed for those who are early in their Irish music journey or are new to Irish music and want to explore a new musical language. Irish traditional music is an aural tradition, and we will start from square one with learning by ear – a skill that we’ll build on throughout the weekend. 

We’ll cover a variety of common tune types so that students leave with a varied and practical repertoire. As we learn each tune, we’ll 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 phrasing, breath control, and advanced ornamentation.  The instructor will answer questions about the finer points of Irish flute playing and teach tunes from the Irish repertoire.  Students are expected to know the fundamentals of playing the flute including posture, hand position, breathing techniques, and an introduction to ornamentation. Preferably, participants should bring an Irish flute, though advanced silver flute players can also benefit from this class. 
Read about our flute instructor:  Michael McGoldrick

DADGAD Guitar

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: John Doyle

Harp

This class is for harpers who are comfortable playing at a reasonable tempo and play with correct basic technique. This class will explore how to play Irish tunes. It will look at the phrasing and techniques which make a tune sound Irish. Pieces will be chosen from a selection of Irish traditional dance tunes, airs, and harpers’ tunes, tailored to suit intermediate to advanced players.  Elements of Irish style and ideas for accompanying other instruments will also be discussed. We will use listening as a way to get a feel for the Irish sound.  Written music will be provided.
Read about our harp instructor: Therese Honey

Concertina

Coming Soon!
Read about our pipes instructors:  Brenda Castles

Storytelling

Máirtín gets no more joy out of life than the telling of stories. In this class he will use Irish Myths and urban legends to demonstrate and teach two main ideas of the Yarnspinner: that of the Mask of the Storyteller and The Game between listener and teller, which are crucial elements to anyone telling stories at any level. He will also impart how to make a story your own, along with discussions about important nuances in storytelling such as presentation and cadence of speech. You may be asked to take the stage during class if you are so inclined. 
Máirtín will also give a short survey of Irish mythology in which he will dip into works like The Ulster Cycle, The Fenian Cycle, the 12th century writings, the International Traveling Folktale, and maybe even a few the lesser known Fairy stories in his own inimitable and highly entertaining style. 

*There are no skill levels required or any other prerequisites needed for this class. (No class limit).
Read about our Storytelling instructor: Máirtín De Cógáin

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:  Colin Farrell