Classes Begin January 12th!

If you would like to come check us out before registering, please send us an email and let us know when you would like to visit! info@slia.org Visitors are welcome by appointment only. Make sure to register for all classes for your family at once to avoid incurring additional fees.

Youth Classes

Monday Class - 4:30-6pm. For beginner students 4-9 years old. In this class, students will learn tin whistle, harmonica, singing, dancing, and Irish culture - $450 for the spring semester

Tuesday Class - 4:30-7:30pm - For students with prior experience over 12 years old. In this class, students will increase their repertoire in small instrument specific groups, work in small duets and trios, and prepare for performances and competitions in our large ensemble. (4:30-5:15pm soft shoe dance class, 5:15-6:45 music classes, 6:45-7:30 hard shoe dance class) - $500 for the spring semester

Wednesday Class - 4:30-6:30pm (7pm finish for those doing hard shoe) - For beginners over 9 years old, and students with prior experience under 12 years old. In this class, students will have a one hour long music class, and a one hour long dance class - $475 for the spring semester

Youth Singing Class Students - Wednesdays 4-4:30pm - For students under 18 years old with a particular interest in singing - $20 for the spring semester

Adult Classes

Adult Beginner Whistle - Mondays 5-5:45pm - For adults with little to no prior experience - $150 for the spring semester

Adult Intermediate Whistle - Wednesdays 5:30-6:30pm - For adults already able to play a handful of tunes - $150 for the spring semester

Adult Intermediate/Advanced Ensemble - Tuesdays 6:30-7:30pm - For anyone with a good working knowledge of Irish music and their instrument - $250 for the spring semester

Adult Step Dance - Mondays 6:15-6:45pm - For adults interested in solo Irish step dancing - $250 for the spring semester

Yoga - Mondays 6:45-7:30pm - For adults interested in solo Irish step dancing - $250 for the spring semester, or free with the Adult Dance Class!

Embroidery Class - Wednesdays 4:45-6:15pm - Mrs G will guide you through the process of embroidering a pillow sham with your choice of celtic design. Materials included - $75 for the spring semester

Spring 2026 Special Classes

Minimum of 3 signups needed, $30 for single classes, $100 for 3 week series classes. If minimum is not met, you will be refunded.

Saturday, January 24th at 10am - Intro to Music Theory (beginner) - Eileen Gannon
This class is for anyone who wants to learn how to read music. We will start with the absolute basics (note names and rhythms) and put them into practice. If there is interest in continuing, we will add more classes with more advanced material.

Wednesday, Jan 28 at 6pm - What Do You Hear? (class - all levels) - Nicolas Brown
In this class, attendees will listen to recordings of traditional Irish music and then engage in a group discussion about what they heard. Some of the topics discussed may include regional and personal styles, tuning, tune choice, variations, rhythm, and ornamentation. Students new to traditional music will get a chance to hear some great masters they aren't familiar with yet, and more experienced players will have an opportunity to expand their understanding of the music and refine the ear. This class is designed to help everyone delve a little deeper into the music than they normally do, learn from each other, and ultimately encourage active listening.

Thursday, Jan 29 at 6.30pm - Intro to Lilting - Eimear Arkins
Lilting is a form of Irish mouth music, also known as diddling, mouth jigging or portaireacht béil. Learn about the origins of this tradition, tips and tricks for getting started yourself and ways to make sense of all the 'nonsensical vocables.' There's more to lilting than just diddly-eye! No experience required.

Monday, February 2 at 6pm - Intro to Irish Music I - A General Overview - Jennifer Kelly
Discover the foundations of Irish traditional music in this accessible introductory class. We’ll explore its history, core instruments, common tune types (including the most common dance tunes), and other essential topics that bring the tradition to life. This course follows the same presentation format as the 2025 class.

