Irish Workshop Day 2025: November 2 at East Rochester High School!

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Want to learn an instrument?
Step dance? Sing?

Join us for an afternoon of free workshops in Irish music, dance, and culture, led by members of the Rochester Irish community. This event, which ran for 18 years at Nazareth and St. John Fisher Universities, has moved a mile down the street to East Rochester High School!

The Tom Finucane Branch of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann is excited to partner with ERSD's Roisin Dubh ensemble to make the event happen again in 2025.

Location

East Rochester High School
200 Woodbine Ave
East Rochester, NY 14445
Assemble near the auditorium, and disperse to classrooms at 12:30.
Class Schedule
The schedule of workshops below is tentative -- all classes and times subject to change. Our instructors are volunteers, and we're SO grateful for their help!

There will be classes and programs for children and adults, including Irish dance, tin whistle, fiddle, flute, banjo, accordion, guitar, harp, song ... and more!

Gathering by the High School Auditorium (12:00-12:30)
Straight ahead from the school entrance, can't miss it. We'll post final room numbers and class listings there! Bring snacks if you like.

Schedule
12:30-1:30 PM
  • Whistle for kids - Emily Nunn
  • Button Accordion - John Ryan
  • Scottish Tunes - Mickey Jordan
  • Modes Demystified  (all instruments) - Dan English
    Play (1st half) and Learn Some Theory (2nd half)
  • Bodhran (Irish Drum) - Ben Hockenberry
  • Sean-Nos Dance - Kathy Whitfield

1:45-2:45 PM
  • Children's program - Emily Nunn
  • Whistle - John Ryan
  • Fiddle - Adrian Ford
  • Piano Accordion - Tony Scalise
  • Common Session Tunes (all instruments) - Jared Jones
  • Accompaniment for all instruments - Adrienne Maher-Henrie and Ben Hockenberry
    Handout - Accompaniment Cheat Sheet
  • Ceili and Country Dance - Kathy Whitfield

3:00-4:00
Session at 4:00 in the Auditorium

* Levels:
  • "Level 1" classes are intended for people newer to an instrument. You may have some experience, but never played Irish tunes. If you have no experience whatsoever with an instrument, listen for a bit and feel it out!
  • "Level 2" classes are intended for people who know some tunes on their instrument, and are interested in expanding your repertoire of tunes, techniques, and styles. All are welcome to listen!
  • "All levels" classes are for a mix of beginners and more experienced folks. Instructors will likely gauge the playing of each person in the room and adapt accordingly.

For all classes, you're expected to bring your own instrument. While instructors may have one or more extra instruments to let new players try, it's not a guarantee!