Sean nós dance class
2026-04-15 18:30 - 19:30, 2026-04-22 18:30 - 19:30, 2026-04-29 18:30 - 19:30, 2026-05-06 18:30 - 19:30, 2026-05-13 18:30 - 19:30, 2026-05-20 18:30 - 19:30, 2026-05-27 18:30 - 19:30 UTC | The JaM Space, 12009 Nebel St, Rockville, MD, 20852, United States
Deepen your musicality and make some noise! This sean nós dance class introduces this musical and expressive dance style from Ireland. Sean nós, meaning “old style” in Irish, originates from the Connemara region of Ireland and is characterized by its improvisational nature and close connection to the music. In this class, students will learn:

The fundamental techniques of sean nós, including close-to-the-floor stepping and relaxed upper body
Basic improvisation skills to develop one’s own style and percussive voice
Approaches to developing a playful and creative conversation with the music, musicians, and other dancers through this form

The class is geared toward beginner and advanced beginner dancers (ages 13+), but all levels are welcome. Leather-soled (non-stick) shoes are recommended; taps or Irish dance hard shoes are also acceptable. If you are not sure if this class is right for you, please talk to Kate.
Semester registration is encouraged, but drop-ins are welcome. A 15% discount is applied when you register for the semester for both sean nós and step dance classes (automatically applied at checkout).

Class details

Dates: Wednesdays, January 7 – May 27 (20 classes; no class February 11)
Time: 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Location: The JaM Space (12009 Nebel Street, Rockville, MD) (parking available; within walking distance of the North Bethesda Metro station)
Cost: $400 semester registration for 20 classes, $24 drop-in

Classes sponsored in part by EducArte.
Registration fees are non-refundable.
Photo credit: © Maryland State Arts Council 2025, MSAC.org

Irish step dance class
2026-04-15 19:30 - 21:00, 2026-04-22 19:30 - 21:00, 2026-04-29 19:30 - 21:00, 2026-05-06 19:30 - 21:00, 2026-05-13 19:30 - 21:00, 2026-05-20 19:30 - 21:00, 2026-05-27 19:30 - 21:00 UTC | The JaM Space, 12009 Nebel St, Rockville, MD, 20852, United States
Deepen your Irish dance technique and rhythm! These Irish step dance classes draw from various Irish step dance styles, especially festival style technique from the north of Ireland, with an emphasis on strength, control, musicality, and stage presence. In a fun and non-competitive environment, you will learn new steps and choreographies that will challenge and inspire your dancing.

The goal of the class series is to promote a holistic understanding of Irish dance, in all its styles, and develop strong performers, well-informed traditional dancers, and inspired creators.
The class is geared toward experienced Irish dancers (ages 13+) and includes both soft shoe and hard shoe dancing. New choreography will be introduced every 2-3 weeks. If you are not sure if this level is right for you, please talk to Kate.
The program is especially designed for dancers who may no longer be interested in competing, but still want to find joy in dancing and performing. Students will have opportunities to perform with Kate Spanos Irish Dance throughout the year.
Semester registration is encouraged, but drop-ins are welcome. A 15% discount is applied when you register for the semester for both sean nós and step dance classes (automatically applied at checkout).

Class details

Dates: Wednesdays, January 7 – May 27 (20 classes; no class February 11)
Time: 7:30-9 p.m.
Location: The JaM Space (12009 Nebel Street, Rockville, MD) (parking available; within walking distance of the North Bethesda Metro station)
Cost: $400 semester registration for 20 classes, $24 drop-in

Classes sponsored in part by EducArte.
Registration fees are non-refundable.
Photo credit: © Maryland State Arts Council 2025, MSAC.org

Monthly sean nós dance jam
2026-05-03 13:00 - 14:15, 2026-06-07 13:00 - 14:15 UTC | School of Musical Traditions, 7112 Willow Ave, Takoma Park, MD, 20912, United States
Join us for a monthly guided sean nós dance jam held at the School of Musical Traditions in Takoma Park, MD. These dancer-led sessions for Irish/percussive dancers and musicians offer a supportive environment to work on your footwork, share steps, improvise with live traditional music, and deepen your connection to this fun, uplifting tradition.
Kate Spanos will lead the session with a guided warm-up and some improvisational prompts and games to get everyone working together. Then we will open up the space for free improvisation and sharing rhythms with your fellow dancers. We will have 1-2 traditional Irish musicians playing live at each session, deepening our ability to connect not only to the music but also to the people playing it. So bring your shoes, your musicality, and your personal style!
All levels are welcome, as well as dancers from other styles of percussive dance.
We also hope you will join us after the jam to socialize at one of Takoma Park’s nearby restaurants/coffee bars. The idea is to not just dance together, but also get to know each other!

Event details:

Monthly on Sundays

Winter/Spring 2026 (second Sundays except May & June): Jan 11, Feb 8, Mar 8, Apr 12, May 3, Jun 7

1-2:15 p.m. (join us for a social hour afterward!)
All levels and ages are welcome, children must be accompanied by an adult
Leather-soled (non-stick) shoes or taps/hard shoes are recommended
$15 to participate
Location: School of Musical Traditions, 7112 Willow Ave, Takoma Park, MD
Free parking on site!

