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2026 Workshops
We offer Saturday and Sunday Workshops at the Baltimore Irish Trad Fest, with Saturday being more dedicated to working on individual instruments, and Sunday being more oriented towards topical workshops. Below you'll find what we mean by 'Fundamentals,' 'Intermediate,' and 'Advanced' instrument classes on Saturday, as well as see descriptions for the topical workshops on Saturday and Sunday.
Saturday Instrument Workshops
Saturday Ensemble Workshops
Sunday Topical Workshops
Instrument Classes: Advanced Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced
On Saturday, we offer instrument classes marked 'Advanced Beginner,' 'Intermediate.' or 'Advanced.' These level designations are meant to ensure that you get the most out of your class, and it's important that you choose the class that most fits your level to ensure the best experience. Tunes will be learned by ear in ALL instrument classes, and an instrument and recording device should be brought.
Advanced Beginners: If an instrument class is labeled 'Advanced Beginners', it is meant for students who know the basics of playing their instruments, but may be new to or unfamiliar with Irish traditional music, or may not be able to learn tunes by ear quickly. Advanced Beginner classes are offered both in the morning and afternoon, so that participants can spend a whole day working on the fundamentals of their instrument if they would like.
Advanced Beginner teachers (both AM and PM unless noted):
Banjo/Mandolin (Patrick Winch), Bodhran (Myron Bretholz), Concertina (Claire Shirey), Fiddle (Sarah Collins), Flute/Tin Whistle (Jonathon Srour), Guitar (David McKindley-Ward), Sean Nos/Old Style steps (Catherine Marafino Brice - AM and Megan Downes - PM)
Intermediate/Advanced: If an instrument class is called 'Intermediate', it is appropriate for students who have some experience with their instrument, can learn by ear, and has a decent repertoire of tunes under their belt. If an instrument class is called 'Advanced', it is for students who can play a large number of tunes at dance tempo, and who feel experienced in Irish traditional music. Advanced classes will be faster-paced. Classes marked 'Intermediate/Advanced' would be appropriate for both levels of player.
Intermediate/Advanced Teachers (Both AM and PM unless noted):
Tenor Banjo/Mandolin (Pauline Conneely), Flute (Matt Molloy and Seán Gavin), Bodhran (Josh Dukes), Tin Whistle (Kathleen Conneely), Concertina (Catriona Fee), DADGAD Guitar (Seán Earnest), Button Accordion (Billy McComiskey) Fiddle (Dylan Foley- New York Sligo, Patrick Ourceau - Clare), Piano Accompaniment (Matt Mulqueen), Pipes (Caoimhín Ó Fearghail), Sean Nos Steps (Megan Downes - AM and Catherine Marafino Brice - PM)
Saturday Ensemble Workshops
Youth Ensemble for All Instruments (Frances Cunningham and Joanna Clare)
This class for youth (ages 8-12) is intended for all instruments. Participants should have at least some experience on their instruments, and be able to learn and paly simple melodies. In it, Frances and Joanna will teach a couple of basic tunes, and work up an arrangement as a class for playing those tunes together as an ensemble.
Ensemble for All Instruments (Rose Flanagan and Donna Long)
This class is intended for all instruments. In it, Donna and Rose will discuss arrangement and playing together, and the class will learn and work together to arrange a piece of music.
Sunday Topical or All Levels Workshops
Sunday Workshops will all take place at businesses on the Avenue (36th Street) in Baltimore's Hampden neighborhood.
The Green Room
1:30-3pm Irish Social Dance I
Megan Downes
This class is open to dancers of all levels. This class will encourage you to partner with others and get the most fun out of listening to Irish music. The Pride of Erin, St. Bernard's Waltz, and variations on what Billy McComiskey calls the Catskill Shuffle will highlight some of the skills you can use to dance with friends at music sessions and ceilis. If you want to join the fun, this is a place to start, or add to your repertoire. If you bring a partner, your admission will cover both participants.
3:30-5pm Irish Social Dance II
Megan Downes
This class is open to dancers of all levels, who will work toward comfortable partnering while answering the question, What's an up jig? Megan will help you move to the music with more ease. If you play music and want to develop your sense of phrasing and metre, dance class is a good place to start. Clare sets differ from Connemara and Kerry sets in their steps and groove, evoking regional variations in music. There is space in the dance to improvise footwork based on fundamentals in common with Sean Nós dance. If you bring a partner, your admission will cover both participants.
The Lou Costello Room at Zissimo's
1:15-2pm A Tribute to Brendan Mulvihill
Donna Long, Jim Eagan, Brendan Callahan, Billy McComiskey
A performance and discussion by Brendan Mulvihill's students and musical collaborators celebrating the life of a fiddler that had an outsized impact on the Baltimore area.
2:15-2:50pm Student Ensemble Presentations (FREE)
A presentation by the youth ensemble and adult ensemble classes! This is free and open to the public.
3-3:50pm Traditional Song Workshop
Instructor TBA
This class is open to all singers. In this class, the instructors will share some songs that they like to sing, and will help to build participants' repertoire and appreciation for Irish traditional singing.
4-4:50 Traditional Song Share
Catherine O'Kelly and David McKindley-Ward
A song circle with two of our instructors where participants can bring, present, and share traditional songs.
St. Luke's Church on the Avenue (Sanctuary)
2-2:50pm Reeds Recital
A recital-style showcase of our reeds faculty, including Billy McComiskey, Sean McComiskey, Catrióna Fee, Claire Shirey, Seán Gavin, and Caoimhín Ó Fearghail
3-3:50pm Flute and Tin Whistle Recital
A recital-style showcase of our flute and tin whistle faculty, including Matt Molloy, Seán Gavin,
Kathleen Conneely, Laura Byrne, Marty Frye and Jonathan Srour
4-5:15pm Fiddle and Banjo Recital
A recital-style showcase of our fiddle and banjo faculty, including John Carty, Patrick Ourceau, Rose Flanagan, Dylan Foley, Pauline Conneely, Sarah Collins, Joanna Clare, and Patrick Winch
St. Luke's Church on the Avenue (Downstairs Meeting Room)
2-3:15 Baltimore Tune Repertoire
Joanna Clare and Donna Long (Fiddles)
This class is open to all instruments. In this repertoire class, you will learn a few Irish traditional tunes that are tried and true parts of the unique repertoire in Baltimore's Irish music community. Tunes will be taught by ear, bring your instrument and a recording device.
3:30-5pm Open Session (FREE)
An open un-hosted session for students to gather and share tunes
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