Category: Classes

Live classes, past, current and future.

Classes, Current Classes

June 2025 | Dance By Ear

maldonm

intro

Intro

The month of June we will continue to explore dancing by ear and learning tunes in our feet.

Youtube playlist – I made a youtube playlist as not everyone has spotify or Apple Music. Please add tunes to this list. If you have a tune or a version of one of the tunes we have been working on that you like, please add it to the whole list here and we can all use the track.

MondayWednesdayFriday
7:30amWoodshedKeep Her LitSpeed & Craic
Week 1
The Green Groves of Erin / Burnes		June 2June 4June 6
Week 3June 9June 11June 13
Week 3June 16June 18June 19
Week 4June 23June 25June 27
NO CLASSJune 29-NO CLASS

week 1

Tune

Steps & Vocabulary

Woodshed

Learn and woodshed the tune and steps

Keep Her Lit

Speed & Craic

Play and improve with material and dance at various tempos.

week 2

Woodshed

Learn and woodshed the tune and steps

Keep Her Lit

Review tune of the week and dance past tunes

Speed & Craic

Play and improve with material and dance at various tempos.

week 3

Woodshed

Learn and woodshed the tune and steps

Keep Her Lit

Review tune of the week and dance past tunes

Speed & Craic

Play and improve with material and dance at various tempos.

week 4

Woodshed

Learn and woodshed the tune and steps

Keep Her Lit

Review tune of the week and dance past tunes

Speed & Craic

Play and improve with material and dance at various tempos.

Classes, Current Classes

2025 May | 7:30 AM | M,W,F | Dance by Ear

maldonm

intro

MondayWednesdayFriday
7:30 AM PSTDance by Ear
Learn the tune		Dance by Ear
Keep Her Lit
Woodshed & build steps		Dance by Ear
Speed & Craic

wild night

  • Many a Wild Night – This tune is from a set that Sliabh Notes plays. Sliabh Notes is Matt Cranitch (fiddle), Dónal Murphy (accordion), and Tommy O’Sullivan (guitar). The set is: Many a wild night / John Walsh’s polka / Daly’s mill. The Daly’s Mill is in the spring student showcase file as well.
  • In our class recording I ment to be talking about this tune as the Sliabh Notes set of tunes that Portland has been playing. Also Desi Wilkinson is not in this band he is in the band Cran – which I also used for teaching for years and around the sametime that I was working with the Sliabh Notes album. I discovred both of these albums when I was in Ireland studying for my masters and both Matt and Dessie were around the college doing their PhD work at the same time I was there. Chemo brain at it best, sorry about that!
  • Cran – Black Black Black – 1998
  • Sliabh Notes – Gleanntán – 1999
  • Both of these albums were my go to albums during that time and when I fist started teaching Sean-nós in America in 1999.

Many a Wild Night – Here is a rought rhythmic layout of the tune.

A PARTA PARTB PARTB PART
A1A1A1A1
2222
3333
4444
A5A5A5A5
6666
77B7B7
8888

blackthorn

The Blackthorn Stick

Here is a rough outline of the rythmic patterns in the tune. Even though there are higher notes and other things happening with the tune I am seeing 4 rythmic paterns that are repeated and are the start of creating simple steps with this pattern. As we play more with the tune we will hear more and add more varation in tone to match the tune.

A PARTA PARTB PARTB PART
A1A1C1C1
2222
B3B3D3D3
4444
A5A5A5A5
6666
B7B7B7B7
8888

trip

Trip to Sligo – download tune

Learn the tune

Keep Her Lit

Speed & Craic

congress

The Congress Reel – download tune

torrid romance

Learning is at the end of class I think

concertina

Concertina Reel – Learning is a the beginning of class.

