Two 8 week Irish Ensemble Classes will be offered starting March, 2026!
New Location - Music by Tritone - 4343 Shallowford Rd, #110, Marietta, GA 30062
New 8 Week Class Description
Class Description: Irish ensemble music is a vibrant instrumental tradition based on energetic dance tunes like reels (4/4), jigs (6/8) and hornpipes. Characterized by a strong, shared melody, ensembles typically feature fiddles, pipes, flutes, whistles, and accordion, sometimes with a bodhrán (drum) or guitar for rhythm.
Ensemble can take the form of a Céilí Band or Grupa Cheoil, offering a wide variety of musicians with varying instruments to participate. The classes are intended for musicians that have command of their instrument (age approriate) and want to play in a group setting with other musicians.
Sarah & Kira will teach Irish tunes in the traditional way and provide tune sheets for students to practice. At the conclusion of the 8 weeks, students will be invited to participate in the Phoenix School of Irish Arts recital.
Ensemble Class for 2nd thru 5th Grade with Sarah Ling
Sarah Ling studied Music Education at the Hugh Hodgson School of Music at UGA. Sarah has qualified for the World All-Ireland in fiddle and duets for many years. She is currently certified in Suzuki training, performs in the ARCO Chamber Orchestra and Phoenix Céilí Band, and teaches elementary music, fiddle, concertina, and beginning whistle with both Music of Tritone and Phoenix School of Irish Arts.
Elementary Ensemble with Sarah Ling
Class Schedule: Mondays, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
March 23, 30
April 13, 20, 27
May 4, 11, 18
Price: $200 for the 8 weeks
Location: Music by Tritone - 4343 Shallowford Rd, #110, Marietta, GA 30062
*minimum class size is 4 students
**Students are eligible to take a dance class for free as an add-on. Taught only on Sat/Sunday at Oglethorpe Presbyterian, see class schedule.
Ensemble Class for 6th grade thru High School with Kira Doppel
Kira Doppel is a first-generation American and a third-year journalism student at the University of Georgia, where she is on track to graduate in Spring 2027 with certificates in News Media Literacy and Sports Media. Kira is a 7 time World Qualifier in Irish fiddle and competed in the prestigious Fiddler of London. She also qualified for Worlds in both ceili band drums and sean-nós dance. She teaches Irish fiddle, drums and directs the ensemble program for Phoenix.
Middle/High School Ensemble with Kira Doppel
Class Schedule: Thursday, 6:45pm - 7:45pm
March 26,
April 2, 16, 23, 30
May 7, 14, 21,
Price: $200 for the 8 weeks
Location: Music by Tritone - 4343 Shallowford Rd, #110, Marietta, GA 30062
*minimum class size is 4 students
**Students are eligible to take a dance class for free as an add-on. Taught only on Sat/Sunday at Oglethorpe Presbyterian, see class schedule.
Group Music and Dance Classes
Taught at Oglethorpe Presbyterian
Sean-nós & Set Dance WORKSHOPS with Sharleen Doyle
All workshop weekends are included in Group Class fees!
Sharleen grew up in the Mourne mountains and learned her dancing there from the age of 4 and by 11 she had her first All- Ireland in set dancing. Sharleen then discovered Sean Nós dancing and travelled to workshops all around the country improving and learning new steps. Sharleen had the advantage of having an excellent teacher and went to Kathleen Mc Glynn for lessons in her kitchen in Co. Louth. Sean Nós surged and competitions started to take place all-over the country.
Sharleen received her 3rd All-Ireland title in 2012 at the All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann in Cavan and went on to start her own dance school in Moate. Sharleen’s passion is good music, good dancing and preservation of the Irish old style dance tradition.
GROUP MUSIC & DANCE CLASSES
(See Schedule for dates/times)
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Youth Sean-nós Dance, Whistle & Song
Instructor: Sharleen, Teresa, Kira, Nina
60 minute class
A fun way to start learning more about Irish culture for our youngest! Generally a class with 4 - 7 year olds. We will start by learning old style Sean-nós dance and bit of Whistle & Song to complete the experience. We will divide the class by ability as we grow with new students! Parents will be encouraged to practice with students between lessons or schedule a private lesson to bridge until next class. Practice video will be online.
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Sean-nós Irish dance - Beginner
Instructor: Sharleen, Teresa
60 minutes
This class will support beginners of Sean Nós dance for ALL ages (under 10 may be encouraged to take the Youth class; prior step dancers may start with intermediate). Wear some street shoes (hard sole versus tennis shoes, no taps please) and bring water!
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Music Ensemble - Beginner
Instructor: Kira
60 minute class
This class is for all ages. Musicians who have some basic proficiency at their instrument and want to become more comfortable playing in Irish music sessions or participating in performances. Students will learn on how to build a strong repertoire of session & ceili band tunes while strengthening one’s own musicianship. This class is geared towards learning melody, not accompaniment, and learning the music "by ear”.
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Music Ensemble - Intermediate/Advanced
Instructor: Kira
75 Minute Class
A class for musicians that are interested in learning traditional Irish music and performing and or competing with the Phoenix School! Students will learn how to work as a team to meet goals, leadership and performance skills as well as have a lot of fun with music! The class is intended for those that have command of their instrument but can be new to Irish music. Private lessons are encouraged as a supplement to this class.
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Sean-nós Irish Dance - Intermediate
Instructor: Sharleen, Teresa
60 minutes
This class is for dancers who have previously taken the Beginner class and are ready for more advanced rhythms. Dancers who have taken Irish step dance, this class may be a good starting point. Wear some street shoes (hard sole versus tennis shoes, no taps please) and bring water!
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Sean-nós Irish Dance - Advanced
Instructor: Sharleen, Teresa
60 minutes
This class is for dancers who are are experienced sean-nós dancers who are interested in competition and advanced performance. Students need to be able to learn rhythms at a good pace and are dedicated to practice. Sharleen will give the steps and Teresa will supervise the practice lessons in between.
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Set Dance Class - All Ages
Instructor: Sharleen, Teresa
60 minute Class
“Sets” are danced by eight people in a formation similar to that of American square dancing. Students will learn or review the valuable foundations for Irish set dancing: how to find the groove of the dance, participate in the figure, and punctuate that groove with moments of battering, using their feet as percussion instruments. Dance partner not required. Bring comfortable, slip soled shoes (No taps or hard Irish dance shoes please.) Beginner Sean Nós Dance class is recommended as a compliment but not required.