Author: maldonm

Classes, Current Classes, Irish Sean-nós Dance

2026 March | Sean-nós Dance | No Music March

maldonm

overview

Week by Week

MondaysWednesdays
Week 124
Metronome work 80 bpmStart of routine
Week 2911
Motif Based Routine
70-80 bpm		Continue to build Motif Based Routine
Week 31618
Week 42325
Week 530

week 1

Week 1

Week 124
Clare Batter Step
Heel & Toe (Rosin)
“Shit Step”
“Baby Hornpipe”
Side Step (Katrina)		Clare Battering #1
Clare Batter #2
Clare Batter #1 #3
Mick 1st Half

Monday

Wednesday

week 2

Week 2

Week 2 911
70-80 bpm
Motif – Clare Battering #1
Clare Batter #2
Motif – Clare Battering #1
Clare Batter #1 #3
Motif – Clare Battering #1
Mick 1st Half
Motif – Clare Battering #1
Hare’s Paw 1st Half
Motif – Clare Battering #1		80 bpm – revamp and adjust routine
A1 Clare #1
B1 Mick #1
A2 Clare #1 (pick up beat)
B2 Mick #1 (1 drum/step)
A3 Clare #1/#2
B3 Mick #1 (3 drums/step)
A4 Clare #1/#2 (pick up beat)
B4 Mick #1 (tbd – space)
A5 Clare #1/#3
B5 Mick #1 (tbd)
A6 Clare#1/#3 (pick up beat)
B6 Mick #1 (tbd)

Monday

Wednesday

Wednesday Class Notes

In Wednesday’s class we continued refining the routine, simplifying it to one tune and focusing on just two steps:

  • Clare Battering Step
  • Mick’s Advance & Retire

We also started bringing in ornamentation ideas such as pauses, drums, triplets, slides, and drags.

Homework

Spend some time practicing with a metronome. I suggest working one step at a time to notice where you might be speeding up or slowing down. Aim to perfect each step on its own before putting them back into the routine.

If you find your timing slipping when you include all the variations, try practicing one A-part and B-part variation at a time until each feels solid. Then begin adding them together.

Once you’re happy with your timing, try bumping the tempo up by about 1-5 BPM. Aiming to be at 85 bpm my Monday.

week 3

Week 3

Week 31618

Monday

Wednesday

week 4

Week 4

Week 42325

Monday

Wednesday

playlist

routines

Maldon’s Accapella Routine

  • A – Clare #1 – 4x
  • A – Clare #2 4x
  • B – Clare #1/#3 2x
  • B – Mick (1st half) 4x
  • A – Mick Clare off beat 4x
  • A –
  • B –
  • B –
Blog

Irish Tenor Banjo Players for Dancers

maldonm

I put a call out on Facebook looking for great Irish banjo players. The responses were fantastic, and some names were brand new to me. I’ve started listening through them and already have a few favorites rising to the top. If you discover tracks that really speak to you (or really make you want to dance), let me know!

If you’re on Facebook, folks are still adding to the thread. If you’re not — here’s the list so far:

Recomended Tracks

Here is youtube banjo playlist.

Classes, Current Classes, Irish Sean-nós Dance

M-W-F | 7:30AM | 2026 February | Sean-nós Dance

maldonm

overview

  • Zoom Link
  • Mondays – Woodshed
  • Wednesdays – Keep Her Lit
  • Firdays – Speed & Craic

Week by Week

WoodshedKeep Her LitSpeed & Craic
Week 1246
The Galway Rambler / The London LassesTriplets
Paddy Bon (ball)		Seamus Egan
Week 291113
Teampall an Ghleann/Hickey’sTriplets
hips (heel)
Paddy Bon (ball)		Enda Scahill & Joel Anderson
Week 3161821
Triplets
Ronan (step shuffle)		Triplets
hips (heel)
Paddy Bon (ball)
Ronan (step shuffle)		Brian McGrath
Week 4232528
Triplets – HopTriplets: AllFeburary 2026 Playlist

week 1

Week 1

Week 1246
The Galway Rambler / The London LassesTriplets – Heel
Review – Ball		Seamus Egan

