Irish Fest Summer School Classes

Arts and Crafts | Culture | Dance | Language | Music - Instrumental | Music - Song | Workshops | Samplers

Arts and Crafts:

Calligraphy
Learn the history and techniques of Celtic calligraphy. Students will be taught how to hold the pen, use the line sheet, do basic strokes, and form Celtic words and quotes. A $7 materials fee is payable to the instructor on the first day of class.
Instructor: Linda Lubner

Crochet - Aran Style
This class will introduce students to crochet techniques, patterns and materials from the Aran Islands.
Instructor: Rosaleen Hegarty

Knitting - Intermediate/Advanced Aran
Learn finishing techniques that eliminate sewing and easy ways to adapt your own patterns.
Instructor: Rosaleen Hegarty

Sugan Weaving
Learn to assemble your own stool using mortise and tenon techniques, and to weave the seat in the Connemara style. At the end of the course you will leave with a stool and sugan woven seat. Materials provided with fee of $50 payable to instructor.
Instructor: Grant Taylor

Wood Carving
This hands-on class in wood carving of Celtic letters is limited to eight students per class.
Instructor: Grant Taylor

Culture:

Introduction to the Life and Work of C.S. Lewis
This class will identify Irish influences on the wellknown writer, who was born in Belfast. The first topic, Irish Roots in a Belfast Garden, explores these influences through a number of intriguing questions. The second, An Emigrant of Letters, is an overview of Lewis’ literary work during his years at Oxford and Cambridge universities. The third, Themes from the Work of C.S. Lewis, traces the origins and development of the writer’s themes and invites the discovery of a fascinating new world for those engrossed in the “Shadowlands.”
Instructor: Alexander “Sandy” Smith

Irish American Musical History
History of Irish American music with Mick Moloney, in three parts: “Far From the Shamrock Shore: Songs of Irish immigration and settlement in North America;” “Harrigan, Hart and Braham and the beginnings of American Musical Theater;” and “If It Wasn't For the Irish and the Jews: Irish American Music in Vaudeville and Tin Pan Alley.”
Instructor: Mick Moloney

Peace and the Artist’s Influence
Tommy Sands adds his knowledge and experience of the former “Troubles” of Northern Ireland to an already intimate understanding of the role of music as a vehicle for peace.
Instructor: Tommy Sands

The Dunn Cylinders – CD Launch Party
Come and hear about the Dunn Family Collection and these lost recordings from circa 1904. Hosted by Barry Stapleton and Jeff Ksiazek of the Ward Irish Music Archives. The music from these cylinders is now on a CD which will be launched at this event.

30 Years – Reflections on Milwaukee Irish Fest
Ed Ward, founder of Milwaukee Irish Fest, along with some of the festival’s friends discuss, reminisce and reflect on past festivals and the impact on Irish music. Bring your thoughts and experiences and join in.

Songs and Stories from the North
Join three of Northern Ireland’s favorite sons for a night of music songs and stories. Len Graham, Tom Sweeney, and Tommy Sands.

Dance:

Irish Social Dances: Ceilis, Sets, Figures and Country Dances of Ireland
Looking for an interesting dance experience? This class will offer a variety of Irish social dances including ceili progressive and figure dances, some two-hand dances both traditional and modern, and an Irish set dance. Each class will cover some of each type of dance.
Instructor: Gail (Clark) McElroy

Sean Nos Dance
This class explores “sean nos” or “old style” dance, the loose-limbed, improvisational style of traditional solo dancing.
Instructor: Brian O’Cuinneagain

Set Dance - Intermediate/ Advanced
Two sessions of set dance – Tues. through Thurs. 12:30 - 2:30 p.m. or Mon. through Fri. 7-9 p.m. — are taught by a master of the art. Class content will depend on makeup of class.
Instructor: Tony Ryan

Language:

