Author: maldonm
Protected: Andrew & Kim
Class | Irish Set Dancing
intro
Irish Set Dance
Discover the Joy of Irish Set Dancing! Whether you’re a novice or an experienced dancer, these classes are designed for everyone. Step-by-step instruction makes dancing accessible and enjoyable for all skill levels.
What You’ll Learn:
- Foundational Footwork: Start with essential steps and percussive “battering” moves unique to Irish Set dancing.
- Partner Techniques: Breakdown of footwork for leads and follows for movements such as house, dance at home and battering while housing. With or without a partner.
- Set Dancing: Put it all together and explore set recourse and calling and memoization tips to get you ready for the dance floor.
classes
Online Class Playlist
clare steps
Clare Steps Playlist
sets
- Ormond Set
- Caledonian Set
- Inis Oirr Set
connemara
Connemara Steps
members only
Links to reference material on the site.
music
Practice Music
Maldon’s Spotify Profile – I have many playlists that you can save to your own account or save the link. The are organized by tune, by set dance and by ceili nights. The tune playlists are great if you are practinging your steps and want a playlist of tunes.
Maldon’s YouTube Profile – I have many playlists here as well. They are organized by sets, tunes, dances and more. Save them to your own youtube account for easy reference or save the link. Youtube you can slow down the video if you want to practice at a slower speed.
Download tunes for practicing at home.
Reels
Class | Irish Old-Style Step
intro
Irish Old-Style Dance
Irish old-style step dance classes focus on teaching the traditional dances that paved the way for modern step dance and the Riverdance style. These dances share a similar structure but are performed close to the ground. Unlike sean-nós dance, old-style step dance incorporates choreographed steps executed on both the right and left foot, usually lasting 8 bars each and repeated on both sides for a total of 16 bars. Join us to learn these timeless dances that have been passed down through generations.
The class recording tab included all the live zoom classes for this course. Each dance we will cover has it’s own page as well so you can go directly to that tab to work on each dance. The members only page had links to additional material related to this course. The tunes tab has streaming playlists and recording that you can download for practicing.
Online
Mon & Wed 5:30 PM
- 8 Weeks (starts 9/30)
- Zoom Link
In-person
Tue 7:30 PM
- 8 Weeks (starts 10/1)
- 2400 NE Alberta Street
class recordings
All the live zoom classes
JOJW
Job of Journeywork
The job of journeywork with Céline Tubridy and Michael Tubridy. Music by Michael Tubridy, flute. Recorded for the DVD ‘Irish Traditional Step Dances’, Dublin : Michael Tubridy, 2007.
- 01:53 Slow tempo with voiceover 05:12
- First step – the leadout 05:13 Set – right foot
- 05:54 Set – left foot
- 06:37 Finishing step
Céline and Michael Tubridy learned this dance from the Clare dancing master Dan Furey.
Helpful links and resources
- My youtube Playlist of the Job of Journeywork – this playlist had videos of other versions as well as the Tubridy’s video.
- The Job of Journeywork – Link to the Tubridy’s instructional video.
- A selection of Irish traditional step dances / Michael Tubridy – Michael donated the book and DVD of old-style step dances and you can have access to the written notes here. This is a very useful tool as it has all the steps written out with words, dance notation and the sheet music. Job of Journeywork is on page.
- Full Tubridy Playlist
joe's hornpipes
Joe’s Hornpipes
choreography
Step creations or choreography
| TUNE | STEP |
| A1 | |
| A1 | Lead out – JOJW first half 2x |
| B1 | Joe – ground cuts |
| B1 | |
| A2 | 2 tricks rocks / heels |
| A2 | |
| B2 | JoJW Bunny Hop |
| B2 | |
| A3 | Joe – Drum |
| A3 | |
| B3 | JOJW Finish stamp |
| B3 | |
| A1 | 1234 patern |
| A1 | |
| B1 | heels / drums / heels |
| B1 | |
| A2 | tip down shuffle 12 hop back stamp |
| A2 | |
| B2 | Cut & Kick |
| B2 | |
| A3 | drums / ground cut |
| A3 | |
| B3 | 3 full shuffles / heels / JOJW ending |
| B3 | |
| A1 | Murry #1 / Classic Joe (Murrary side & heels) |
| A1 | |
| B1 | Ground Cut or Cross with tips |
| B1 | |
| A2 | Rock |
| A2 | |
| B2 | tip cut / ground cut / kick cut |
| B2 | |
| A3 | Heels |
| A3 | |
| B3 | Murry #2 |
| B3 | |
| A1 | Ground cut / heels / rock |
| A1 | |
| B1 | tip cut / cut & kick |
| B1 |
members only
Membership links related to this course
- Course: Job Of Journeywork – Full course page
- Dance: Job of Journeywork – Dance page
- Hornpipe Page
- Hornpipe Creations
- Joe O’Donovan hornpipes course
tunes
Downloads
Job of Journeywork practice music – A part only, B part only, Full tune with an extra A. These are in a google folder. You can download them or save them to your own google drive.
