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Irish Arts Center

Irish Arts Center is a New York-based arts and cultural center that showcases Irish and Irish-American art through performance, exhibition, and education. Founded in 1972, the center preserves Irish culture and serves as a platform for emerging and established artists to reach a global audience.

Irish Arts Center

Upcoming Classes at Irish Arts Center

  • Mandolin I: Beginners

    Discover the enchanting world of the mandolin in this introductory course, where you'll learn the fundamentals while exploring its diverse musical applications. From Irish melodies to bluegrass, folk, and jazz, unlock the potential of this versatile instrument under expert guidance. Join us as we embark on a musical journey filled with creativity and exploration.

    Next start date: Wednesday, Apr 17th, 6–7pm Eastern Time
    Price: $204
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  • U for You: Joyce's Ulysses for New Readers (and Re-Readers)

    Dive into Joyce's Ulysses with renowned scholar Jonathan Goldman, unraveling its complexities and discovering its humor and humanity. Whether you're a seasoned reader or new to Joyce's work, this immersive experience promises to enhance your understanding and appreciation of this literary masterpiece.

    Next start date: Wednesday, Apr 17th, 4–5:30pm Eastern Time
    Price: $456
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  • Bodhrán I: Introduction

    Explore the rhythmic heartbeat of Irish music as you embark on your bodhrán journey, mastering essential techniques and etiquette for traditional sessions. Led by seasoned instructors, this introductory course invites enthusiasts of all levels to immerse themselves in the vibrant world of Irish drumming, cultivating a deep appreciation for its rich cultural heritage.

    Next start date: Tuesday, Apr 16th, 7–8pm Eastern Time
    Price: $204
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  • Mandolin II: Advanced Beginners

    Deepen your mandolin skills in this advanced beginner class, perfect for those with prior experience or who have completed level I. Explore the nuances of Irish music while expanding your repertoire across various genres like bluegrass, folk, and jazz. Join us as we continue your musical journey with expert instruction and hands-on practice.

    Next start date: Wednesday, Apr 17th, 7–8pm Eastern Time
    Price: $234
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  • Fiddle II: Beginners

    Continue your fiddle journey with confidence in this beginner-level class, designed for those who have completed Fiddle I or have limited musical experience. With a focus on building fundamental skills and fostering confidence, you'll receive expert guidance to further develop your technique and musicality. Join us as we embark on the next chapter of your musical exploration together.

    Next start date: Monday, Apr 22nd, 6–7pm Eastern Time
    Price: $234
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  • Fiddle V: Intermediate

    Refine your fiddle skills to an intermediate level, exploring a diverse range of tunes and honing essential techniques for seamless performance in sessions. With a focus on ornamentation, fingering, and bowing strategies, you'll enhance your efficiency, fluidity, and confidence on the instrument. Join us as we expand your repertoire and prepare you to join musical gatherings with skill and ease.

    Next start date: Tuesday, Apr 16th, 7:30–8:30pm Eastern Time
    Price: $234
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  • Celtic Harp III: Mixed Level

    Join a vibrant community of Celtic harp enthusiasts in this mixed-level class, where students of all abilities come together to refine technique, develop personalized arrangements, and enjoy the art of group performance. Whether you're a seasoned player or just beginning your musical journey, this course offers a supportive environment for honing your skills and exploring the boundless possibilities of the Celtic harp.

    Next start date: Monday, Apr 15th, 6–7pm Eastern Time
    Price: $234
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  • Celtic Harp I: Introduction

    Embark on a melodic journey with the enchanting Celtic harp, tailored for beginners seeking to explore its timeless beauty. Dive into the fundamentals of hand positioning and chord patterns, gradually unraveling the intricacies of melody and harmony. Under expert guidance, discover the joy of bringing traditional tunes to life on this iconic instrument.

    Next start date: Monday, Apr 15th, 7–8pm Eastern Time
    Price: $204
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  • Tin Whistle II: Advanced Beginners

    Advance your tin whistle journey in this class tailored for advanced beginners, honing essential techniques and expanding your repertoire with traditional tunes. With a focus on breathing, tonguing, and playing across octaves, you'll strengthen your listening skills and master tunes by ear. Join us as we delve deeper into the rich tradition of tin whistle music with expert guidance and dedicated practice.

    Next start date: Monday, Apr 15th, 7–8pm Eastern Time
    Price: $234
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  • Celtic Harp II: Advanced Beginners

    Elevate your Celtic harp journey in this advanced beginner course, tailored for students familiar with basic tunes and chord additions. Delve deeper into tune variations and expanded chord progressions, refining your repertoire and musical vocabulary with expert guidance. Through a blend of traditional methods and innovative practices, deepen your connection to the rich heritage of Celtic music.

    Next start date: Monday, Apr 15th, 8–9pm Eastern Time
    Price: $234
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  • Introduction to Irish Dance

    Discover the vibrant world of Irish dance in this welcoming beginner course, where you'll learn both hard and soft shoe styles. From mastering form and rhythm to progressing through basic patterns and traditional steps, immerse yourself in the rich tradition of Irish dance. Join us for a supportive and friendly environment, where sneakers are all you need to take your first steps on this exhilarating journey.

