2026 Irish Journeys
Everyone is on a journey. What makes our journeys more interesting are the things that broaden our knowledge, enrich our experience, and help build connections.
One hour per day will be devoted to the Irish Journeys. Friday and Sunday there will be two selections. Saturday will have three choices.
It is not necessary to pre-register for these. They are included with your class package.
We will discuss all the techie topics that are often not covered in ITM workshops.
All Fretted Instruments:
- Pick thickness, pointiness, shape, materials and their effect on sound and playability
- How to and when to change strings
- Ergonomics – how to hold instrument to avoid body pain
- Problems with frets, neck relief, nut slots
- Instrument care (string changing, when to change strings, don’t lock in car in hot sun, fingerboard oiling, string lube, nut lubricants)
- Paraphernalia: electronic tuners, straps, lap pads
Banjo-specific:
- 17 vs 19 fret vs actual scale measurements and their effect on string gauges
- Head types, head tension, differences between bridge styles
Mandolin-specific
- Differences between oval and F holes, flat tops vs carved tops, etc.
Open discussion and questions
We’ll take a deep-dive look at an old, old melody that has shown up in various permutations in some surprising places—over centuries—across the Irish, Scottish, English, and American traditions. I’ll play and discuss examples of how this tune has shown up as (among other things) a jig, a hornpipe, an old-time fiddle tune, and as the melody to
In an updated version of Liz’s previous Cruinníu talk, Liz will continue to explore some general practice concepts from both a traditional music practice and the classical foundations of practice–ideas such as repetition, technique and skill building, building repertoire, personal expression, and others–while defining some practical approaches along the way. Liz will invite and encourage discussion so bring your experience and ideas with you.
From my perspective as a native Gaelic speaker, my approach to singing is informed by this language to a large extent. I will briefly touch on unaccompanied Sean Nós styles of singing and the variations of it. One song, “Ámhrán na Leabhar“, will be the focus. Secondly, a well-known Irish song in the English language will be learned and sung. This talk is for participants who enjoy singing, as opposed to performing, a song. A few variation/grace notes in the playing and singing of an Irish language song /air will be introduced. This would be a good addition for instrument players who are familiar with slow airs.
We’re always getting told to listen, listen, listen if we want to learn Irish traditional music. It’s true, but sometimes it’s hard to know exactly what to listen for. We’ll discuss exactly that—the vastly complex data stream that is a tune, how to decode it, and how to get the most useful information out of it. The goal is to open different, exciting, and new possibilities and dimensions of the listening experience.
“Duchas” is an Irish word that stresses the interconnectedness of people, land, culture and an ecological balance between all entities. Duchas means building or strengthening intuition. Our intuition is the way we choose to act based on a collection of all that we have experienced and know. Musical improvisation, like improvisation in life, is built on and fueled by our intuition, what we know, how we react, how we respond and what we choose to do with those interactions. Irish music, and in fact, all traditional musics, are the living breathing musical intuitions of musicians. What can we learn from this? How can we apply this to our own practice and knowledge of our own, particular style of music?
Rise is a deeply personal exploration of music, memory, and place, shaped by tradition, motherhood, and dedicated to the strong women who have been part of my journey. In this talk, I share the story behind the album, from the origins of each tune and where I first learned them, to shaping them into a cohesive musical journey. I explore the thinking behind the arrangements, the role of guest musicians, and the creative decisions that brought the project to life. Offering a behind-the-scenes insight, this presentation invites listeners into the heart of Rise and the world that inspired it.