Woodshed

Keep Her Lit

Speed & Craic

week 2

Week 2

Week 291113
Teampall an Ghleann/Hickey’sTriplets
Heels		Enda Scahill & Joel Anderson

We talked after class about O’Flaherty Irish Music Retreat and Seosamh Ó Neachtain (Joe)

Woodshed

Keep Her Lit

Speed & Craic

week 3

Week 3

Week 3161821
Triplets
Ronan (step shuffle)		Triplets
hips (heel)
Paddy Bon (ball)
Ronan (step shuffle)		Feburary 2026 Playlist

Woodshed

Keep Her Lit

Speed & Craic

week 4

Week 4

Week 4232528
Hop TripletsAll the tripletsFeburary 2026 Playlist

Woodshed

Keep Her Lit

Speed & Craic

Enda Scahill – Gan Ainm/Liz Carroll’s (Air Tune) – steps inspired by this track. I went down the rabithole after class and continued to work on the step. I created the orginal part of it just before class and then built on it and am in the process of adding a triplet into the step. It’s a work in porgress.

playlist

Spotify Feburary Playlist

I’m on the hunt for great banjo players and recording to share with you. I put it out on facebook and got some great recommendations some of whom I had never heard of. Those of you not on facebook here’s the list so far. If you are on facebook check out the post as folks keep adding to it.

I have been going through and listing to some of these. If you find ones you really like please let me know. I put a few of my favorites at the top of the list.

Here is my youtube banjo playlist.

Blog, Current Classes, Current Event, Events

M-W-F | 8:30 AM | Open Studio

maldonm

Monday, Wednesday and Fridays

8:30 AM PST | 9:30 PM MST | 10:30 AM CST | 11:30 AM EST | 12:30 PM ADT | 4:30 PM GMT on ZOOM

Hosted by Kathy Fletcher

Room to open 15 minutes early and close 15 minutes after the official end time.

Elevate your practice routine with Open Studio! Join artists, dancers, crafters, and musicians for free weekly practice sessions that boost accountability. From Monday, Wednesday and Friday each week, sharpen your skills and receive peer support in a non-judgmental environment. The encouraging community at Open Studio will inspire you to excel in your craft. Struggling to stay motivated? All are welcome, and it’s entirely free.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/96434303782?pwd=UnR4WWRkRUwxTCtQeUhaSmdYMmpuUT09

Meeting ID: 964 3430 3782
Passcode: 720099

Classes, Current Classes, Irish Sean-nós Dance

Tue | 6:30pm | 2026 Winter | Set Dance

maldonm

overview

Class Held at:

2400 NE Alberta Street, Portland, OR (upstairs)

Week by Week

SetSteps
Week 1 – Jan 6Armagh LancersSlide/Jigs/Polka step:
down23’s
Week 2 – Jan 13Armagh Lancers
Monthly Céilí – Jan 16Kilfenora Plain
Ballyvourney
Lancers
Connemara
North Kerry Set		Waverly
3300 SE Woodward St
Portland, OR
Jan 20No Class
Week 3 – Jan 27Corballa SetReel steps:
up23’s
advance & retire
Jig Step: down23’s
Week 4 – Feb 3Corballa Set
Week 5 – Feb 10
Week 6 – Fen 17
Week 7 -Feb 24
Week 8 -March 3

week 1

Week 1 – The Armagh Lancers Set

we will learn the Armagh Lancers.
This set will be familiar to some of you who were in class last year. It also shares many similarities with the Clare Lancers Set. If you are taking the PCC class we will be learning the Armagh Set, this week which is also a jig set.

