Kieran’s choreography explores flowing organic movement, Irish dance rhythms, and the intrinsic relationships that occur between music and dance. With intricate footwork, she uses shape and sound to communicate, tell a joke or a story, or reflect the haunting, hypnotic quality of Irish traditional music. With an inventive use of partnering and patterning, her duets, trios, and ensemble pieces evoke fresh, accessible moods and characters. Drawing on her background in contemporary dance, Kieran is interested in making Irish dances that allow for natural movement and expression in the whole body. This video shows excerpts of Kieran’s work from 2003-2006. To see more videos, visit each project below or also visit youtube.com/KieranJordan

Triptych A trio featuring Laura Risk (fiddle), Paddy League (bodhrán, guitar, vocals), and Kieran Jordan (percussive dance), Triptych performs traditional Irish, Scottish, and French-Canadian music as well as original pieces by members of the group. Using a variety of shoes and floor surfaces, and step dance grooves from many traditions, Kieran's dancing is the percussive component in the overall sound. Their 2011 self-titled CD showcases the fluid, improvisational energy of the trio. With affecting musicality and a compelling group dynamic, Triptych gives unique and memorable concert performances.

“… the best bit of dancing I ever heard on a recording…”
— Seamus Connolly

“… a solid groove, subtle and sweet, with guts underneath!”
— Jean Denney Grotewohl

The Sole Mates create free-spirited choreography, celebrating the many moods and flavors of Irish dance. “We honor our traditions and continue to probe them,” says Kieran, drawing inspiration from abstract full-body movement to precision sean-nós dance steps — from the soul of the music to the sole of the foot. Featuring Josh Dukes, Danielle Enblom, Kieran Jordan, Sean McComiskey, and Nicholas Yenson, The Sole Mates convey the lyricism, playfulness, and power of Irish music and dance.

Kitchen Quartet unites four seasoned performers from America’s East Coast Irish music scene. Shannon Dunne (dance and vocals), Kieran Jordan (dance), Sean McComiskey (button accordion), and Cleek Schrey (fiddle) combine the down-to-earth ease of a kitchen session with the sophisticated interplay of a string quartet. Sean and Cleek’s meaty Irish jigs and reels meander to delicate old-world waltzes, and spiral around through contemporary improvisation and layers of harmonic invention. Spirited and imaginative, Shannon and Kieran’s sean-nós dancing creates the rhythmic “footing” for the band and prompts a highly interactive concert performance. Spoken word, singing, and theatricality complete their warm and whimsical show.

Kieran Jordan Dancers bring a fresh interpretation to the old favorites – traditional jigs and reels with an earthy, yet contemporary, artistic approach. Comprised of Kieran’s students and special guests, this group of young adult performers presents a wide repertoire, including Irish step and céilí dances, sean-nós (old style) steps, and original figure choreography. The Boston Irish Reporter describes their work as "traditionally-informed, thoughtful, and original," and audiences have remarked on their "relaxed fun groove" and "generous spirit of fun." This group has performed widely in the Boston area and is available for festivals, concerts, and other events.

Turnstyles Dance Project revolves within the worlds of traditional and modern dance. Drawing from contemporary, Irish, and Scottish dance techniques, Turnstyles seeks to expand step dance and to unravel traditional forms into new expressions of full-bodied, modern dance. This collaborative group, founded and directed by Kieran Jordan and Scottish Highland dancer Jen Schoonover, explores improvisation and artistic innovation to create inventive choreography reflecting the heart and soul of Celtic music.

Nua-nós features Kieran Jordan, Maldon Meehan, Mats Melin, and Ronan Regan. Their shared interests in Irish and Scottish “old style” step dancing brought them together as friends and collaborators at the University of Limerick, Ireland in 2004. As active dance teachers, researchers and touring artists, they perform finely crafted choreography while maintaining the informality and ease of sean-nós dance.

A Christmas Celtic Sojourn Hosted by WGBH radio presenter Brian O’Donovan, this live theatre production is an old-fashioned holiday sharing of music, songs, poetry, and dances from Celtic traditions. Kieran is Dance Director for this show and has participated as a performer and choreographer since 2004. She is featured in the DVD, A Christmas Celtic Sojourn, Live, filmed in Boston in 2006.

Childsplay is a performance ensemble with nearly 30 musicians, including some of America’s leading virtuosos in traditional and contemporary fiddle music. For over 20 years, Childsplay has performed in the United States and Europe, showcasing different styles of fiddle music on instruments made by Bob Childs. Kieran was the original step dancer with this group, and she continues to work with them as a dance consultant and choreographer. Through this project, she has collaborated and performed with dancers Amy Fenton-Shine and Pierre Chartrand and has created duets for Shannon Dunne and Nic Gareiss.