Playlists or Streaming
Spotify Playlist for the Job of Journeywork. Feel free to save it to your own Spotify account for future reference.
Class | Sean-nós Dance
intro
Irish Sean-nós Dance
This course is suitable for dancers of all levels, from beginners to advanced. We will focus on sean-nós jig steps, providing material tailored to each skill level. Throughout the course, you’ll learn steps, improvisation techniques, and variations. By the end, you’ll have a set routine and the opportunity to explore improvisation or freeform dancing.
Sean-nós, which means “old-style,” is a highly improvisational and rhythmic dance form that stays close to the ground. Unlike traditional Irish step dancers, sean-nós dancers swing their hips and use their arms to express the music. Historically, dancers performed solo on small surfaces like the hardwood of a half door or the top of a barrel, leading to steps confined to a small space. In sean-nós dance, the dancer and the musician are closely connected, with the dancer interpreting the music through their movements.
Online
Mon & Wed 6:30PM
- 8 weeks (starts 9/30)
- Zoom Link
In-person
Mon 7:30PM
- 8 weeks (starts 9/30)
- 2400 NE Alberta Street
classes
Class Playlist
practice
Deep Dive
Whole Dance
Roisin’s Steps
- Connemara Step
- Stamp & Stamp
- Heel & Stab
- Cross Step
- Circle Step
- Zig Zag
- Side Step
- Heel Toe Heel
- Drum
choreography
Step Creation and Improvisation
- Step Spreadsheet
- Variation List
- Yuka – Heel Stab/Connemara/Zig Zag (2x)
- Marianne – 2 Connemara’s/Zig Zag to side (2x)
- Kathy – Heel Stab (same pattern as cross step)
members only
- Whole Connemara Course
- Spring Course with step creation & improvisation
- Reels Lesson 1 | Connemara Step
- Reels Lesson 2 | Stamp & Stamp
- Reels Lesson 3 | Heel & Toe
- Reels Lesson 4 | Cross Step
- Reels Lesson 5 | Circle Step
- Reels Lesson 6 | Zig Zag
- Reels Lesson 7 | Side Step
- Reels Lesson 8 | Heel Toe Heel
- Reels Lesson 9 | Drum
- Reels Lesson 10 | Finishing Step
- Whole Thing
music
Class | Goal Setting, Dreaming & Mindset Coaching
intro
Goal Setting, Dreaming & Mindset Coaching
I have been studying life coaching, mindset coaching and goal setting for the last 6 years. It is one of the things that has helped me though my cancer treatment and I am excited to share what I have learned with you. When I ask my students what their biggest struggle with dance is the response I usually get is practicing or building a habit of practicing. We are going to explore goal setting, keeping motivation going, practicing and dreaming big together.
Fridays 7:30 AM
Entire Playlist
week 1
Week 1
- Best Moments List – create a best moments list. This can be any best moments. You can start with childhood, last year, this week. I currently use this list on a regular basis as my gratitude list. In the past I have tried to do a gratitude journal but I never stuck with it and once I started the best moments list I began collecting best moments each day. This list can show you what is important to you and what you are motivated by. Jon Acuff has this as an exercise in his book All it Takes is a Goal. The next step is to look over your list and decide if something is an Experience, Achievement, Relationship or Object. Some might be more than one and that is ok. There is no wrong here. Then take a look at what you have the most of. Working on my goals over the years I have usually tried to give myself a reward for achieving that goal. And usually it was an object. Like losing 15 lbs and giving myself a reward of a new outfit. But I found that I wasn’t motivated by the new outfit or the object and when I look at my own list there is only 1% objects and the majority of my things are Experiences and Relationships. These are the things that motivate me so now I plan an experience with someone as my reward and it helps motivate me. This list also shows me what I want more of in my life and what I might want as goals in my future.