The Step | Down 23’s

The Set | Armagh Lancers Set

  • Start: none Transition: none Finish: none
  • Step: Down jig 
  • Order: 1st Top/2nd Top/1st Side/2nd Side (1st sides are on the left of 1st Tops)

Fig 1 Square & Swing Corner Jigs 136bars

  • 1. Active Follow & Opposite advance & swing in the center
  • 2. Active couples Square (pass r only, follows in the inside/leads on the outside)
  • 3. All Swing your corner
  • 4. Swing partner

Fig 2 Lines Jigs 136 bars

  • 1. Active couple R in R Advance & turn the follow (4 bars) & swing (4 bars)
  • 2. Active couples Square (inactive couple split to from a line)
  • 3. All Advance and Retire twice in Lines of 4
  • 4. Swing partner at home

Fig 3 Big/Little Christmas Jigs 136 bars

  • 1. All Big Christmas (4 bars) & Switch (4 bars) break away & square your set
  • 2. Active couples dance the Visitation
  • 3. All R hand Star with your corner
  • 4. Little Christmas with your corner (6 bars) and open up (2 bars) (Active couple end up on the left)

Fig 4 Follows Star Jigs 136 bars 

  • 1. Follows Advance
  • 2. Leads Advance
  • 3. Follows R Star (Leads dance on outside going r)
  • 4. All Swing (Follows moving to R)

Fig 5 Chain & Line up Jigs 168 bars

  • 1. All Chain (12) & Line up (behind active couple) (4)
  • 2. Weave & Cast off (4) in to lines (4)
  • 3. Lines Advance
  • 4. Dance to partner (4) Swing (4)

week 2

Week 2 – Armagh Lancers  

Review the Armagh Lancers from Week one.

  • Kilfenora Plain
  • Ballyvourney
  • Lancers
  • Connemara
  • North Kerry Set

week 3

Week 3 – Corballa Set

week 4

Week 4 – Corballa Set

week 5

week 6

week 7

week 8

Classes, Current Classes, In-Person, Irish Sean-nós Dance

Wed | 6:30pm | 2026 Winter | Playing Tunes with Your Feet

maldonm

overview

  • In-person & Online | Hydrid Class
  • 2400 NE Alberta Street, Portland, OR
  • Zoom Link
  • Music: Tune learning with Jim Loewenherz

Week by Week

TuneStepsResources
Week 1 – Jan 7Reels:
Jackie Colman’s
Monaghan Twig		Improv with Sir George MacKenzie / Monaghan Twig / Seán Sa Cheo
Week 2 – Jan 14Marches:
Bonaparte Crossing The Alps
The Battle Of Aughrim
Week 3 – Jan 28Jigs:
Bill Hearte’s Jig
Out on the Ocean
Week 4 – Feb 4
Week 5 – Feb 11
Week 6 – Feb 18
Week 7 – Feb 25
Week 8 –
March

week 1

Reels: Monaghan Twig & Jackie Colman’s

week 2

Marches: Bonaparte Crossing The Alps & The Battle Of Aughrim

week 3

Jigs: Bill Hearte’s Jig & Out on the Ocean

week 4

Hornpipes: Wicklow Hornpipe

Joey Abarta Playing Wicklow Hornpipe

week 5

week 6

week 7

week 8

Classes, Current Classes, In-Person, Irish Sean-nós Dance

Fri | 6:30pm | 2026 Winter | Irish Set Dance

maldonm

overview

  • This class is held at PCC SouthEast campus
  • Dance Shoes
    • There’s no official shoe for set dancing. The most important thing is a smooth, non-grippy sole that allows you to glide across the floor.
    • Good options include:
      • A tap shoe without the tap
      • Smooth-soled dress shoes
      • Dance sneakers
    • Regular sneakers aren’t recommended, as they tend to grip the floor and make turning and traveling harder.
  • Local option: The Leotard on MLK carries several shoes that work well for set dancing. Let them know you’re taking a dance class and you’ll receive 10% off.
  • Here’s an article about shoes – some ideas and recommendations.

