Irish Dance Workshop: Traditional, Rhythmic and Creative Irish Dance gets everyone moving! This aerobic art form is great fun, and is experienced as part of a cultural introduction to the Irish, their dancing and music. Maire Clerkin teaches basic steps in Jig and Reel, within the context of 'Ceili' or group formation dances. Students are given an assortment of foot moves from which to create their own phrases with a partner. They will observe a live performance; discover the key technique points; find out how to locate Ireland on a map; study photographs and samples of Celtic Art; relate Irish immigration to other ethnic groups; compare with Tap, Folk and other dance forms; raise rhythmic and musical awareness; work collaboratively; gain new vocabulary; identify musical instruments and acquire a skill. Lessons can be adapted to the curriculum needs of the class and meet the California Arts Standards.

Irish Dance and Drama Workshop: Irish Dance & Drama is typically a 14-session residency that is accessible and fun. The program enables students to develop social skills through teamwork, raise literacy and movement ability, discover cultural traditions, and build musical awareness. Students will gain a basic knowledge of Irish Dance, which they can apply to the dramatic reenactment of traditional Celtic folk tales. Ideally suited to curriculum studies in Language Arts as well as Dance, Irish Dance & Drama focuses on interpreting the written word through participatory movement . The program adapts a Celtic myth or folk tale to sessions involving traditional footwork and ?Ceili? social dances from Ireland, improvised movement, ensemble narration, acting methods, character creation, plot understanding, rhythmic body percussion, and text exploration. Each class gets to enact a scene from the story in a culminating performance.

Maire Clerkin is also a part of the assembly performance A Gaelic Gathering: Irish Music & Dance

Price:
$100 per 60-minute workshop, plus possible planning fee. Minimum three workshops per day must be scheduled.

Age Group: Grades K-12
Capacity: 1 Classroom (maximum of 35 students, plus regular teacher)
Availability: Year Round

Teacher In-Service Price: $300/hour (2-hour minimum required).
Capacity: 40 Educators

To design an arts education program with this artist, please call (213) 250-ARTS or email schoolprograms@musiccenter.org.

Prices are for services between July 1, 2010 and June 30, 2011.