Learn / Woodshed

Keep Her Lit

Camps, Classes, In-Person, Irish Sean-nós Dance, Irish Set Dancing

2025 | April 13-19 | Spring Dance Intensive

maldonm

resources

Files & recordings

Links

sets

Set Dancing

Sets

Steps

sean-nós

Sean-nós Steps

Classes, Past Classes

Mon April 7th | 6:30 pm | Fiddle Harp Feet Workshop #3

maldonm

intro

Fiddle, Harp & Feet Workshop #3

April 7th, 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

Maggie Pickie

Maggie Pickie has many steps. Explore the playlist below. There are videos of each step broken down as well as videos of practicing the whole dance.

Maldon’s Youtube Playlist

Maids of Ardagh

Concertina reel

review

  • Waltz – review waltzes from the first workshop
  • Jig – review jigs from the second workshop
    • Priest in his Boots / Hudie Gallagher’s Jig
    • The Blackthorn Stick / Trip to Sligo (Dm version)

Classes, Irish Sean-nós Dance, Irish Set Dancing, Past Classes

Woodshed Clare Battering

maldonm

Aidan

Aidan videos

Aiden Vaughan 0-80

Aiden Vaughan 80-100

Mick

Mick’s Dance at home step (AKA $500 step)

all

Classes, Past Classes

Fiddle, Harp & Feet Workshop #2

maldonm

intro

Fiddle, Harp & Feet Workshop #2

February 24, 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

Hudie

Dance Steps & learning by feet or ear

blackthorn

Dance pay

priest

Frist two steps broken down and strenth warm up

Below is a video of Michael and Céline Tubridy dancing the Priest in His Boots. Maldon learned this dance from Ben Power, who learned if from James Keane of Co. Clare. James’ version is slighly differnt. James version is “crooked” meaning that when he danced the musician played the tune AA/BB/AA/B/AA/BB and James dance the steps that way. Michael and Céline Tubridy dance it straight AA/BB format. Michael learned the dance from Dan Furry and Michael took the liberity of straightening out the steps/tune. James and Dan danced together.

James Keane’s or Dan Furry version – Ben Power’s students dancing The Priest in His Boots and Ben play the tune on flute with his flute students. Notice the B the second time through the tune is only played once, this is because the step they are dancing is only a 4 bar step repeat on each side to make 8 bars. In Michael and Céline Tubridy version they combine the two steps so that it is semtrical and you have a 16 bar step that is repeated on both sides.

Link to PDF book – Priest in His Boots is on page 3 after the forward. This book is avaialbe free to view on the internet. It is a great resouce for dancers and musicians. Michael has included the sheet music for the tunes as well as the dances written out in his dance notation.

Nearding out – if you want to neard out on this dance here is my full playlist.

trip

Dance Steps

Classes

April 13 – 19 | Spring Dance Intensive

maldonm

intro

Spring Dance Intensive – A Week of Irish Dance & Community

Immerse yourself in the rhythm and tradition of Irish dance at our Spring Dance Intensive! This week-long camp is designed for intermediate to advanced dancers eager to deepen their skills in Sean-nós dancing, set dancing, and percussive dance.

📅 Dates: April 13 – April 19
📍 Location: Alberta Arts District, Portland, Oregon

🔹 Daily Schedule:

2400 NE Alberta Street, Portland, OR

  • 4 immersive workshops per day focusing on Sean-nós, set dancing, and percussive dance techniques
  • 5 Evening social dances to practice, connect, and celebrate Irish dance together
  • Late night music: at the local pub

🔹 Limited Space: Only 10 spots available to ensure individualized instruction and a close-knit experience!

For Out-of-Town Dancers

Need a place to stay? A cozy Airbnb hotel next door is hosting some of our students, and I’d be happy to connect you for shared accommodations.

Explore the Alberta Arts District

No car needed! Our neighborhood is filled with restaurants, shops, and galleries to enjoy between workshops.

🎶 Bonus Perk: Just four blocks away, a lively Irish pub TC O’Leary’s (2926 NE Alberta St) will be hosting music and activities throughout the week—perfect for winding down after a full day of dancing!