Irish, Beginning
Simple greetings, basic conversation, sampling of blessings, curses and proverbs are all part of this course in one of Europe’s oldest languages.
Instructor: Bairbre Ni Chiardha

Irish Anthology, Sult
This bilingual workshop for students and fans of the Irish language will include verse, drama, song and fun. It is aimed at intermediate and advanced levels, but beginners are welcome.
Instructor: Ray Mac Mánais

Music - Instrumental:

Bodhran - Beginning
Our local expert shares the basics of the Irish drum, the bodhran (bow-rawn). Topics include the history of the instrument, its evolution and use in traditional Irish music, a discussion of playing styles and an introduction to session etiquette. Students will learn basic techniques for the two most popular forms of traditional Irish music, the jig and the reel.
Instructor: Patrick Roe

Bodhran, Intermediate
This class is for students at a level of proficiency that includes the ability to play basic patterns of traditional Irish music forms, the jig and reel, in the Kerry or rhythmic style. A basic understanding of tone control is also desirable. This is a transitional class; discussions and applications will include top-end and hybrid styles, double down sticking, playing musically and more. In addition, other music forms that were not covered in the beginning class will be introduced.
Instructor: Paul Marshall

Bodhran, Advanced
This class is intended for players with a practical understanding of the most popular forms of traditional Irish music, and experience playing with other musicians. The focus is on the top-end style of playing, for those seeking to develop their tonal palette. Discussions and applications will include: using the right tipper, the most effective use of this style, drum types, single-ended triplets and more. The class is suitable for advanced players currently playing the Kerry style, who have taken the Intermediate class and wish to take their playing to the next level.
Intsructor: Paul Marshall

Bouzouki, Intermediate/Advanced
Mick Broderick uses a multifaceted approach to teach the instrument’s role in accompaniment within traditional Irish music. This includes listening to, discussing and playing the various styles used by renowned bouzouki players; introducing approaches to accompany different types of tunes and songs; exploring ways to use the bouzouki as a lead instrument and implementing strategies for improving technique.
Instructor: Mick Broderick

Concertina, Intermediate/Advanced
Taught by Aogán Lynch, who plays concertina and whistle with the band Slide. He is an experienced concertina teacher and has done workshops in Ireland including The Tubbercurry Summer School in County Sligo. He has also been invited to teach workshops throughout Europe. Aogán recently published a collection of Irish tunes and has a unique repertoire of melodies from the South of Ireland including slides and polkas. Aogan uses C/G Anglo Tuning.

Fiddle, Beginning
Children (age 6+) and Adults Welcome! This class is for students who know the basics of the violin/fiddle, and have only been playing for a short time. Students must know the names of their open strings and how to hold the instrument properly. They need not know how to read music, but must know note names. This class will cover simple tunes and rhythms, and possibly some very basic ornamentation. It will be taught both by ear and with sheet music, if needed.
Instructor: Kaitlin Hahn

Fiddle, Intermediate; and Fiddle, Advanced with Daire Bracken
Daire Bracken will teach two classes, one for intermediate level musicians and one for advanced level musicians
Instructor: Daire Bracken

Fiddle, Intermediate; and Fiddle, Advanced with Liz Carroll
Liz Carroll will teach two classes, one for intermediate level musicians and one for advanced level musicians.
Instructor: Liz Carroll

Fiddle - Transitions (NOT FOR BEGINNERS)
This class is for students who are accomplished in classical violin and would like to learn the Celtic style. The class will cover a variety of tunes, dance rhythms, and ornamentation. It will be taught by ear and demonstration, so please bring a recording device. Students will learn how to relate their foundation of classical music to the Celtic style.
Instructor: Ed Paloucek

Flute, Intermediate/Advanced
Taught by Éamonn de Barra, who plays flute, piano and bodhran with the band Slide. He has been teaching flute for many years at festivals and schools both in Ireland and abroad including Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, Paris Association Irlandaise and Willie Clancy Week. He has collaborated with many other Irish artists including Sinéad O’Connor and was a member of the Damien Dempsey Band.

