Kate Spanos Irish Dance

Irish Step Dance Class
2026-10-14 19:30 - 21:00, 2026-10-07 19:30 - 21:00, 2026-09-30 19:30 - 21:00, 2026-09-23 19:30 - 21:00, 2026-09-16 19:30 - 21:00, 2026-09-09 19:30 - 21:00, 2026-09-02 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

Sean Nós Dance Class
2026-10-14 18:30 - 19:30, 2026-10-07 18:30 - 19:30, 2026-09-30 18:30 - 19:30, 2026-09-23 18:30 - 19:30, 2026-09-16 18:30 - 19:30, 2026-09-09 18:30 - 19:30, 2026-09-02 18:30 - 19:30 | 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

Wedding céilí (private)
2026-10-02 17:00 - 20:00 | MD
Private event. Want to hire us to perform, call a céilí, or teach a workshop? Contact us.

Summer 2026 intensive: Dances from the video archive
2026-07-29 19:30 - 21:30, 2026-07-22 19:30 - 21:30, 2026-07-15 19:30 - 21:30, 2026-07-08 19:30 - 21:30, 2026-07-01 19:30 - 21:30 | 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.
Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, University of Maryland, College Park
$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

Summer 2026 intensive: Sean nós + set dance battering
2026-07-29 18:00 - 19:30, 2026-07-22 18:00 - 19:30, 2026-07-15 18:00 - 19:30, 2026-07-08 18:00 - 19:30, 2026-07-01 18:00 - 19:30 | 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.
Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, University of Maryland, College Park
$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

CCÉ MAD Weekend faculty concert
2026-07-25 19:30 - 21:30 | Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Rockville, 100 Welsh Park Dr, Rockville, MD, 20850, United States
Kate Spanos will perform in the CCÉ MAD Weekend faculty concert.
MAD Weekend is a nationally and internationally acclaimed program providing Irish traditional cultural arts instruction. It follows in the time-honored process of bringing authentic masters of the traditions together with aspiring musicians, singers, dancers, and Irish speakers for rich interaction and instruction.

CCÉ MAD Weekend sean nós workshops
2026-07-25 10:00 - 14:30 | Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Rockville, 100 Welsh Park Dr, Rockville, MD, 20850, United States
Kate Spanos will teach two beginner/intermediate sean nós dance workshops (morning and afternoon) at MAD Weekend.
MAD Weekend is a nationally and internationally acclaimed program providing Irish traditional cultural arts instruction. It follows in the time-honored process of bringing authentic masters of the traditions together with aspiring musicians, singers, dancers, and Irish speakers for rich interaction and instruction.

CCÉ MAD Weekend céilí
2026-07-24 19:00 - 22:00 | Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Rockville, 100 Welsh Park Dr, Rockville, MD, 20850, United States
Kate Spanos will call the CCÉ MAD Weekend opening night céilí.
MAD Weekend is a nationally and internationally acclaimed program providing Irish traditional cultural arts instruction. It follows in the time-honored process of bringing authentic masters of the traditions together with aspiring musicians, singers, dancers, and Irish speakers for rich interaction and instruction.

ArtBeat performance (Boston)
2026-07-18 08:00 - 16:00 | Somerville, MA
Kate Spanos will perform a new Irish dance piece with Rebecca McGowan Dance at ArtBeat in Somerville, MA.
About the event:
Let’s get revved up! In honor of the American Revolution’s 250th anniversary, this year’s ArtBeat theme will be REVolution. Think of it as an artistic prompt. Let’s celebrate the powerful spirit of transformation and explore the spark that challenges the status quo. We encourage our creative community to interpret this theme in myriad ways – perhaps by exploring celestial revolutions of the planets or artistic revolutions that have changed the course of art history. Whether it’s the physical turning of a potter’s wheel, a punk rock revolt, or the rhythmic cycles of nature, REVolution is not just a commemoration of the past, but a spirit that propels us forward.
The Somerville Arts Council’s annual multicultural arts festival showcases the City’s diverse and vibrant arts communities and attracts ten thousand visitors to Davis Square. Presented by the Somerville Arts Council (SAC) and Mayor Jake Wilson, ArtBeat has reached its 40th year and features an eclectic mix of music, dance, theater, food, performance, and interactive activities.

Irish Step-Dabke Fusion Dance Workshop
2026-07-12 13:00 - 15:00 | Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, College Park, MD, 20742, United States
Helena Khazdozian presents a workshop for dancers to learn a choreography created through a solidarity project that explores the fusion of Irish step and Dabke (Palestianian folk dance). Workshop attendees will be encouraged to join the celebration. Irish step dancers should bring hard shoes or dance sneakers. Intermediate to advanced dance experience required.
A $5 donation is suggested to cover the space.
This workshop is co-sponsored by Kate Spanos Irish Dance and EducArte.
