Katherine is a school orchestra teacher with Fulton County Schools, holds her TTCT in Irish Fiddle from CCÉ, the Phoenix School Music Director, and has had a long and intimate relationship with her fiddle. This workshop is for musicians that are either new to Irish music or are still working on mastering technique and ornamentation. We’ll learn about the different tune types, common ornamentation and bowing patterns as well as the differences in regional styles. Of course, we’ll also learn a few tunes and then what to do with all this new information!

Nina has been singing since she could walk! She has performed with Irish Bands in Chicago, Milwaukee and Minneapolis over two decades while also performing the National Anthem during several sports events including the NCAA BIG 10 Women's Basketball games and the Frozen Final Four, NCAA Big 10 Women's Hockey. She joined the Phoenix School as Singing coach in 2023 and two of her students qualified for the 2024 World Competition in Wexford, Ireland. This class is open to all ages and for singers with a basic understanding of vocal technique. Nina will focus on teaching Irish songs in English, perfect for adding to a performance or singing in a session.

Sarah Ling currently studies Music Education at the Hugh Hodgson School of Music at UGA. Sarah has qualified for the All-Ireland in fiddle and duets for many years. She is currently certified in Suzuki training, and teaches elementary music, fiddle, concertina, and beginning whistle. Sarah’s workshops are taught by ear and at a comfortable pace for beginner to intermediate level. She will suggest ways on how to embellish the tune with ornamentation, rhythmic variations, and more so any player can discover how to make a tune “theirs”, regardless of their playing level. Both the Saturday and Sunday workshops will offer different tunes allowing students to participate in both! It is recommended that players already have a familiarity with the C/G concertina before taking this class.

John Maschinot is a professional uilleann piper, flute and tin whistle player and teacher. During his forty year career he has taught countless private students, workshops and thousands of students in schools as a visiting teaching artist. He is on staff at The Phoenix School of Irish Arts. This class is for absolute beginners and those who already play a bit and want guidance on basic technique: holding the instrument, embouchure, breathing and learning to play tunes by ear. Also suggestions for listening and other resources will be discussed.

Phoenix School Guest Teacher - Seairlín Uí Dhúbhghaill a 3 time all Ireland medal winner for set dancing and Sean Nós dance will conduct this 3 hour workshop from 9am - Noon!  Sean-nós dancing literally means “old style” in Irish, the style is an exciting, improvised battering style dance, characterized by a loose, playful upper body, close to the floor steps and a strong musicality.  This workshop will provide an introduction to the basic movements of this dance style, learning to interpret the music through rhythmic and percussive movement.  Class suitable for all levels, beginner through advanced. Dance partner not required.  (No taps or hard Irish dance shoes please.). Bring Water! Reach out to teresa.finley@phoenixirisharts.org for more information.

Last seen at IrishFest Atlanta while touring with supergroup Altan, fiddler extraordinaire Clare Friel is back with The Friel Sisters. This fiddle workshop will add to your repertoire and focus on how bowing, ornamentation, and variations can enhance your playing. This class will explore different rhythmic and melodic elements of traditional Irish tunes on the fiddle, and consider how to make your playing lively and authentic. This workshop is suitable for advanced fiddlers, and for intermediate players comfortable learning at a faster pace.

Expand your repertoire and elevate your musicianship as you explore the nuances of traditional Irish tunes, focusing on advanced techniques and expressive playing. Led by Anna Friel of The Friel Sisters ,this workshop includes exercises in ornamentation, phrasing, and tone development to help you capture the distinct character of Irish traditional music on the flute. This workshop is suitable for intermediate and advanced flute players with some familiarity with Irish music. Although instruction will be focused on flute techniques, whistle players may also enjoy sitting in and learning about the topics covered in this class.

Join Sheila Friel of the Friel Sisters to explore the unique artistry of the Uilleann pipes. Sheila will guide participants through fundamental piping skills, including bag control, fingering techniques, and tuning. Participants will add to their repertoire while learning to play expressively, and explore how phrasing, ornamentation, and rhythmic variations can enhance the tunes. This workshop is suitable for pipers with at least some experience playing Irish Music on the Uilleann pipes. Beginning pipers as well as non-pipers interested in learning more about the unique sounds of this instrument are welcome to register for and observe this class.

Cathal Ó Curráin of The Friel Sisters is a multi-instrumentalist and singer from Donegal. He has been singing from a young age and specializes in Irish Traditional and Folk Music on fiddle, banjo, bouzouki, and in song. Cathal will share songs from the tradition, and discuss his unique style of singing, arranging, and performing songs and tunes. Singers of all experience levels are welcome. This workshop is also open to anyone interested in learning more about the music and its traditions.

Join Marty Barry of The Friel Sisters for an exciting exploration of the role of guitar in traditional Irish Music. Marty will discuss chord shapes and patterns, and strumming and rhythmic patterns for jigs, reels, and other types of tunes within the Irish tradition. He will discuss his approach to playing with others, and his perspective on how to create lift and drive while accompanying traditional musicians on guitar. This class will also explore opportunities for creativity and variation to create your own unique style. This class is suitable for guitarists and other rhythm instrumentalists who are familiar with the basics of accompanying Irish tunes.