Monday, February 9 at 6pm - Intro to Irish Music II – Diving Deeper - Jennifer Kelly
Designed as a follow-up to Intro to Irish Music, this class takes a closer look at the rich layers of the tradition. Topics include a historical background, the culture of Irish sessions and etiquette, tune types beyond common dance tunes, regional stylistic variations, and a deeper look at influential traditional and contemporary artists. *Prior attendance in Intro to Irish Music is recommended, but not required

Tuesday February 10, 17 and 24 7pm- Complete Irish Guitar Accompaniment (3 class series) - Kevin Buckley
The first two workshops focus on a variety of common chord shapes and progressions. Standard/Drop D tuning and DADGAD tunings will be addressed on seperate days.
The third workshop will use these progressions to study right hand techniques and rhythms for dance tunes.
Irish Guitar Accompaniment - Standard and Drop D Tuning
Irish Guitar Accompaniment - DADGAD
Irish Guitar Accompaniment - Right Hand and Rhythms

Monday, Feb 9 at 6pm Hop Jigs! (class - all levels) - Nicolas Brown
In this workshop, Nicolas will give some background on this elusive tune type. He will discuss the history and origins, including speculation on the relationship to other tune rhythms and genres of traditional music. Most importantly, he will describe how to differentiate them from slip jigs and other tune types, play some recorded examples, and teach one or two uncommon hop jigs.

Wednesday, February 25 at 6pm- Flute & Whistle Tunes - Jennifer Kelly
A hands-on learning session focused on flute and tin whistle players. Learn several tunes by ear while developing tone, breath control, and ornamentation techniques unique to Irish wind playing. We will also explore how to shape your own musical expression within each tune. Intermediate proficiency on flute or tin whistle required.
Recordings and sheet music will be shared via a Google Drive folder

Tuesday March 3, 10 and 24 at 7pm- Introduction to Bodhran (three class series) - Chris Weddle
This is a beginner class. You must provide your own bodhrán.

Thursday, April 16 at 7pm - A Short History of Nearly Everything… about the Uilleann Pipes (lecture) - Nicolas Brown
The history of the uilleann pipes (which were originally called the unions pipes!) is fascinating, and not entirely clear, but this lecture will give an overview of the development of this strange and unlikely instrument. Recordings, photos, biographies of important pipe makers, and the various things this instrument has been called, will be included. And don’t worry, we’ll get to where they got the name “uilleann”!

Monday April 27 at 6pm - Learning How to Learn - Brenda Castles
In this workshop you'll learn ways to maximize your practice time in order to get more done in less time. I'll be giving tips on how to learn more efficiently-tips I've gathered over my 30+ years of teaching traditional Irish music. By the end of the workshop you'll have tools to help you learn more efficiently.

Costumes

Each student is fitted for a school costume to wear for performances and competitions (Feiseanna.) There is an annual fee to rent and clean your school costume. Advanced students may also purchase their own solo dress to wear at performances. These must be approved by the teacher. Solo dresses can also be custom ordered.

Dancing Shoes

You have a very limited supply of used small sizes for $20, or buy your own at https://onpointedancewear.com/

Tin Whistle

Your child will receive their first tin whistle when they register. There is no extra charge for the first tin whistle. However, if you lose that one, you will need to purchase subsequent tin whistles for $10.

Other Instruments

All students learn to play the tin whistle. Private Lessons/2nd Instruments: Dedicated and progressing students are also given the opportunity to play a second instrument of their choice. For these instruments, private lessons with SLIA teachers are recommended in order for students to progress. SLIA teachers are available to give private tuition on: Harp, Fiddle, Tin Whistle, Flute, Banjo, Concertina and Uilleann Pipes.

Extra Dance Lessons

Please email info@slia.org to arrange

Teaching Method

Our method of teaching music is the old traditional Irish way. The Irish traditional method of teaching music is very similar to the Suzuki method, which focuses on learning by ear. It has been the way Irish music has been taught throughout the generations. Encouragement of daily practice from parents is a must if children are to make progress.

Students will sometimes need to come to extra practices on Saturdays. We perform all over St. Louis throughout the year, and we expect our intermediate and advanced students to attend these whenever possible. You will be notified of these performances by email.

Location

Classes are held at 5111 Southwest Ave, St. Louis MO 63110.

The school is located in The Hill neighborhood, near Favazza's Restaurant. Ample street parking is available, and there is an accessible entrance. Doors are kept locked and visitors must be buzzed in.