This program is supported in part by the Maryland State Arts Council (msac.org)
Photo © Maryland State Arts Council 2022, MSAC.org

Summer 2026 intensive: Sean nós + set dance battering
2026-07-01 18:00 - 19:30, 2026-07-08 18:00 - 19:30, 2026-07-15 18:00 - 19:30, 2026-07-22 18:00 - 19:30, 2026-07-29 18:00 - 19:30 (America/New_York) | Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, College Park, MD, 20742, United States
Wednesdays, July 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29, 6-7:30 p.m.
University of Maryland, College Park (Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, Dance Studio 1)
$125 full session, $30 drop-in
This special summer intensive invites you to dedicate the month of July to learning battering patterns to enhance your sean nós and country set dance practice. Battering patterns may include Connemara, Clare, Caledonian, and Cavan step variations, among others.
This class is appropriate for all levels, but some experience with sean nós or percussive dance will be helpful.
The workshop will take place on Wednesdays throughout the month of July at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center (Dance Studio 1) on the University of Maryland campus in College Park. Registrants will receive specific directions to the studio beforehand. Parking in Lots 1 & Z is free after 4 p.m.
Photo credit: © 2022 Maryland State Arts Council

Summer 2026 intensive: Dances from the video archive
2026-07-01 19:30 - 21:30, 2026-07-08 19:30 - 21:30, 2026-07-15 19:30 - 21:30, 2026-07-22 19:30 - 21:30, 2026-07-29 19:30 - 21:30 (America/New_York) | Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, College Park, MD, 20742, United States
Wednesdays, July 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29, 7:30-9:30 p.m.
University of Maryland, College Park (Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, Dance Studio 1)
$125 full session, $30 drop-in
This special summer intensive invites you to dedicate the month of July to learning steps and styles from various archival Irish dance videos, including Donncha & Celine’s heavy slip jig, Joe O’Donovan’s old style set dances, Peggy Cannon’s light slip jig, and Muiread and Frieda Gray’s hornpipes.
Teaching will be fast-paced, so students should have previous Irish dance experience.
The workshop will take place on Wednesdays throughout the month of July at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center (Dance Studio 1) on the University of Maryland campus in College Park. Registrants will receive specific directions to the studio beforehand. Parking in Lots 1 & Z is free after 4 p.m.
Photo credit: © 2022 Maryland State Arts Council

Sean Nós Dance Class
2026-09-02 18:30 - 19:30, 2026-09-09 18:30 - 19:30 (America/New_York) | The JaM Space, 12009 Nebel St, Rockville, MD, 20852, United States
Deepen your musicality and make some noise! This sean nós dance class introduces this musical and expressive dance style from Ireland. Sean nós, meaning “old style” in Irish, originates from the Connemara region of Ireland and is characterized by its improvisational nature and close connection to the music. In this class, students will learn:

The fundamental techniques of sean nós, including close-to-the-floor stepping and relaxed upper body
Basic improvisation skills to develop one’s own style and percussive voice
Approaches to developing a playful and creative conversation with the music, musicians, and other dancers through this form

The class is geared toward beginner and advanced beginner dancers (ages 13+), but all levels are welcome. Leather-soled (non-stick) shoes are recommended; taps or Irish dance hard shoes are also acceptable. If you are not sure if this class is right for you, please talk to Kate.

Class details

Dates: Wednesdays, September 2 to December 16 (15 classes; no class November 25)
Time: 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Location: The JaM Space (12009 Nebel Street, Rockville, MD) (parking available; within walking distance of the North Bethesda Metro station)
Cost: $300 semester registration for 15 classes, $20 per class with monthly option, $25 per drop-in class

Irish Step Dance Class
2026-09-02 19:30 - 21:00, 2026-09-09 19:30 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | The JaM Space, 12009 Nebel St, Rockville, MD, 20852, United States
Deepen your Irish dance technique and rhythm! These Irish step dance classes draw from various Irish step dance styles, especially festival style technique from the north of Ireland, with an emphasis on strength, control, musicality, and stage presence. In a fun and non-competitive environment, you will learn new steps and choreographies that will challenge and inspire your dancing. The goal of the class series is to promote a holistic understanding of Irish dance, in all its styles, and develop strong performers, well-informed traditional dancers, and inspired creators.
The class is geared toward experienced Irish dancers (ages 13+) and includes both soft shoe and hard shoe dancing. New choreography will be introduced every month or so. If you are not sure if this level is right for you, please talk to Kate.
The program is especially designed for dancers who may no longer be interested in competing, but still want to find joy in dancing and performing. Students will have opportunities to perform with Kate Spanos Irish Dance throughout the year.

Class details

Dates: Wednesdays, September 2 to December 16 (15 classes; no class November 25)
Time: 7:30-9 p.m.
Location: The JaM Space (12009 Nebel Street, Rockville, MD) (parking available; within walking distance of the North Bethesda Metro station)
Cost: $300 semester registration for 15 classes, $20 per class with monthly option, $25 per drop-in class