- Looking Forward to List – our next list is the looking forward to list. You can start this my looking at your calendar. What are you looking forward to in the next few days, weeks or months? What are you looking forward to further down the road that might not be on your calendar. As you build this list you might find yourself adding things into your calendar or making dates with friends, planning a trip. From your best moments list is there anything you want add to your looking forward to list. Jon talks about this list helping keep you motivated and positive. When you have things to look forward to it’s harder to be discouraged. While creating this list and the best moments list I found myself reaching out to friends, family and community members to set up tea dates or walks or meeting someone to listen to music. It inspired me to bring more relationships and experiences into my life and I started booking more things in my calendar that give me joy.
- Goal List – Next start creating your massive goal list. You probably all ready have some ideas for this list. Dream big. Put it all on there. Try not to limit yourself. Once you have your list go though it and give yourself permission to eliminate any goal that’s not yours. You might have things on there that you think someone who is shape might do, but it’s not something that you really want to do. One of the ones I had on my list was run a half marathon. I don’t even run right now and the idea doesn’t excite me. It’s someone else’s goal not mine. So I scratched though that one.
This first week we will make a best moments list, a looking forward to list and a massive goals list. These are lists that the writer and speaker Jon Acuff uses in his books. They have really helped me get into the right mindset for inspiration and motivation. Here are my lists if you want to see them. I currently keep a journal in my bedroom and will sit down here and there and add to my best moments list. I am finding that I add something most days and it brings me gratitude, hope, inspiration and joy. If fact my best moments list is on my looking forward to list!
- Maldon’s Best Moments List
- Here are some questions that might help you with your best moments list
- Maldon’s Looking Forward to List
- Maldon’s Massive Goal List
week 2
Week
Homework – test one of your goals for a week.
Goals
- Carrer
- Fiance
- Health
- Relationships
- Fun
Notice what helps you with this goal and as we continue over the weeks. What helps me most is having a time and place in my calendar for that goal, accountability with others, being kind to myself and having a range of what it means to work towards this goal.
week 3
Week
- From week 1 we have our
- Best Moment’s List
- Looking Forward to list
- Goal List
- Week 2
- Habit Stacking
- Model – your thoughts generate your feelings,
- Circumstance –
- Thought –
- Feeling –
- Action –
- Result –
- Tested goal
Sound track’s “Our dreams are all unique but our doubts are all the same.” Jon Acuff
This week pick a goal for the month. Dump the things you need to do for that goal.
- Easy Medium Hard
- Make an impact
week 4
Week
Calendaring
- 3 days is firm
- 3 weeks is fuzzy
- 3 months is fiction
What can you do in the next 3 days that will make the next 3 weeks better?
What can you do in the next 3 days that will make the next 3 months better?
week 5
Week
week 6
Week
week 7
Week
week 8
Week
recourses
Books
- All it Takes is A Goal by Jon Acuff
- Atomic Habits by James Clear
Class | Online | Sean-nós Dance
intro
Sean-nós Dance – jigs (week 1-5)
The first 5 weeks of course welcomes focuses on dancing in jig time. The last 3 weeks of the course focuses on Reels, keeping the jig steps alive and building up speed & endurance.
Sean-nós Dance – reels (week 6-8)
Mondays & Wednesdays 7:30 AM
Jig Playlist
Reel Playlist
week 1
Week 1
Drills
- Stuff-les 8/4/1
- Stuff-les with tap 8/4/1
- Heels 1234 / 123
- Balls 1234 / 123
Advance & Retire – Right / Left
week 2
Week 2
Advance & Retire – Right / Left
week 3
Week 3
- Creep along
week 4
Week 4
Woodsheding all three steps and working on transitioning between steps.
- Drills
- ball catch drop (123’s forward)
- ball drop drop (heels back)
- Woodshed
- All the steps
week 5
Week 5
- All the steps!
week 6
week 7
Week 7
Edith was asking a quesiton about learn the dance step by ear – I realized what I was trying to say learn with by ear in regards to dance is learning the step by ear and eyes in time with the music, rather than me breaking down the step slowly with words or movements and no music. Just listening to a dancers step and the reproducing the sounds in your own way.
week 8
Week 8
Class | In-Person | Sean-nós Dance
intro
Sean-nós Dance
This course welcomes all skill levels and focuses on dancing in jig time. Sean-nós is a grounded, often improvised style of dance. You’ll learn dance steps, routines, and improvisation techniques through fun exercises and games.
