Nua-nós means “new style“ in the Irish language. It’s a playful reference to the term “sean-nós,” which means ”old-style“ and describes the improvisational percussive step dance style from the West of Ireland. The group Nua-nós brings a fresh and exciting interpretation to Irish sean-nós dancing, as well as other traditional step dance styles.
The group’s four members, who come from Ireland, America, and Sweden, met at the University of Limerick, Ireland in 2004. Their weekly informal dance jams and their shared interests in old-style dancing sparked a compelling group dynamic. Among them, they perform a wide variety of traditional and original dances in Irish, Scottish, and Cape Breton styles. In performance, Nua-nós maintains the integrity of deep-rooted traditions while adding contemporary innovations and an unstoppable sense of fun, bringing sean-nós step dancing from the old world into the new.
Nua-nós performers are:
Nua-nós is available to teach and perform at festivals, concerts, and summer schools. Each member of the group holds a Master’s Degree from the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, University of Limerick. Their areas of expertise include:
- Irish Sean-nós Step Dancing
- Irish Set and Céilí Dancing
- Traditional Irish Step Dancing
- Cape Breton Step Dancing
- Scottish Country, Highland, and Hebridean Dance
- The History of Irish Dance
- The History of Scottish Dance
- Traditional Irish Fiddle Music
- Choreography and Contemporary Dance Technique
The members of Nua-nós now live in Boston, Galway, and Limerick. For bookings or more information, click here.