Tenor Banjo/Mandolin

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: Seamus Egan

Int/Adv Bodhrán

Class will focus on developing comfort, speed, and versatility, with the long-term goal of creating skilled and knowledgeable players who are able to accompany tastefully and creatively in whatever style they choose. Classes usually begin with a few simple “no fail” approaches to accompanying jigs and reels, and address other types of tunes, ornamentation (double and single-ended), fills, and tonal variation according to the level/wishes of the class. 
Read about our bodhrán instructor: Anna Colliton

Beginning Bodhrán

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: Liz Knowles

Beginning Fiddle

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 should have at least two years of playing experience and be able to play easily in the keys of D, G, C, and A. 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

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:  Nuala Kennedy

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: Eamon O’Leary

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: Eileen Gannon

Uilleann Pipes

This class will introduce tunes new to students, as a means of exploring elements of technique, ornamentation, articulation, and style. The class will emphasize the development of classic piping technique, through detailed demonstration and discussion, as well as scrutiny of the recordings and approaches of master pipers. The goals of the class are to ‘shorten the road’ for pipers seeking to deepen their understanding of the tradition of Irish uilleann piping; to strive to enable each student to get rewarding and musical returns from the time they spend learning their instrument in class and beyond; and to optimize each student’s ability to make music on their own and with others. A recording device is recommended.
Read about our pipes instructors:  Kieran O’Hare

Tune Writing (Liz Carroll)

Along with learning to play an instrument, and then learning tunes, and joining in sessions and then maybe appearing in concerts and festivals, there’s the very wonderful world of writing tunes! Over the course of three days, we’ll share our own tunes, break down what we love about the tunes we play, and look for inspiration in all kinds of ways.

There are no skill levels required or any other prerequisites needed for this class. (No class limit)
Read about our Tune Writing instructor: Liz Carroll

Whistle

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:  Kevin Crawford