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To read an instructor's bio, just click on his or her name below or click here for the full faculty.

If you need assistance placing your order, call 866-811-4111.

MUSIC

Button Accordion
Martin O’Connell, Wednesdays 6pm-7pm
$140 member / $170 non-member
This course provides detailed description and explanation of how to perform virtually every operation on the Irish B/C button accordion/concertina such as bellows control (basses for the accordion) and ornamentation (grace notes, triplets, rolls, etc.). Aural, rhythm and sight-reading skills will be developed through a diverse range of Irish tunes such as reels, jigs, polkas, slides, and hornpipes. Students will also gain a comprehensive knowledge of regional style approaches to phrasing and rhythm.

Button Accordion II
Martin O’Connell, Wednesdays 7 pm-8 pm
$140 member / $170 non-member
For those with at least two prior semesters of Button Accordion or the equivalent.



Fiddle I: Absolute Beginners
James Cleveland
Monday, 7 pm–8 pm
$115 member / $145 non-member
A course for those with no prior fiddle experience. We will cover holding the fiddle and bow, tuning and producing a good tone. By the end, students will be able to play one or two Irish fiddle tunes.




Fiddle II: Beginners
Caitlin Warbelow, Tuesday, 8 pm–9 pm
$140 member / $170 non-member
In this course, the beginning student will continue to learn the technical aspects of fiddle playing while working on common melodies, polkas, and jigs. Although tunes will be taught by ear, sheet music will be provided at the end of the semester. This class is geared towards students who have taken Fiddle I and/or those who have less than six months experience playing the fiddle.




Fiddle III: Advanced Beginners
Caitlin Warbelow, Tuesday, 7 pm–8 pm
$140 member / $170 non-member
Students in this course will focus on building their repertoire of common session tunes. We will also start to discuss elements of musicality and theory, including how to play in a session and how to create tune sets. Although tunes will be taught by ear, sheet music will be provided at the end of the semester. This class is geared towards students who have taken Fiddle II at least once, or those who have at least one year of experience playing the fiddle.




Fiddle IV: Intermediate
James Cleveland, Monday, 6 pm–7 pm
$140 member / $170 non-member
A course for those who would like to increase their repertoire while playing with others. We’ll learn five or six tunes, mostly jigs and reels, while exploring ornamentation and phrasing. Although tunes will be taught by ear, sheet music will be provided.



 
Fiddle V: Advanced
Caitlin Warbelow, Tuesday, 6 pm–7 pm
$140 member / $170 non-member
Students attending this class should feel comfortable playing common tunes up to speed with other musicians. We will learn new tunes (reels, jigs, hornpipes, and an air) while focusing on ornamentation, style, and musicianship. Improvisation and harmony will be briefly discussed. Although tunes will be taught by ear, sheet music will be provided.

Guitar for Traditional Irish Accompaniment
Wednesday, 8 pm– 9 pm
Peadar Ó hÍcí, $140 member / $170 non-member
Designed for students who have a very basic knowledge of standard guitar playing, this class will teach guitar in relation to accompanying Irish music. Lessons will include: strum techniques, chord structures, and general knowledge of backing traditional Irish tunes.

Introduction to Celtic Harp
Mia Theodoratus, Wednesday, 7 pm – 8 pm
$140 member / $170 non-member
With a focus on learning melodies and basic accompanying patterns, this course is designed for the complete beginner but also welcomes students who can already play a few tunes, know basic hand positioning and a few chord patterns. Starting with the basics, we will gradually work towards exploring variations on melodies and reels.

Intermediate Celtic Harp: Exploring Melody, Chords and Rhythm on Celtic Harp 
Mia Theodoratus, Wednesday, 6 pm – 7 pm
$140 member / $170 non-member
This class is for students who have a basic technique. During the class we will work on technique, basic chord patterns and how to use them with ballads and reels. Students will be encouraged to create their own accompaniment patterns.

Irish Banjo
Pio Ryan, Thursday, 7 pm – 9 pm
(Meets with Irish Mandolin every other Thursday beginning April 18)
$115 member / $145 non-member
For beginning and experienced players alike, students will be introduced to all aspects of Irish tenor banjo techniques along with various regional styles.
Required: Tenor banjo (4 strings) only. Banjos with 5 strings are not taught in this class.



Irish Mandolin
Pio Ryan, Thursday, 7 pm – 9 pm
(Meets with Irish Banjo every other Thursday beginning April 18)
$115 member / $145 non-member
Learn tuning, picking, fingering and holding of a mandolin, as well as practice common scales. As classes progress, students will learn tunes with various types of ornamentation.



Bodhrán I: Beginners
Siobhan Egan, Tuesday, 6 pm – 7 pm
$115 member / $145 non-member
This class covers the basics of the Irish drum with focus on the reel and jig rhythms. Emphasis is placed on learning how to listen to various styles of traditional music and also on Bodhrán etiquette for sessions. Enthusiasm and a love for the music are the only requirements for this class.

