Kieran teaches non-competitive Irish dance, presenting classes and workshops in Boston and worldwide.
Her classes emphasize body-awareness, rhythm, musicality, and performing skills. She brings a holistic approach to
her teaching, incorporating exercises in composition, improvisation, and mind-body techniques. Kieran earned her T.C.R.G.
(Irish dance teacher certification) from An Coímísíun le Ríncí Gaelacha in 2002. In 2005, she completed a Masters
Degree in Contemporary Dance Performance at the University of Limerick, Ireland. In Boston, she continues her own
movement training, taking classes in modern dance, somatics, and fitness techniques. Please join Kieran for a unique
and uplifting learning experience in Irish dance.
“Her classes appear to be a rare find.”
— Cambridge Chronicle
Sean-nós Workshops
Sean-nós means “old-style” in the Irish language. Sean-nós Irish step dancing is a solo, musical dance style that can include inventive rhythms,
improvisation, playful performance quality, and a relaxed, expressive upper body. Kieran has studied sean-nós dance styles from Connemara and
West Clare in Ireland. She is the 2005 Second Place Winner of the Comórtas Chóilín Sheáin Dharach, a sean-nós jig competition in Ros Muc, County Galway.
Her sean-nós workshops are available to students with or without dance experience. Best suited to ages 11 and up. Please bring shoes with smooth,
hard leather soles. Thick sneakers and sandals are not recommended.
- Sean-nós Step Dance Workshop
with Kieran Jordan
- Presented by the Folklore Society of Greater Washington
- Saturday, May 10, 2:00-4:00 pm / $30
- St. James Church, Upper Parish Hall
- 222 8th Street, NE
- Washington, D.C.
- Sean-nós Step Dance Workshop
with Kieran Jordan
- Presented by the Saline Celtic Festival
- Saturday, July 12
- Saline, Michigan
- Sean-nós Step Dance Workshop
with Kieran Jordan
- Presented by the Catskills Irish Arts Week
- A week-long event with classes, céilís, performances, and more!
- July 13 - 19
- East Durham, New York
- Sean-nós Step Dance Workshop
with Kieran Jordan
- Presented by the New World Festival
- Sunday, August 31
- Randolph, Vermont
Beyond the Feis™ is Kieran’s workshop for Irish dancing schools.
It is designed to introduce Irish step dancers to aspects of traditional dance and music that extend beyond competition
steps and competition culture. The workshop lasts one to two days and can be tailored specifically to meet the needs
and interests of a particular dancing school. It is best suited to dancers ages 11 and up. Topics include:
- The History of Irish Dance
- Music for Dancers: Understanding Traditional Irish Music and Working With Musicians
- Safety Dance: Warm-ups, Alignment, Stretching, and Strengthening for Irish Dance
- Skills for Stage: Enhancing Your Performance Technique
- Introduction to ”Sean-nós“ (old style) Irish step dance
- Introduction to Irish Set Dancing
- Survey of Related Step Dance Styles (Cape Breton, Appalachian Clogging, Tap)
- Improvisation in Hard Shoe Dance (Percussive Dance Jam)
- Choreography and Composition for Irish Dance Performance
For more information, please contact Kieran.
- Beyond the Feis™ Workshop with Kieran Jordan
- Hosted by Evolution Dance
- Saturday, January 26
- 9:30 am – 3:00 pm
- Tacoma, Washington
- Contact Kieran for more information
Registration Information: Classes are offered for teens and adults, ages 11 and up. Pre-registration is
required for all class sessions. To register, please mail payment by June 16, payable to: Kieran Jordan, 22 Huntoon Street,
Dorchester, MA 02124. Please include your name, address, phone number, and email address with your payment. Payment received after June 16 is subject to a $10 late fee.
Shoes: Kieran recommends Fays Shoes
for traditional Irish dance or Capezio dance sneakers as a beginner/practice shoe. For sean-nós dance shoes, try
La Duca or Capezio.
Sean-nós Irish Step Dance / 5 classes
Sean-nós (old style) step dancing is experiencing a renaissance in Ireland and is being danced and taught at folk festivals internationally.
An expressive, close-to-the-floor percussive dance style, sean-nós dance requires good music listening skills and a willingness to improvise
and play with rhythm and performance. In this class session, we will continue to explore performance, improvisation, and choreographic structures.
This class is best suited to dancers with at least 6 months of sean-nós dance experience (or by instructor’s permission).
- Tuesdays, June 24, July 1, 8, 22, August 5
- 7:45 – 9:00 pm
- Raff Dance Studio
- 14 Harvard Ave., Allston, MA
- directions / parking
- $15 per class on a drop-in basis OR $65 for all 5 classes, due by June 16 – see Registration Information above
Intermediate Irish Step and Céilí Dancing Technique / 7-week session
This class focuses on traditional and original performance material in step and céilí dancing. Each class will include a thorough
warm-up and strengthening exercises followed by steps and repertoire. Choreography, improvisation, and somatic techniques will also be
included. Students enrolling in this class should have at least 2 years of experience in soft and hard shoes, creative spirits, and a
willingness to try new things.
- Tuesdays, June 24 – August 5
- 6:15 – 7:45 pm
- Raff Dance Studio
- 14 Harvard Ave., Allston, MA
- directions / parking
- $15 per class on a drop-in basis OR $95 for all 7 classes due by June 16 – see Registration Information above
Advanced Irish Dance Technique and Choreography / 7-week session
This class focuses on traditional and original performance material in step and céilí dancing. Each class will include a thorough
warm-up and strengthening exercises followed by steps and repertoire. Choreography, improvisation, and somatic techniques will also be
included. Students enrolling in this class should have intermediate-advanced level proficiency in soft and hard shoe dancing, creative
spirits, and a willingness to try new things.
- Mondays, June 23 – August 4
- 5:45 – 7:15 pm
- The Dance Complex (Studio 5)
- 536 Massachusetts Ave.
- Central Square, Cambridge, MA
- $15 per class on a drop-in basis OR $95 for all 7 classes due by June 16 – see Registration Information above
