Class Description - Sean Nós Dance

The following general descriptions apply primarily to melody instruments. Certain instruments offer starter sections for those who are new to the instrument. These classes cover starting technique and care of the instrument and serve as an introduction to Irish music. Depending on skills recognized or obtained, students may move up to Beginner classes sometime during the quarter. Traditional singing and accompanying instruments like bodhran, guitar, harp, and piano will have somewhat different descriptions. Please see the individual descriptions for each class for more details.

Beginner: These classes are for those who are new to the instrument or have limited skills. Note that some instruments will have "Starter" classes due to the nature of the instrument. Students will become familiar with their instruments and will learn to play simpler Irish tunes by ear at slower speeds; tunes that are taught may not be on the tune list for the quarter but may be in the Riley 'Common Core'. Students will learn about the different types of traditional Irish tunes.

Intermediate: Students should have previously been in a Beginner class (or the equivalent in outside private lessons) or have played the instrument for some time in Irish or related styles. Students will continue to learn tunes by ear, with a focus on the current quarter's tune list. Students will learn to play at faster tempos and begin to learn Irish ornamentation and style.

Advanced: These classes are for those who are quite familiar with their instrument and Irish music. Tunes will be taught with the goal of attaining playing them at 'Riley Speed', which can be heard by listening to the tunes on the website. There will be continued emphasis on ornamentation and style, using the current quarter's tune list.

Classes are offered based on instructor availability for the current quarter. Please see the current schedule for this quarter's classes, times and instructors.

Banjo/Mandolin Classes

Bodhran Classes

Button Accordion Class

Concertina Class

Fiddle Classes

Guitar Accompaniment Class

Guitar Classes

Harp Classes

Irish Flute Classes

Piano Accompaniment Class

Piano Accordion Class

Sean Nós Dance

Traditional Singing Classes

Uilleann Pipes Classes

Whistle Classes

Sean Nós Dance

Class	Teacher	Time	Email
Sean Nós Dance (Beginner)	Marissa Weast	1:30

Sean nós dance is a rhythmic, improvisational, close-to-the-ground form of percussive dance with an integral connection to live Irish traditional music. The sean nós dancer’s main aim is to add percussion (foot percussion) to the music, battering out the rhythm, and the general ethos of the dance is to engage closely with that music and the other musicians playing it. This class will practice basic sean nós steps together and we will also go dance together at local sessions from time to time.
Musicians with no dance experience and dancers with no sean nós experience are both encouraged to come. This class is adult-focused and children who can manage themselves in that environment are welcome.
Hard soled shoes (oxford-style dress shoes, cowboy boots) are better to dance in than sneakers but sneakers are OK. Shoes with metal taps are not preferred but are acceptable. If you want to buy a pair of dance shoes, second hand stores can be a great place to find them.