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COVID NOTE: Until further notice, attendance at BRIMS concerts requires proof of vaccination.
Masking is also required (masks may be removed if eating or drinking).

MISSION

The Blue Ridge Irish Music School (BRIMS) is dedicated to teaching the living art of traditional Irish music, as well as to fostering a dynamic environment for it in our community.

To carry out this mission BRIMS offers regular classes in Irish traditional music on various instruments, three styles of dance, and presents educational workshops, social events, and ceilis. In addition we sponsor master classes and field trips and actively support the local session scene.

CLASSES and the BRIMS TRAD ENSEMBLE

The Blue Ridge Irish Music School offers a variety of classes for dance, instruments, singing and ensemble playing.

• Dance classes include soft shoe and hard shoe Irish dance, sean-nós (old style) dance and Cape Breton dance.

• Our instructors teach instrument classes in fiddle, flute, Irish whistle, Irish harp, guitar, and tenor banjo.

• Unique to the Irish tradition, BRIMS offers a course on playing in sessions - both the etiquette for playing with others and learning common session tunes.

• More advanced students participate in the BRIMS Traditional Ensemble, learning tunes, songs and performing out in the Charlottesville community.

• Our singing classes focus on learning songs - both old and new - from the Irish tradition.

SUMMER CAMP and IRELAND STUDY TRIPS

BRIMS Summer Day Camp offers students a rich cultural experience that includes Irish music, dance, singing, drama, Irish language, crafts and more! Camp is for ages 5-14 and goes from 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. (There is care available an hour before and/or an hour after camp day).

BRIMS has sponsored five study trips to Ireland over the past 20 years with the sixth scheduled for summer 2022. Participants will engage in activities including instrument workshops with local musicians, dance workshops - step dance, sean nos, social (sets & ceili), singing, storytelling

Irish language and culture, plus more.

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Participants do not have to be BRIMS members OR musicians to go on (and enjoy!) this trip.