Bodhrán II: Advanced Beginners
Siobhan Egan, Tuesday, 7 pm – 8 pm
$140 member / $170 non-member
Bodhrán II introduces the techniques needed to produce a variety of sounds to enhance the accompaniment of melody instruments. Students should feel confident with the reel and jig rhythms in order to fully benefit from this class.



Bodhrán III: Intermediate
Anna Colliton, Thursday, 8 pm - 9 pm
$140 member / $170 non-member
In Bodhrán III, learn to enhance jigs and reels with ornamentation, tonal variation, and syncopation, and expand your repertoire to include hornpipes, slip jigs, hop jigs, slides, and polkas, with the goal of creating versatile and sensitive players who are able to accompany tastefully in whatever style they choose. Students will explore elements of “top end” style bodhrán playing according to the wishes of the class. Students will have access to a website where video and notation will be posted after each lesson, and the class will take at least one field trip to play with the advanced fiddle class upstairs!



Tin Whistle I: Beginner
Laurie Norman, Thursday, 6 pm - 7 pm
$140 member / $170 non-member
No previous music training is required! We’ll start with how to produce a good sound, and you will learn different notes by playing simple, familiar songs. Once you’ve mastered the basics, we’ll play some of the best-loved Irish ballads of all time. Bring a key of-D whistle, or purchase one for $10 in class.

Tin Whistle II: Advanced Beginner
Laurie Norman, Thursday, 7 pm – 8 pm
Please note this class was originally listed on Tuesdays. It will be held on Thursdays. 
$140 member / $170 non-member
If you can already play Irish ballads on the tin whistle, this class will take you to the next level: playing Irish dance tunes. You’ll learn simple but lively examples of the jig, reel, hornpipe, slip jig, fling, Kerry polka and more. Pre-requisite: Beginners Tin Whistle or the equivalent.

Tin Whistle III: Intermediate
Siobhan Egan, Tuesday, 8 pm – 9 pm
$140 member / $170 non-member
If you’ve been playing Irish dance tunes for a while, this class will teach you the secrets of tin whistle ornamentation. You’ll also start expanding your repertoire with a new set of tunes each term. We will learn ornamentation and style through a wide variety of reels, jigs, and hornpipes.
Pre-requisite: II: Advanced Beginner or the equivalent.

Bagpipes: Traditional Irish Music on the Piob Mhor
Tom Downes, Thursday, 7:15 pm – 9:15
$115 member / $145 non-member
A class in traditional Irish piping on the practice chanter. Also open to those with a full set. Tutoring to advanced players.

Irish Music Toolbox: Combined Level I and II
Marta Cook, Wednesday, 8pm – 9pm
$115 member / $145 non-member
The Irish Music Toolbox sequence provides basic musicianship skills that will enable students to learn and retain tunes more easily and enjoy listening to and creating music more. This winter focuses specifically on listening skills. No matter how “good” or “bad” your ear is there are specific techniques and exercises that can improve it. Using practical tools taught in class, we’ll learn about how music works and how the individual perceives it. As we develop our aural awareness, we’ll both improve our ability to pick up tunes and gain a greater appreciation for the beauty and subtlety of Irish music. All new material will be covered. Past Toolbox students as well as new ones are encouraged to take this special combined-level class.

Dance

Two Class Times!
Beginning Step Dance 
Betty Sheehan, TCRG, Monday, 6 pm – 7 pm
Amara Dieter, Wednesday, 7 pm – 8 pm*  (NOTE NEW LOCATION BELOW)
$115 member / $145 non-member
An introduction to the basics of Irish Step Dancing--absolutely no previous dance experience necessary. Walk in with two left feet, and walk out the door knowing at least 2 reels, 2 jigs, and maybe a slip jig or two--more than enough to surprise and impress your friends!
*Beginning Step Dance with Amara Dieter will be held at DANY Studios at 305 West 38th Street, New York, NY
(Monday, 6 pm – 7 pm)
(Wednesday, 7 pm – 8 pm)

Intermediate Step Dance
Betty Sheehan, TCRG, Monday, 7 pm – 8 pm
$115 member / $145 non-member
Prerequisite: at least one semester of Beginning Step Dance or previous Irish Dance experience. Students perfect the dances they already know, learn more complicated steps and rhythms, and get an aerobic workout unlike any other as they progress to the next level of Irish Step Dancing.

Céilí Dancing
Betty Sheehan, TCRG, Monday, 8 pm – 9 pm
$115 member / $145 non-member
For the beginner and experienced dancer alike. Learn or improve on basic footwork, forms, technique and musicality, but most importantly, have fun!

Set Dances
Dan Hunt, Monday, 9 pm – 10 pm
$90 member / $120 non-member
An introduction to some of the more popular set dances, with instruction on basic footwork, transitions between figures and moving to the phrasing of the music.