Week by Week

SetStepsBattering
Week 1 – Jan 9Clare Plain Set
Figures 1 & 2
Videos on week 1 tab		3’s
Advance & Retire Step
Videos on week 1 tab		Heel drop in the 3’s and Advance & Retire steps
Videos on week 1 tab
Week 2 – Jan 16
No class at PCC campus!		You are invited to attend the 3rd Friday Dance at Waverly, 3300 SE Woodword St.
Portland, OR		Free to all PCC Irish Set Dance Students
Week 3 – Jan 23Clare Plain Set
Figures 2,3,4		3’s
Advance & Retire Step
Week 4 – Jan 30Corballa Set3’sJig step
Week 5 – Feb 6Cashel Set3Slide (Jig step)
Week 6 – Feb 13Corballa Set3Jig step (123,123,123)
Step heel step
Week 7 – Feb 20
No class at PCC campus!		Kilfenora
Connemara
Clare Lancers
Merchant
Armagh Lancers		You are invited to attend the 3rd Friday Montlhy Céilí
Music: Erik Killops
Waverly, 3300 SE Woodword St.
Portland, OR		Free to all PCC Irish Set Dance Students
Week 8 – Feb 27Kilfenora
Connemara
Clare Lancers
Merchant
Armagh Lancers		3’s
Week 9 – March 6
Week 10 – March 13

playlist

On this Tab

  • Steps for Set Dancing Playlist: Smooth 3’s practice videos
  • Clare Battering Playlist: you are welcome to go down the rabbit hole here. This playlist had many videos of Clare Battering steps. The battering is an optional component of set dancing. If you like working on footwork and like the percussive elements of set dancing this is a good playlist to start working on your own. I will teach some battering steps in class, but they do take time outside of class to work on them and get them up to speed. This is a part of set dancing that I ablsoutly love and there are other dancers who prefer the smooth options. It’s completly up to you what you work on.

Clare Plain

Week 1 – Clare Plain Set

In the first class we learned the frist two figures of the Clare Plain Set from County Clare, Ireland.

What we covered in class:

  • Steps: 3’s (traveling step) and Advance & Retire
  • Partner: Frame (waltz hold), hand holds
  • Clare Plain Set
    • Figure 1: Square
    • Figure 2: Under the Wing

Step: 3’s

Step: Advance & Reitre (Follow) starting on right foot

Step: Advance & Reitre (Lead) starting on left foot

Frame

Clare Plain Set – First Figure

Clare Plain Set – Second Figure

Clare Plain Set – Third Figure

Clare Plain Set – Fourth Figure

Clare Plain Set – Fifth Figure

Jan Ceili

Week 2 – 3rd Friday Céilí

3rd Friday Céilí Dance List

Kilfenora Plain

  1. Square Reels 96 bars
  2. Under the Wing Jigs 112 bars
  3. Lineup Reels 136 bars
  4. Wheelbarrow Reels 240 bars
  5. Sevens Jigs 112 bars
  6. Mixer Hornpipes 160 bars

Ballyvourney slides (4 slides 4x each)

Lancers

  1. Square Reels 160 bars
  2. 4 turns Reels 192 bars
  3. Big Christmas Reels 144 bars
  4. Little Christmas Reels 192 bars
  5. Chain & Line up Reels 192 bars

Connemara

  1. Follows Chain Reels 160 bars
  2. Back to Back Reels 192 bars
  3. Christmas Reels 184 bars
  4. Maggie in the Woods Polka 96 bars

North Kerry

  1. Star Polkas 152 bars
  2. Show the Follow Polkas 152 bars
  3. Slide & Change Slides or Jigs 184 bars
  4. Follows Star Polkas   88 bars
  5. Follows move on Hornpipe 128 bars

Corballa

Week 4 – Corballa Set

Cashel

Week 5 – Cashel Set

Whole Dance

Céilí Feb

Week 2 – 3rd Friday Céilí

3rd Friday Céilí Dance List

Kilfenora Plain

  1. Square Reels 96 bars
  2. Under the Wing Jigs 112 bars
  3. Lineup Reels 136 bars
  4. Wheelbarrow Reels 240 bars
  5. Sevens Jigs 112 bars
  6. Mixer Hornpipes 160 bars

Connemara

  1. Follows Chain Reels 160 bars
  2. Back to Back Reels 192 bars
  3. Christmas Reels 184 bars
  4. Maggie in the Woods Polka 96 bars

Lancers

  1. Square Reels 160 bars
  2. 4 turns Reels 192 bars
  3. Big Christmas Reels 144 bars
  4. Little Christmas Reels 192 bars
  5. Chain & Line up Reels 192 bars