Saturdays 10:00 AM
1/18 – 3/8
$120 for 8 weeks
2400 NE Alberta Street, Portland, OR
Playlists
jigs
Practice videos – I have all the steps that we will cover over the 8 weeks in the video playlist on the intro page. Feel free to dig around in there. They should be in the order that I will be teaching them. On this week 1 tab you will find notes for what we covered on our first day. Also the practice videos that I made in class and below that you will find our practice videos for the 3 shuffles, 2 shuffles, 4 heels step.
We covered:
- Jigs – 6/8 timing, humpty dumpty is a jig
- tap step
- heel step
- toe behind step
- stamp step
- Shuffle
- 3 shuffles (with tap, heel, or toe behind endings)
- 4 heels (1234 sound)
- 2 shuffles and 4 heels
- Step: 3 shuffles, 2 shuffles, 4 heels
Practicing: You don’t have to practice but using the practice video of steps once or twice here and there will help. This will take 4-6 minutes. A good place to start a practice routine is to habit stack your practice sessin with a habit you already do. Like dancing while you are waiting in line for something, waiting for the coffee to brew in the morning, before you sit down for lunch, before after brushing your teeth. Find something that you do regularly and link it with your new dancing habit.
reels
recourses
- https://siamsa.ie/ – This is the streaming radio station of all Irish music that our fabulous accordion player Jim Loewenherz mentioned.
- www.youtube.com/@maldonmeehan1682 My youtube channel. I have loads of playlists of music and dance tracks and videos. Feel free to save any playlist to your own youtube account. In particular for this class I have a jig music playlist which you can slow down tracks and use for practicing.
Class | In-Person | Calling for Sets
intro
Calling for Sets
Dive into the art of calling dances with our energizing 8-week course! Whether you’re a dancer looking to take the mic or simply eager to master the craft, this step-by-step program will guide you through everything—starting with calling your very first dance and building up to creating an unforgettable night of calling. Are you ready to bring the dance floor to life? Let’s do this!
Saturdays 11:30 AM
1/18 – 3/8
$120 for 8 weeks
2400 NE Alberta Street, Portland, OR
Entire Playlist
week 1
Week 1
week 2
Week
week 3
Week
week 4
Week
week 5
Week
week 6
Week
week 7
Week
week 8
Week
Class | In-Person | Irish Set Dancing
intro
Irish Set Dance
Discover the Joy of Irish Set Dancing! Whether you’re a novice or an experienced dancer, these classes are designed for everyone. Step-by-step instruction makes dancing accessible and enjoyable for all skill levels.
What You’ll Learn:
Foundational Footwork: Start with essential steps and percussive “battering” moves unique to Irish Set dancing.
Partner Techniques: Master the art of dancing in sync with a partner, focusing on leading and following techniques.
Set Dancing: Put it all together by dancing in a full set of four couples, exploring various patterns and figures.
Wednesdays 12:00 PM
1/15 – 3/5
2400 NE Alberta Street, Portland, OR
Playlist
foundation
Frame / Lead
Hands & turning
Hands & Turn
This is a playlist for ballroom lead and follow, but many of the things and tips will transfer over to set dancing. Set dancing frame looks more relaxed and the arms and elbows are not as high, but the tension and pressure is the same in the connecting points is the same.
Sliabh Luchra
Polkas / Slides / Hornpipes
Week one we will look at dancing to polkas, jigs and slides. In particular sets from Slaibh Luchra (Cork, Kerry and Limerick). I was lucky enough to be able to dance to the music of Johnny O’Leary, Timmy O’Connor and John Walsh. All great Sliabh Luchra musicians. Timmy recently passed this last month. I had the opportunity to spend my free time at Willie Week with Timmy and John. I had many lovely chats with both of them that week as well as danced to their music and danced with them. Beautiful music and people.
We will work on the down step used for polkas, slides and jigs as oposed to the up step used for last terms reels.
Solo
- Down 2 3’s
- 1 2 & 123
- & 1 & 2 & 1 2 3
Partner
- Swing
- House
- Body
Group
The Set of the Week: Sliabh Luchra Set
Timmy O’Connor
Timmy & John
Sliabh Luchra Dancing, music and history
Polkas / Slides / Hornpipes
Review – Sliabh Luchra Set
Clare Dancing
Week
Clare Dancing & The Caledonian
Steps
Willie Keane
Mick’s Advance & Retire Step
Ormond
Week
Ormond Set – page with video and instructions.
Steps
Smooth Clare reel steps or other Clare battering steps. You can find those steps under the Clare dancing tab.
review
Polka/Slide/Jig
review of polka and slide steps. These steps can also be used for dancing to jigs.