Guitar, Intermediate/Advanced
Taught by Dave Curley, the band Slide’s multi-instrumentalist, “velvet” voiced singer and dance prodigy. He studied music and dance at the University of Limerick and teaches guitar as well as other stringed instruments privately and in local Galway schools. Dave has performed with many artists including Paddy Keenan.

Tin Whistle – Beginning
This course is for those who have no experience on the whistle and would like to play simple tunes. The course will require a “D” tin whistle. We will learn how to hold the instrument, identify the notes and play a few simple tunes. If time permits, we may learn a couple of Irish ornaments. This course is all about fun and should be fairly stress-free. The instructor likes to laugh and so should you!
Instructor: Brett Lipshutz

Tin Whistle – Intermediate/Advanced
Taught by Joanie Madden, Irish Fest favorite and Grammy winning whistle and flute player. She has been the leader of Cherish the Lades since its inception. She was the first American to win the coveted Senior All-Ireland Championship on the whistle and was the youngest member inducted into the Irish- American Hall of Fame. Joanie was twice voted one of the Top 100 Irish-Americans in the United State and Traditional Musician of the year.

Music - Song:

Sean Nós Song
Len Graham’s class offers “old style” songs from Ulster in the English language. His breadth of knowledge from a lifetime of collecting and singing has led to his being in demand for song, storytelling and literary festivals in Ireland and abroad.
Instructor: Len Graham

Songwriting
Have you ever wanted to write a song but did not know where to begin? This class will examine all aspects of songwriting from the initial ideas to the finished song. We explore the various steps along the way to completing a song and discuss the tips and tricks for increasing your creativity and becoming a song writer.
Instructor: Robbie O’Connell

The Ballad Tradition
Singer-songwriter Tom Sweeney will share his vast knowledge of the ballad tradition, in a great class for singers and those who love folk song. Tuesday—The Songs of Sam: The largest single collection of Irish folksongs is Sam Henry’s Songs of the People, published in the Northern Constitution newspaper in Coleraine, Co. Derry, between 1923 and 1939. Tom will examine the importance of this recently re-published collection and share some of the 700 songs in the work. Wednesday–The Green Fields of Canada: The Irish who landed and settled in Canada brought a wealth of songs and stories with them. Tom will discuss the work of Canadian folk scholars who collected these songs and will sing from their collections. Thursday—The Makem Song Legacy: Tom will share the large repertoire of songs sung in the Makem Family of Co. Armagh for generations. Tom’s maternal grandmother, Sarah Makem, is the source of a huge collection of songs, many learned from her mother and now considered a vital element in the programs of contemporary singers. The songs were passed on by Sarah and her sons, Tommy and Jack, and her daughter Mona (Tom Sweeney’s mother.)
Instructor: Tom Sweeney

Workshops:

Monday 7 - 9 p.m.

Fiddle, Intermediate & Advanced
An intensive, two-hour workshop in fiddle, taught by Daire Bracken (See Tuesday-Thursday Fiddle-Intermediate and Fiddle-Advanced class description and biography, above.)

Tuesday 7 - 9 p.m.

Bodhran This workshop taught by Paul Marshall will go into the details of bodhran construction and maintenance. (see Tuesday-Thursday Bodhran, Intermediate, above, for Paul Marshall biography)

Intro to Irish Flute
This workshop is for those who already play the silver flute and wish to “convert” to Irish music. We will look at ornaments, how to stop playing with vibrato, tune forms, and experimenting with tone. There will be an opportunity to try an Irish flute, as well, since the ultimate goal is to switch over to the “dark side.”
Instructor: Brett Lipschutz

Wednesday 7 - 9 p.m.

Tin Whistle, Intermediate & Advanced
An intensive, two-hour workshop in tin whistle, taught by Eamonn De Barra (See Tuesday- Thursday Flute-Intermediate/Advanced class description and biography, above.)

