CLASSES

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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.

MUSIC

Guitar for Traditional Irish Accompaniment$140 members / $170 non-member
Shane O’Sullivan, Tuesday 8:00pm– 9:00pm
Designed for students who already have a 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.

Fiddle 1: Absolute Beginners Fiddle $115 member / $145 non-member
James Cleveland, Monday, 7:00pm– 8:00pm
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 2: Advanced Beginners Fiddle $115 member / $145 non-member
Caitlin Warbelow, Tuesday, 7:00pm– 8:00pm
In this class, the beginning student will continue to learn about technical aspects of fiddle playing, while working on a few common Irish reels and jigs.  Although tunes will be taught by ear, sheet music will be provided.

Fiddle 3: Intermediate Fiddle $115 member / $145 non-member
James Cleveland, Monday, 6:00pm– 7:00pm
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 4: Advanced Fiddle $115 member / $145 non-member
Caitlin Warbelow, Tuesday, 6:00pm– 7:00pm
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.

Introduction to Celtic Harp $140 members / $170 non-member
Mia Theodoratus, Wednesday, 5:30pm– 6:00pm
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 $140 members / $170 non-member
Mia Theodoratus, Wednesday, 6:30pm– 7:00pm
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 $115 members / $145 non-member
Pio Ryan, Thursday, 7:00pm– 9:00pm
(Meets alternate Thursdays beginning September 23)
For beginning and experienced players alike, students will be introduced to all aspects of Irish tenor banjo techniques along with various regional styles.

Introductory Bodhrán $115 members / $145 non-member
Siobhan Egan, Tuesday, 8:00pm– 9:00pm
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 $140 members / $170 non-member
Siobhan Egan, Tuesday, 7:00pm– 8:00pm
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 $140 members / $170 non-member
Shane O’Sullivan, Tuesday, 6:00pm– 7:00pm
Bodhrán III furthers the teaching of reels and jigs encompassing dynamic, geographical styles of playing and ornamentation. This terms instruction will include slip jigs, horn pipes, and polkas. Use of triplets and rim shot work will also be included.

Absolute Beginners Tin Whistle $140 members / $170 non-member
Kate Bowerman, Tuesday, 7:00pm–8:00pm
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. Free practice CD featuring tin whistle great Bill Ochs included. Bring a key-of-D whistle, or purchase one for $10 in class.

Advanced Beginners Tin Whistle $140 members / $170 non-member
Kate Bowerman, Tuesday, 6:00pm– 7:00pm
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$140 members / $170 non-member
Kate Bowerman, Tuesday 8:00pm–9:00pm
If you've been playing Irish dance tunes for a while, this class will teach you the secrets of tin whistle ornamentation. A series of eight jigs will show you how to tip, cut and roll like a pro. Free practice CD featuring tin whistle great Bill Ochs included. Pre-requisite: Advanced Beginners Tin Whistle or the equivalent.

Bagpipes $115 members / $145 non-member
Tom Downes, Thursday, 8:00pm– 9:00pm
A class in traditional Irish piping on the practice chanter. Also open to those with a full set. Tutoring to advanced players.

CLASS REGISTRATION

Fall term 2010 begins
September 20
and lasts for 8 weeks

Registration is September 6-17

Click here for a downloadable registration form and fax to 212.247.0930.

Please complete your registration form and register in any of the following ways:

By Phone
With a credit card. Call 212.757.3318 ext.209

In Person
Jan 5 to Jan 15, 11:00am– 6:00pm. (check, credit card or cash)

By Mail
Mail your completed registration form to us with credit card information or a check made payable to the Irish Arts Center. Deadline: Friday, September 17.

Cost:

In response to the many requests, we have combined registration and class fees into a single, flat rate for each class, which is now listed alongside each course description. To accommodate the many students who enjoy taking multiple classes per term, we are pleased to offer a discount of 25% off the non-member rate for each additional class registered for.

Click here to become a member!

A limited number of scholarships are available for those in need. Please contact the office at
212.757.3318 ext.209 to apply.

Please note: unused classes cannot be refunded, rescheduled or credited to another term.

Click here for a downloadable registration form and fax to 212.247.0930