Dance Workshops
Maldon is a world-renowned teacher of Irish set, céilí, sean-nós step, Appalachian flatfooting, and Cape Breton dance. She provides instructions for all ages and all levels, and can also lead and call group dances. Send us a message if you are interested - she comes with built-in band!
Céilí Dance:
This workshop explores Irish social figure dancing. These dances can be done in lines, circles, or squares, and can include from 8-80 people! Great for all ages and skill levels.
Sean-nós Step Dance:
Sean-nós (meaning old-style) dance, is a highly improvisational, low to the ground, rhythmic dance form, usually danced solo in close connection with the music.
Set Dance
Explore the most popular form of traditional social dancing in Ireland today. Sets are danced in square formation, often with rhythmic footwork. Learn to dance to reels, jigs, slides, polkas, and hornpipes!
Brush Dance
In this workshop, we cover the basics of the traditional solo brush or broom dance, performed with intricate steps along with a broom instead of a partner!
Workshops for Musicians & Dancers
Playing Music for Dancers
These days, it's rare for musicians and dancers to come together to explore how the traditions truly fit hand in hand. This workshop brings them back together! Irish instrumental music is dance music, and this is a unique opportunity to discover it collaboratively. Work with your current repertoire and learn tunes as we show what makes a tune danceable. Whether you're just starting out or are already an experienced dance player, you'll gain something from this workshop.
A History of Irish Dance and Music
Explore the rich history of Irish dance and muis from the earliest records, throughout centuries of practices and changes, and learn about the current Irish dance genres such as céilí, set, sean-nós, old-style traditional step, modern Irish competitive dance, and contemporary trends like Riverdance. This demonstration can include videos, demonstration, handouts, performance, and hands-on teaching.
Music Workshops
We also teach workshops in traditional singing in English, sean-nós (old style) Irish language singing, and the following:
Ben Roberts: Fiddle, bouzouki, guitar
Autumn Rhodes: Irish flute, tin whistle, Anglo concertina, uilleann pipes
We can provide general tune learning classes for all instruments or instrument-based technique classes that will include instruction on phrasing, fingering, style, and rhythm (as well as tunes!)