What a great run we’ve had with our sean nós jam sessions this past year!
Each month at the School of Musical Traditions, we came together to listen, try things out, and get a little more comfortable improvising. It’s not always easy to jump into sean nós, but this group made it feel welcoming and low-pressure from the start—and it was so rewarding to see everyone grow.
We’re incredibly grateful for support from the Maryland State Arts Council Creativity Grant, which made it possible to collaborate with some of the best Irish musicians in town. Getting to dance to such a wide range of playing styles—and to learn directly from the musicians about how they approach Irish traditional music—added so much depth to the experience.
One of my favorite aspects was the social time after each session. It turned into more than just dancing; it became a space to connect, chat, and build community. That piece felt just as important as what we were doing on the dance floor, and it was great to get to know everyone a little better.
We ended the season on a high note by taking things outside—bringing our board over to the Takoma Park gazebo for some dancing in the open air. It was such a fun way to wrap things up and share a bit of what we do with passersby, who seemed vaguely intrigued! 🙂
We’re taking a break from this particular jam format for now, but we’re not stopping entirely. I’m looking forward to showing up together at local Irish music sessions and keeping the spirit of these gatherings going. If you’re interested in joining us for future sessions or want to be looped in when the next opportunity comes around, just let me know, and I’ll keep you in the loop.
Thanks to everyone who joined us this year. We’ll see you at the next session!