Merchant

  • 1 Corners Advance & Cross
  • 4 four turns, Sevens & half house

Armagh Lancers

  1. Jig Square & Swing corner 136
  2. Jig Square & Line up 136
  3. Jig Big/Little Christmas 136
  4. Jig Follows Star 136
  5. Jig Chain & Line up 168
    Classes, Current Classes, Irish Sean-nós Dance

    Sat | 11am | 2026 Winter | Sean-nos Dance

    maldonm

    overview

    Week by Week

    StepsMusicResources
    Week 1 – Jan 10Jigs
    3 Shuffles, 2 Shuffles, 4 Heels
    8 shuffles
    Tip & Click    		Jigs
    Link to the Spotify playlist
    		Jig Course
    Week 2 – Jan 17NO CLASSJig Course
    Week 3 – Jan 24Cross Step
    Run on    		Jig Course
    Week 4 – Jan 31
    Week 5 – Feb 7
    Week 6 – Feb 14
    Week 7– Feb 21
    Week 8 – Feb 28
    Week 9 – March 7

    week 1

    Week 1

    • 3 shuffles, 4 shuffles
    • 8 shuffles
    • Tip and click

    week 2

    Week 2

    • 3 shuffles, 4 shuffles
    • 8 shuffles
    • Tip and click

    week 3

    This week we put together the start of our routine. Sean-nós dance is at it’s core improvisational and free form, but when you are starting out you need a place to start. Having a routine and something to practice as you get comfortable with the dance form.

    week 4

    week 5

    week 6

    week 7

    week 8

    Classes, Current Classes

    April 15-19 | Spring Dance Intensive

    maldonm

    intro

    2026 Spring Dance Intensive

    Rhythm is Everything

    April 15–19 | Alberta Arts District | Portland, Oregon

    Join us for five immersive days of Irish dance, rhythm, and community in Portland’s vibrant Alberta Arts District.

    The 2026 Spring Dance Intensive is designed for dancers who want to deepen their relationship with rhythm — through Sean-nós improvisation, set dance battering, percussive technique, and step creation.

    We’ll explore traditional steps from Cavan, Longford, Roscommon, Clare, and Connemara — and then take them apart, reshape them, and rebuild them so they are strong, musical, and danceable at any speed.

    Each day includes:

    • Two focused workshops
    • Technique, rhythm vocabulary & musicality work
    • Creation sessions
    • Evening opportunities to dance, listen, and connect

    We’ll work on:

    • Stripping steps down to their essential rhythm
    • Adding ornamentation and variation
    • Dancing the tune (echoing, layering, shifting emphasis)
    • Timing, phrasing, extra beats, crooked steps
    • Weight shifting and tone (heel, toe, full foot)
    • Layering time signatures (reels over polkas, slides over hornpipes)
    • Improvisation, call & response, and dancing off each other

    Evenings bring community time — informal practice, connection, and late-night tunes at nearby spots including TC O’Leary’s, just four blocks away.

    For Out-of-Town Dancers

    Stay right in the neighborhood — no car needed. Restaurants, galleries, cafés, and shared accommodations are within walking distance.

    Limited space to ensure personal attention and a close-knit experience.

    Reserve your spot:
    https://maldonmeehan.com/april-16-19-spring-dance-intensive/

    schedule

    Schedule

    Wed 4/15Thu 4/16Fri 4/17Sat 4/18Sun 4/19
    Morning
    session
    10am-11:30am    		Workshop 1Workshop 3Workshop 5Workshop 7
    Afternoon session
    1:30 pm-3 pm    		Workshop 2Workshop 4Workshop 6Workshop 8
    EveningWelcome Gathering
    6:00 pm

    TC O’Leary’s 2926 NE Alberta St

    Music 8:00 pm
    Mikey Beglan
    Night of Song
    Dancing & Songs    		Céilí
    Two Rivers Céilí Band
    		House Party
    Tunes & dancing    		TC O’Leary’s Sesson
    After TBA

    register

    Register for the Spring Dance Intensive

    Only $250 for the whole week. Price goes up to $300 on March 2nd, Sign up by March 1st to reviece $50 off. What a deal!