📩 Reserve Your Spot Today! Space is limited, so sign up soon for this unforgettable week of dance, music, and community.

schedule

Schedule

Sun 4/13Mon 4/14Tue 4/15Wed 4/16Thur 4/17Fri 4/18Sat 4/19









Pipers Session
Pub
2-5pm
TC O’Leary’s (2926 NE Alberta St)		Breakfast | On your own or together a local resturants

Sean-nós Workshop  – 9:00 am – 10::15 am
2400 NE Alberta Street, Portland, OR
Steps & Sets Workshop  – 10:30 am – 11:45 am
2400 NE Alberta Street, Portland, OR
Lunch Break | On your own or together a local resturants
Sean-nós Workshop  – 2:00 pm – 3:15 pm
2400 NE Alberta Street, Portland, OR
Tea & treats  3:15-3:45
2400 NE Alberta Street, Portland, OR
Steps & Sets Workshop 3:45 pm -5 pm
2400 NE Alberta Street, Portland, OR
Dinner Break | Potluck or on your own
Welcome Session
6:00 pm

2400 NE Alberta Street		Clare
Bob Soper
6:00 pm
2400 NE Alberta Street		Connemara Mikey Beglan
6:00 pm

2400 NE Alberta Street		Modern
Geraldine Murray
6:00 pm

2400 NE Alberta Street		Sliabh Luchra
Betsy Branch
6:00 pm

2400 NE Alberta Street		Ceili Mor
7:00 pm
Elliot & Glen

Alberta Historic House
5131 NE 23rd Ave		Showcase
5pm
Feet, Fiddlers & Harp
Tunes/dances

Waverly, 3300 SE Woodward St
Kate & the Lads

8:00 pm
TC O’Leary’s 2926 NE Alberta St		Women’s Session

8:00 pm
TC O’Leary’s 2926 NE Alberta St		Mikey Beglan

8:00 pm
TC O’Leary’s 2926 NE Alberta St
  • Sunday April 13
    • 2pm-5pm Pipers Session at TC O’Leary’s Pub, O’Leary’s 2926 NE Alberta St
    • 6pm – Welcome session at Maldon’s house, 2400 NE Alberta St
  • Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm
    • 9am – 5pm, 4 workshops a day, Maldon’s house, 2400 NE Alberta St
  • Monday April 14 – 6pm
    • Evening dancing with Bob Soper (fiddle), Called Clare Sets and more
    • Maldon’s house, Maldon’s house, 2400 NE Alberta St
  • Tuesday April 15 – 6pm
    • Evening dancing with Mikey Beglan (accordion), Called Galway/Connemara sets and more,
    • Maldon’s house, 2400 NE Alberta St
  • Wednesday April 16 – 6pm
    • Evening dancing with Geraldine Murray (banjo/whistle), Called Modern Sets and more
    • Maldon’s house, 2400 NE Alberta St
  • Thursday April 17 – 6pm
    • Evening dancing with Betsy Branch (fiddle), Called Cork/Kerry Sets and more
    • Maldon’s house, 2400 NE Alberta St
  • Friday April 18 – 6:30pm
    • 3rd Friday Ceili with Elliot Grasso (pipes) & Glen Waddell (guitar)
    • Historic Alberta House, 5131 NE 23rd Ave, Portland, OR (4 block walk)
  • Saturday April 19 – 5pm
    • Feet, Fiddle and Harp Showcase
    • Student and teacher performance
    • Waverly, 3300 SE Woodward St, Portland, OR (we will need to drive/carpool)

register

Register for the Spring Dance Intensive

Only $250 for the whole week. This includes:

  • 20 workshops
  • 6 evening music/dance sessions
  • Ceili
  • Student showcase

What a deal! Limited to only 10 spots.

Classes, Past Classes

Maldon’s 3 Month Goal | Step Creation

maldonm

intro

My 3 month goal (90 day goal) to create dance steps. My adution goal is to create steps to one tune a week. I am going to use the Album Brightly or Darkly by Nathan Gourley & Laura Feddersen. I am going record some of my improvisaional session and then once I have a step that I can repeate on right and left side I will record a woodshed session with that step.

I will track my time and get a since of how much time it takes me to create these steps. And adjust my goal from there.

brightly or darkly