Sean-nós & Set Dance with Maldon
Specializing in easy to follow step by step instruction for all levels
Nathon Gourley, Laura Feddersen, Brightly or Darkly, Matt People’s/The Rookery
Matt People #1
Matt People #2
If you want to see my step creation process I have included the improve play and step creation videos. This is a new thing I have been recording my dance sessions to look at later and see if there is something in there that I’d like to explore and turn into a step.
Nathon Gourley, Laura Feddersen, Brightly or Darkly, Sir Georeg MacKenzie/Monaghan Twig/Seán Sa Cheo
breakdown of step
Fiddle, Harp & Feet Workshop #1
January 27, 6:30-8:30 pm
Maldon’s studio (2400 NE Alberta St. Upstairs! Look for sandwich boards to find back entrance)
$20 (payable at class, but please pre-register): cash, check or Venmo
Each workshop will have a different type of tune that we will focus on. Our first session this month will focus on waltzes. Elizabeth chose 2 waltzes common in harp repertoire, and Betsy chose 2 that are common for fiddles. Maldon will teach 3 dances: Set dance in waltz time, waltzing, and waltz clog (dancing percussively in waltz time). Recordings and sheet music are attached (NOTE: Elizabeth’s 2 waltzes are in one pdf) We won’t spend class time learning the tunes. You can either learn the tunes beforehand, bring sheet music to read, or challenge yourself to learn them on the fly during class (if you want to work on that!). We want our classes to be accessible to many levels of players, so if you can’t learn 4 waltzes, come anyway. We’ll be able to show you ways to participate musically anyway!
We would like to highlight how we all can combine the elements of music in our playing and dancing. Fiddles usually play melodies, but can also play harmonies, backup and rhythm. Harps often do backup, but can also play melodies, harmonies and rhythm. And dancers can combine both melody and backup playing into their dancing.
We love the vision of learning and growing as a community of musicians, rather than in our own musical corners. So much traditional music and dance over the years has been done all together, with people of varying abilities. The more advanced players can often be so inspiring and nurturing to newer players, and also can learn from the newer players some of the things that might never have been taught to them.
We hope that many of you will want to come to all the classes that we do, but they can be taken one at a time, so it’s OK to miss some if you’re unable to do them all. We will also have classes on February 24 and March 24, same time and same place, but different musical focus.
Please let any of us know if you have any questions.
Betsy, Elizabeth & Maldon
Download Tune & sheet Music
Download Tune & sheet Music
Download Tune & sheet Music
Partner – Waltzing
Step 1 2 3
Frame
Turn & hands
The Waltz Cotillon – Instructions
Waltz Clogs
Traditional Pattern
Down the Rabit hole – here is a playlist of several classes covering the waltz clog steps.
This is the Connemara step. This version is the step version vs the hop version. Both versions are at the heart of Connemara sean-nós dancing and Connemara set dancing. It is a key component of the Connemara Set, island sets like Inis Oirr and Inis Meáin, and the Claddagh Set, which Seamus O Meoloid revived in Ráth Chairn, Meath.
Ráth Chairn, a village with a rich history, was founded in 1935 by 27 families from Connemara, with 11 more joining in 1937. These families brought with them vibrant traditions, including the Claudagh set. Known for its sean-nós dance heritage, Ráth Chairn was designated a Gaeltacht in 1967.
I had the privilege of attending a set dance workshop led by Seamus at the University of Limerick. Seamus was generous and an excellent teacher. If you get the chance to watch him dance, take a lesson, or chat with him, don’t miss it. His dancing style is delightful; he often starts with a smooth lead-in before transitioning to percussive dancing, almost as if testing the tune. He has a playful style reminiscent of the dancers from the late 1990s—a joyful, fun, and sometimes comic approach that I don’t see as often today. It’s the kind of dancing that makes you smile.
Below is a video that breaks down the step without music. We also offer practice videos with music to get you started on the Connemara step. Enjoy dancing!