Friday 10 a.m. - Noon

Fiddle, Intermediate & Advanced
An intensive, two-hour workshop in fiddle, taught by Liz Carroll (See Tuesday-Thursday Fiddle-Intermediate and Fiddle-Advanced class description and biography, above.)

Guitar, Intermediate & Advanced The class will focus on advanced accompaniment to tunes. Students should have a working knowledge of Irish music and be intermediate to advanced players. We will polish students’ strumming technique to a variety of types of tunes, add dynamics to playing through syncopation and emphasis, chord substitution and, if time permits, alternate tunings for the guitar. John Doyle tours with Liz Carroll and Joan Baez as well as well performing solo. John along with Liz Carroll was nominated for a 2010 Grammy Award in the Best Traditional World Music Album category.

Uilleann Pipes, Intermediate & Advanced An intensive, two-hour workshop on the uilleann pipes, taught by Francis McPeake IV. Francis is a world-renown uilleann piper and heir to the McPeake Family musical dynasty, which began over 100 years ago with his great-grandfather, author of “Will Ye Go Lassie Go.” Francis has performed with many well-known artists including Bono and Marianne Faithful and now fronts his own band McPeake and has taught extensively in his native

Samplers:

Friday Mornings 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Clogging - Ulster Style
Students will learn Ulster Style Clog dancing described as similar to sean nos but with a larger variety of rhythm and footwork. The class will focus on rhythmatic patterns through footwork that can relate to the beat of the drum.
Instructor: Kery Jordan

Bodhran – Beginning
Learn to play basic reel and jig patterns on the Irish drum.
Instructor: Amy Richter

The Northern Music Tradition
Len Graham is a “Keeper of the Tradition.” This class will focus on the song tradition of Ulster.
Instructor: Len Graham

Introduction to the Irish Language
Learn phrases in the Irish language useful in ‘meet and greet’ settings. Practice pronouncing common Irish place names, song titles and other expressions which could be helpful during Irish Fest!
Instructor: Bairbre Ní Chiardha

Friday Mornings 10:45 a.m.– 12:15 p.m.

Northern Ireland Government
Moving Forward Here is an opportunity to learn how the Northern Ireland government works.
Instructor: Basil McCrea, MLA

Straw Weaving
Learn this simple but rewarding Irish art.
Instructor: Linda Daly

Tin Whistle - Beginning
Spend a morning trying this easy-to learn Irish instrument.
Instructor: Asher Gray <

Friday Mornings For Children 10:45 a.m.– 12:15 p.m.

9-10 a.m. Craft - Straw Weaving
Children have a chance to learn this simple but rewarding Irish art.
Instructor: Linda Daly

10-11 a.m. Eileen O’Rourke: Stories and Tales from Ireland
Kathleen Mohr’s "One Mohr Production" is a onewoman theatre troop of over 30 costumed characters for storytelling, mime, and character routines! Kathleen is well known for her character Pocket LadyTM who offers a wide variety of programs including “Eileen O'Rourke’s” telling of her husband's encounter with a leprechaun (from Jamie O'Rourke and the Giant Potato)

11 a.m. - 12 Noon Music Concert for Kids with Tommy, Moya and Fionan Sands
Tommy Sands, County Down's singer, songwriter and social activist, has achieved something akin to legendary status in his own lifetime. He is most popularly recognized as an artist, but for many, he is an ambassador of peace. Tommy will be joined by his daughter Moya and his son Fionan.

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Questions about classes or registration:
Call Jane Walrath at 262-367-2649 or email janellen@wi.rr.com.
Registration questions call Barb Breed-Heidt at 262-227-6538 or email barbbreedheidt@yahoo.com

Add your name to the Irish Fest Summer School mailing list by emailing Barb Breed-Heidt at: barbbreedheidt@yahoo.com

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