Classes - Summer 2021
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Scholarship available: email to brimstunes@gmail.com
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Multi-class & Family Discounts Apply
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Membership: Yearly BRIMS membership is $70/ family and $45/individual
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Unless otherwise noted: “Classes” will consist of one instructional video that can be accessed whenever and however many times a student would like. followed within a week by a Zoom meeting with the instructor to go over material, ask questions, etc.
TUESDAY CLASSES** (begin May 25)
For questions regarding class levels and placement, please email to brimstunes@gmail.com
** Tenor banjo class is on Monday
** Scoil Zoom class on Wednesday
Teen Flute & Whistle Class (ages 10-16)
Fiona Balestrieri
Tuesdays 4:00 p.m.- Zoom meeting
8 Weeks
$200 (BRIMS members pay $180)
This class will cover standard session repertoire, as well as tunes played by the Trad ensemble. We will discuss playing technique (when -do- you breathe, anyway?), work on our ornamentation, and put some sets of tunes together for session playing or performance. Just as importantly, we will keep things at a friendly pace and have fun!
Older students are welcome depending on level, please drop a line to inquire to brimstunes@gmail.com
Trad Ensemble
Alex Davis & Augie Fairchild
Tuesdays 5:00 p.m.- Zoom meeting
8 Weeks
$200 (BRIMS members pay $180)
Note: This class is free to any student taking another paid 8-week BRIMS class
In this class we will work on both new and current repertoire for the performing arm of BRIMS. This semester we will review and practice songs and tunes that are already played by the Trad Ensemble, as well as learn new songs and tunes. We will also make some exciting music videos to showcase our efforts by the end of the semester.
Session Workshop Class
Alex Davis
Tuesdays 6:00 p.m.- Zoom meeting
8 Weeks
$200 (BRIMS members pay $180)
In this class we will learn some common and not so common tunes that can be played in a traditional Irish session. The focus of the class is primarily learning by ear, though ABC notation and "the dots" or staff notation may be used as a learning aid. Each week the class will receive an instructional video with a tune for students to learn individually. On the class Zoom sessions we will review the tune together and troubleshoot any roadblocks! All levels and instrument types are welcome in this workshop, although basic instrument proficiency is expected. Generally, the focus is on learning melodies, however, accompaniment instruments are also welcome!
Irish Fiddle for Beginners
Marie Borgman
Tuesdays 5:00 p.m. - Zoom meeting
8 Weeks
$200 (BRIMS members pay $180)
Learn Irish fiddle technique and common tunes. Students must have basic violin skills.
Irish Fiddle-Intermediate
Marie Borgman
Tuesdays 6:00 p.m.- Zoom meeting
8 Weeks
$200 (BRIMS members pay $180)
Learn Irish fiddle tunes, Irish technique, ornaments and bowing. Ideal for students with at least a few years of fiddle or violin training.
Sean-nós Dance, Ages 10-Adult
Fiona Balestrieri
Tuesdays 6:00 p.m.-Zoom meeting
8 Weeks
$200 (BRIMS members pay $180)
Sean-nós or “old-style” dancing is an improvised percussive dance style that shares roots with flatfooting, clogging, and modern Irish hard shoe. In this class, you will learn the “basic” foot rhythms of Jigs and Reels and build a repertoire of “steps.” Together we will teach our feet to speak the rhythms of Irish traditional music, and gain confidence in improvising our own steps. All skill levels welcome!
Ballads and Songs of Ireland
Fiona Balestrieri
Tuesdays 7:00 p.m.-Zoom meeting
8 weeks
$200 (BRIMS members pay $180)
In this class we join in a vast and diverse oral tradition of song that links Ireland to its many diasporas. We will build a repertoire of songs in Irish and English, and use them to explore vocal ornamentation and harmony singing. As we sing, we will also work on relaxing the tension that many of us bring to singing through deep breathing and mindfulness. I hope that each one of you will come out of the class your own versions of the songs we learn and the heart to sing them with confidence in the shower, the pub, or wherever songs are sung.
Tenor Banjo - Ages: All
Seth Swingle
Mondays 6:00 p.m.-Zoom meeting
8 Weeks
$200 (BRIMS members pay $180)
This class will cover the basics: rhythm, ear training, triplets and where to deploy them, different time signatures, etc. Expect lots of repertoire, with a few rare tunes among the session favorites. We can also spend some time on banjo history, instrument setup and any specific banjo questions/issues students might have.
