Kate Spanos Irish Dance

Sean nós dance class
2026-03-25 18:30 - 19:30, 2026-04-01 18:30 - 19:30, 2026-04-08 18:30 - 19:30, 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 UTC and 2 more dates | 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
2026-03-25 19:30 - 21:00, 2026-04-01 19:30 - 21:00, 2026-04-08 19:30 - 21:00, 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 UTC and 2 more dates | 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

Emerald Isle Club Céilí
2026-04-04 18:00 - 22:00 (America/New_York) | Promenado Dance Studio, 2605 Lord Baltimore Dr, Windsor Mill, MD, 21244, United States
Kate Spanos will call the Emerald Isle Club céilí on Saturday, April 4. Details can be found on the Emerald Isle Club website.

Monthly sean nós dance jam
2026-04-12 13:00 - 14:15, 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

Southern Maryland Celtic Festival
2026-04-25 15:00 - 16:00 UTC | Jefferson Patterson Park, 10515 Mackall Road, St. Leonard, MD, 20685, United States
Kate Spanos Irish Dance will perform at the 2025 Southern Maryland Celtic Festival on the Pavilion Dance Stage from 3-4 p.m. They will perform a mix of old style / sean nós dance, feis and festival style step dance, and country set dancing.
About the festival:
On the banks of the Patuxent River at Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum, in beautiful Southern Maryland, you will find, on a cheery Saturday in late April, the sound of the bagpipes calling you home. Whether it be the music, food, dance, or other Celtic attractions, there is something for everyone. Come celebrate the spirit of the 7 Celtic Nations in the 47th Annual Celtic Festival on April 25th!
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Enjoy the sounds of internationally known Celtic Bands performing on multiple entertainment stages throughout the grounds, offering continuous music, dance, and jam sessions throughout the day! Check out Clan Row, where more than 50 clans and societies have information to share with you about your Celtic heritage! Watch Scottish/Irish country dance performances, listen to harp and Scottish fiddling, all while storytellers weave tales alongside historical displays, craft demonstrations, and living history reenactments. Stop by the Celtic Marketplace for a wide selection of traditional and non-traditional Celtic foods and gifts, providing an old-world atmosphere. Be sure to check out the Celtic Kids’ Activities and the all-day competitions taking place throughout the Park, including Pipers, Drummers, Pipe Bands, Highland Dancers, Highland Athletics, and Rugby games!

Carroll County Celtic Festival
2026-06-13, 2026-06-14 | Carroll County Agriculture Center, 706 Agriculture Drive, Westminster, MD, 21157, United States
Kate Spanos Irish Dance will perform at Carroll County Celtic Festival on Saturday, June 13, and Sunday, June 14. Kate will also teach beginner sean nós workshops for kids on Saturday and Sunday.
Schedule:

Saturday, June 13, 12-12:45 p.m. – Kids sean nós dance workshop
Saturday, June 13, 3-3:30 p.m. – Performance #1
Sunday, June 14, 11:15 – 12 p.m. – Performance #2
Sunday, June 14, 1-1:45 p.m. – Kids sean nós dance workshop

Workshops at Dance Educators Training Institute (DETI)
2026-06-29 09:00 - 17:30, 2026-06-30 09:00 - 17:30 (America/New_York) | Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) at Catonsville, 800 S Rolling Rd, Catonsville, MD, 21228, United States
Kate Spanos will teach Brazilian and Irish dance workshops at the 2026 Dance Educators Training Institute (DETI), hosted by ClancyWorks, in Catonsville, MD. She will also lead a workshop for dance educators on dances of resistance and cultural dance pedagogies.
About DETI:
Looking for skills and tools to use as a teaching artist? DETI 2026 is two days of dance, conversations, self-care & community. The 20th annual Dance Educators Training Institute (DETI) will be June 29-30, offered by ClancyWorks in partnership with Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS) and Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC). This event introduces dances of resistance: capoeira, samba, frevo, and Irish dance. The two-day workshops will offer culturally responsive teaching, touch upon history and ritualistic wellness, focus on mindfulness and self-care practices, and, of course, keep you moving.

CCÉ MAD Weekend céilí
2026-07-24 19:00 - 22:00 (America/New_York) | 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.
