CLASSES

Pre-registration for Winter term begins December 1

Winter 2012 term begins January 23.
Term lasts eight weeks

Pre-registration December 1-31. Save $10 off total registration!
Registration January 1-January 20.

Go to: MUSIC | DANCE | IRISH LANGUAGE | MASTER CLASSES & WORKSHOPS | INSTRUMENT RENTALS | KIDS

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

*NEW CLASS*
Button Accordion
Martin O’Connell, Wednesdays 6pm-7pm
$140 members / $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.

Fiddle 1: Absolute Beginners Fiddle
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.


*NEW CLASS*    
Fiddle 2: Beginners Fiddle
Caitlin Warbelow, Tuesday, 7 pm–8 pm
$115 member / $145 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 1 and/or those who have less than six months experience playing the fiddle.

*NEW CLASS*
Fiddle 3: Advanced Beginners Fiddle
Caitlin Warbelow, Tuesday, 8 pm–9 pm
$140 member / $170non-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 2 at least once, or those who have at least one year of experience playing the fiddle.


Fiddle 4: Intermediate Fiddle
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 5: Advanced Fiddle
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 members / $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 members / $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 members / $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
$115 members / $145 non-member
(Meets alternate Thursdays beginning January 26)
For beginning and experienced players alike, students will be introduced to all aspects of Irish tenor banjo techniques along with various regional styles.


Irish Mandolin
Pio Ryan, Thursday, 7 pm – 9 pm
(Meets alternate Thursdays beginning February 2)
$115 members / $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.


Introductory Bodhrán
Siobhan Egan, Tuesday, 6 pm – 7 pm
$115 members / $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
Siobhan Egan, Tuesday, 7 pm – 8 pm
$140 members / $170 non-member
Bodhran 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
Anna Colliton, Tuesday, 8 pm – 9 pm
$140 members / $170 non-member
In Bodhrán III, we learn to enhance our jigs and reels with ornamentation, tonal variation, and syncopation, and expand our 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. We 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! If you have questions about the class, please feel free to email the instructor at annacolliton@gmail.com.

Absolute Beginners Tin Whistle
Siobhan Egan, Tuesday, 8 pm – 9 pm 
$140 members / $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.

Advanced Beginners Tin Whistle
Kate Bowling, Tuesday, 7 pm – 8 pm
$140 members / $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. Free practice CD featuring tin whistle great Bill Ochs included. Pre-requisite: Beginners Tin Whistle or the equivalent.

Intermediate Tin Whistle: Intro to Ornamentation
Kate Bowling, Tuesday, 6 pm – 7 pm
$140 members / $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. Tunes are taught by ear and with sheet music. Free practice CD included. 
Pre-requisite: Advanced Beginners Tin Whistle or the equivalent.

Bagpipes: Traditional Irish Music on the Piob Mhor
Tom Downes, Thursday, 7:15 pm – 9:15
$115 members / $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 I
Marta Cook, Wednesday, 7pm – 8 pm
$115 member / $145 non-member
The new Irish Music Toolbox sequence aims to provide basic musicianship skills that will enable students to learn and retain tunes more easily and enjoy listening to and creating music more. As students learn the fundamentals of how music works, they will both develop and improve both ear-learning and sight-reading skills and gain a greater appreciation for the beauty and subtlety of Irish music. Instead of just marveling at how musicians do it, learn how for yourself!

Irish Music Toolbox 2
Marta Cook, Wednesday, 8pm – 9pm
$115 member / $145 non-member
A continuation of Toolbox 1. Keep the momentum going! We'll explore in depth the ideas of tradition and innovation, tension and release, anticipation and the possibilities that exist in the present; see how mind tricks with sound perception can help you understand acoustics and what that has to do with experiencing creativity; and continue building competence with basic skills like solfege and perception of musical relationships and choices.

Dance

Beginning Step Dance
Betty Sheehan, TCRG, Monday, 6 pm – 7 pm
$90 members / $120 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!

Intermediate Step Dance
Betty Sheehan, TCRG, Monday, 8 pm – 9 pm
$115 members / $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 Dances
Betty Sheehan, TCRG, Monday, 8 pm – 9 pm
$115 members / $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 members / $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.

IRISH LANGUAGE

Introductory Irish
Muireann Ní Chuív, Monday, 7:15 pm – 8:15 pm
$90 members / $120 non-member
A first course in the Irish language, introducing basic vocabulary, pronunciation, grammar, and practical use in conversation. A fun way to learn Irish!

Irish Language 2
Muireann Ní Chuív, Monday, 8:15 pm – 9:15 pm
$140 members / $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 grammatical structure and use in conversation.

Irish Language 3
Muireann Ní Chuív, Monday, 6:15 pm – 7:15 pm
$140 members / $170 non-member
For those with at least two prior terms of Irish language or the equivalent.

Irish Language 4
Muireann Ní Chuív, Wednesday, 6 pm – 7 pm
$140 members / $170 non-member
For those with at least three prior terms of Irish language or the equivalent.

Tae Agus Comhrá (Tea and Conversation) 
Led by Muireann Ní Chuív
Wednesday, 7 pm – 8 pm (Begins Wednesday, January 25)
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.

Ornamentation Boot Camp with Bill Ochs

Sunday, May 20 | 1 pm – 5 pm

Drawing on over thirty-five years of teaching experience, Bill Ochs, our resident wind instrument expert, will lead a unique one-day master class for tin whistle, low whistle and flute players. Bill will be teaching a completely different set of tunes from those taught as his previous rave-review Ornamentation Boot Camps. Students who attended past sessions won't want to miss this one!

The class is designed for musicians who feel comfortable playing Irish dance tunes at a moderate pace, but who are novices at ornamentation or would like to review the techniques. The day will start with instruction in simple ornaments (cuts and strikes) and then move on to compound ornaments (rolls and crans). Each ornament is presented within a tune. You’ll not only learn new techniques, but also come away with a series of great new pieces to add to your repertoire.

Bring a tin whistle, low whistle or flute pitched in D to the class. 
Players of Boehm system flutes are welcome to participate.

Fee: $50 non-member / $45 member, senior or student under 16

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

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

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