Beginning Sean-Nós Dance
Megan Downes, TCRG, Wednesday 8 – 9 pm*
$115 member / $145 non-member
Sean-nós dancing is a percussive, free-form style of traditional Irish dancing with roots in the west of Ireland. Playful, rhythmic, and spontaneous, sean-nós dancing works closely with the rhythms of Irish dance music, and is accessible to learners of all ages and skill levels. In this course, you will be taught the basics of the Connemara style of seannós dancing, with a focus on reel steps. Each class will build on the previous week, so that by the end of the course, you’ll have a set of steps that you can perform to traditional music - just in time for St. Patrick’s Day!
*Beginning Sean-Nós will be held at DANY Studios at 305 West 38th Street, New York, NY

IRISH LANGUAGE

Irish Language I: Absolute Beginners
Muireann Ní Chuív, Monday, 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm
$90 member / $120 non-member
A first course in the Irish language, introducing basic vocabulary, pronunciation, grammar, and practical use in conversation.

Irish Language II: Beginners
Eibhlín Zurell, Monday, 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm
$140 member / $170 non-member
A class for those with some basic knowledge of the Irish language, designed to further the students vocabulary and understanding of Irish.

Irish Language III: Advanced Beginners
Muireann Ní Chuív, Monday, 6 pm – 7:30 pm
$140 member / $170 non-member
For those with at least two prior terms of Irish language or the equivalent.

Irish Language IV: Intermediate
Eibhlín Zurell, Monday, 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
$140 member / $170 non-member
For those with at least three prior terms of Irish language or the equivalent.

Irish Language V
Muireann Ní Chuív, Wednesday, 6 pm – 7:30 pm
$140 member / $170 non-member
For those with at least four prior semesters of Irish language or the equivalent.

Tae Agus Comhrá (Tea and Conversation) 
Led by Muireann Ní Chuív
Wednesday, 7:30 pm– 8:30 pm
FREE
Whether you are an absolute beginner, a native speaker, or somewhere in-between, make sure to drop by our comhrá or conversation get-together for a cup of tea and a chat as Gaeilge! A great supplement to our Irish language program and a chance to meet others interested in comhrá and a bit of craic.

MASTER CLASSES

Playwriting Workshop with Deirdre Kinahan

May 11-12 | 11 am – 2 pm

Admission: $80 member, students and seniors / $100 non-member

The event is sold out. Email info@irishartscenter.org or call 212-757-3318 x204 to join the wait list.

BEYOND JIGS AND REELS
Bootcamp for all instruments with Bill Ochs

Sunday, June 9 | 2 pm - 5 pm

We all love jigs and reels! But the Irish music repertoire extends far beyond these popular genres. Piper and music collector Bill Ochs will lead Beyond Jigs and Reels, a workshop devoted to Irish music that you are not likely to hear in your local pub.

Drawing on his private collection that spans three hundred years of written music and over a century of recordings, Ochs will teach planxties and music of the harpers, clan marches, pieces, highlands, mazurkas, barn dances, long dances, quadrilles, slow airs, and more. Come find out what you've been missing and add this great music to your repertoire! 

The workshop is for intermediate level (and above) players of ALL instruments. Transcriptions of tunes will be provided. Students are also encouraged to bring a recording device.

Admission $45 members, students and seniors / $50 non-member


Pipers please note that the workshop will be held in the IAC's Donaghy Theater which has a limited number of seats without arms. So please register early.

For questions about the workshop, please contact Bill Ochs at bill@pennywhistle.com or 212-247-3231.

Workshop presenter Bill Ochs has one of the largest private collections of Irish music manuscripts and recordings in New York. He has been playing, teaching, and collecting Irish music for over four decades. Ochs is author of "The Clarke Tin Whistle," the definitive tin whistle instruction book, now in its twenty-third printing with over 250,000 copies in print. He teaches the Irish flute, tin whistle and uilleann pipes in Manhattan. Ochs has been called a "central figure in the renaissance of the tin whistle" by National Public Radio's All Things Considered and the "leading tin whistle teacher in North America" by The Irish Voice. 

Click here for Master Class Archive

INSTRUMENT RENTALS

Fiddles/Violins

The Music Store
44 West 62nd Street
212-541-6236
Rental cost can apply to purchase

Strings and Other Things
1995 Broadway
6th Floor
212-362-0857
Print out e-mail confirmation of class registration for student discount.

String Works
www.stringworks.com

Johnson String Instruments
http://johnsonstring.com/


Bodhrán

The Drum Works
IAC recommends the 14 in or 18 in, with a tunable interior.


Tin Whistle

Tin whistles can be purchased in class for $10.

Harp

A limited number of harps are available to rent directly from the instructor. Contact Mia Theodoratus via email at harpgrrl@gmail.com to make arrangements.

Button Accordion

For information on acquiring a button accordion, or if you are about to purchase one and need some assistance to make sure it is the proper instrument, please contact the instructor, Martin O’Connell, atmartin.oconnell1@gmail.com.

Banjo and Mandolin

Bernunzio Uptown Music
(585) 473-6140

Astoria Music
718-204-0400

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box office phone 866-811-4111
administrative office phone 212-757-3318 fax 212-247-0930
553 West 51 Street, New York, NY 10019
general information info@irishartscenter.org
office hours Monday-Friday 10 am – 6 pm