Scoil Sampler Class for ages 5-11
Lori Madden and Guests
Wednesdays 4:30-5:15 p.m.- Zoom meeting
8 Weeks
$180 (BRIMS members pay $160)
Pronounced skōl, Scoil is the Irish word for school.
BRIMS’ Scoil Sampler is a class for the young beginner with an interest in Irish culture. The course includes music, singing, dance, crafts and a window into Irish culture geared towards young students. Scoil Sampler class includes:
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Music
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Tin whistle for absolute beginners (BRIMS provides tin whistles).
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Fiddle (student must already play some violin to choose this option).
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Songs
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Fun and silly songs from Ireland! We’ll provide the audio and lyrics to print.
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Crafts
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BRIMS provides craft supplies and tin whistles through contactless delivery via mail or pre arranged pickup times/locations.
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Videos
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Scoil students will have access through the website.to an array of videos including stories, songs, dance steps, craft instructions and more!
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Weekly Zoom Meeting, Wednesdays 4:30-5:15 p.m.
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Students will participate in weekly Zoom meetings to visit with fellow students, go over material in videos, sing & play music, show off their crafts and more!
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THURSDAY CLASSES (Begin March 25)
For questions regarding class levels and placement, please email to brimstunes@gmail.com
Teen/Adult Advanced Beginner Hardshoe
Mimi Vidaver-Davis
Thursdays 6:30 p.m.-Zoom meeting
8 Weeks
$200 (BRIMS members pay $180)
In this class students will work on the building blocks of hardshoe dancing including steps, form and technique
Cape Breton Step Dance (NEW offering) Teen/Adult
Mimi Vidaver-Davis
Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. - Zoom meeting
8 Weeks
$200 (BRIMS members pay $180)
Cape Breton Step Dance hails from Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia, Canada. This close-to-the-floor, "neat and tidy" percussive dance style evolved from the step dancing of settlers from the Scottish Highlands. In this class, students will learn to dance to both reels and strathspeys. They will learn the fundamental building block steps, known as "basics," along with the foot placement and specific stylistic elements that set Cape Breton step dance apart from other North American and European percussive dance traditions. Students will also practice their improvisational skills and build up their repertoire of steps by learning to mix and match and combine the "basics" into more intricate steps and combinations. All levels and dance backgrounds welcome!
Teen/Adult Advanced Hybrid (soft/hard shoe) Course
Carolyn Ward
Thursdays 7:30 p.m.
8 Weeks
$200 (BRIMS members pay $180)
This 8-week session condenses the Teen/Adult Advanced Hardshoe and Advanced Softshoe classes and is a partial continuation of the fall semester. We will spend 4 weeks on Softshoe material and 4 weeks on Hardshoe material.
Students will learn 1 step of the Reel and 1-2 Treble Reel steps, both with an emphasis on competition-style moves. Material will be taught during Zoom classes, but students will be provided instructional videos to reference on their own time.
Beginner Youth Irish Dance Soft Shoe (ages 7-12)
Carolyn Ward
Thursdays 5:30 p.m. - Zoom meeting
8 Weeks
$200 (BRIMS members pay $180)
For all students brand new to Irish dance. Class will include basic skills and technique.
Intermediate Youth Irish Dance Soft Shoe
Instructor Fiona Balestrieri
Thursdays 5:30 p.m. - Zoom meeting
8 Weeks
$200 (BRIMS members pay $180)For students, ages 7-12, who have taken at least 2 semesters of soft shoe dance, or Instructor permission.
Beginner Irish Dance Soft Shoe (Teen/Adult)
Instructor Fiona Balestrieri
Thursdays 6:30 p.m. - Zoom meeting
8 Weeks
$200 (BRIMS members pay $180)
For all students brand new to Irish dance. Class will include basic skills and technique.
Intermediate/Advanced Flute (for adults & advanced teen players)
Fiona Balestrieri
Thursdays 7:30 p.m.- Zoom meeting
8 Weeks
$200 (BRIMS members pay $180)
In this class, we will spend time learning about the intricacies of flute technique: breathing, phrasing, tone, and ornamentation. Each week we will pick one or two tunes to explore, and find out just what we can do with them! We will also spend some time listening to different players and discussing what techniques they are using to create their own personal style.
Minimum 3 years playing experience recommended, but please contact us with any questions about playing level.