    Next start date: Tuesday, Apr 16th, 7:30–8:30pm Eastern Time
    Price: $204
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  • Bodhrán II: Advanced Beginners

    Refine your bodhrán skills to the next level in this advanced beginner course, where you'll delve deeper into techniques essential for enriching traditional melodies. Perfect for those comfortable with reel and jig rhythms, this course offers a comprehensive exploration of sound production, elevating your musical prowess within the vibrant world of Irish percussion.

    Next start date: Tuesday, Apr 16th, 8–9pm Eastern Time
    Price: $234
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  • Learning Tunes by Ear I: Beginners

    Deepen your ability to learn tunes by ear in this beginner-level course, building upon foundational strategies and exploring advanced concepts like time signatures and key changes. Through preparatory listening exercises and hands-on analysis of tune construction, enhance your aural comprehension for faster learning. Join us and unlock the secrets to mastering tunes by ear on any instrument with expert guidance and practical exercises.

    Next start date: Thursday, Apr 18th, 6–7pm Eastern Time
    Price: $204
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  • Guitar I: Introduction

    Embark on your guitar journey with this introductory class, where you'll master basic chords, develop proper technique, and learn essential skills like tuning and using a capo. From pop to traditional Irish music, explore versatile chord progressions to elevate your playing in various contexts. Join us as we lay the foundation for your musical exploration with expert instruction and hands-on learning.

    Next start date: Thursday, Apr 18th, 6–7pm Eastern Time
    Price: $204
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  • Fiddle Ornamentation, Bowing, and Variations

    Enhance your fiddle skills with a comprehensive exploration of ornamentation, bowing techniques, and musical variations. Dive into rolls, triplets, double-stops, and more while mastering fundamental rules across different tune types. With guidance from expert instructors and a focus on ear-based learning, unlock new levels of proficiency and creativity in your fiddle playing.

    Next start date: Thursday, Apr 18th, 6:30–7:30pm Eastern Time
    Price: $234
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  • Introduction to Music Theory

    Unlock the secrets of music theory in this introductory course designed for those interested in Irish traditional music. Whether you're a complete beginner or looking to deepen your understanding, explore modes, scales, and rhythmic patterns essential for mastering Irish tunes. With a balanced approach to ear training and notation, gain the tools to learn tunes faster, arrange songs, and improvise with confidence.

    Next start date: Thursday, Apr 18th, 7–8pm Eastern Time
    Price: $204
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  • Fiddle III: Advanced Beginners

    Advance your fiddle skills in this class tailored for advanced beginners, focusing on technique and mastering common melodies, polkas, and jigs. With teaching by ear and sheet music provided, you'll hone your musical abilities and expand your repertoire under expert guidance. Join us as we continue your journey toward fiddle mastery.

    Next start date: Tuesday, Apr 23rd, 8–9pm Eastern Time
    Price: $234
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  • Guitar II: Accompaniment for Traditional Irish Music

    Elevate your guitar skills in this specialized class, focusing on accompanying traditional Irish tunes in session settings. Explore strumming patterns, chord shapes, and melody playing techniques while learning to identify appropriate chords by ear. Whether you're a Guitar I graduate or have basic guitar knowledge, join us as we delve into the rich tradition of Irish music with expert guidance and hands-on practice.

    Next start date: Thursday, Apr 18th, 7–8pm Eastern Time
    Price: $234
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  • Fiddle IV: Early Intermediate

    Elevate your fiddle journey in this early intermediate class, where you'll expand your repertoire and delve into musicality and theory. Perfect for those with prior experience or who have completed Fiddle III, you'll learn essential skills for participating in sessions and crafting dynamic sets. With teaching by ear and sheet music provided, join us as we deepen your musical understanding and enhance your fiddle prowess.

    Next start date: Monday, Apr 22nd, 7–8pm Eastern Time
    Price: $234
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  • Fiddle VI: Advanced

    Take your fiddle skills to the next level in this advanced class, focusing on mastering a variety of tunes and enhancing your ornamentation, style, and musicianship. Geared towards students with prior experience, you'll delve into improvisation, harmony, and advanced techniques under expert guidance. Join us as we push the boundaries of your fiddle artistry and unlock new levels of musical expression.

    Next start date: Monday, Apr 22nd, 8–9pm Eastern Time
    Price: $234
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553 W 51st St, New York, NY 10019
Irish Arts Center
Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan
553 W 51st St
Btwn 10th & 11th Avenues
New York, New York 10019

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Description

Founded in 1972, Irish Arts Center is a New York-based arts and cultural center dedicated to projecting a dynamic image of Ireland and Irish America for the 21st century, building community with audiences of all backgrounds, and preserving the stories and traditions of Irish culture for generations to come.

Our multi-disciplinary programming is centered around three core areas:

  • Performance – including live music, dance, theatre, film, literature, and the humanities.
  • Exhibition – including visual arts presentations and cultural exhibitions that tell the evolving Irish story.
  • Education – with dozens of classes per week in Irish language, history, music, and dance.

Located in New York City, a global capital of arts and culture, Irish Arts Center serves as a dynamic platform for top emerging and established artists and cultural creators to reach a New York, national, and global audience, and as a gateway for other institutions to access first-rate Irish and Irish American culture.


Reviews of Irish Arts Center

(4.5-star rating across 51 reviews)
  • Fiddle I: Absolute Beginners

    Reviewed by William C. on 11/26/2019
    The IAC has a great staff and support structure - and James was a fantastic teacher. Excited to take up Fiddle II!
  • Mandolin I: Beginners

    Reviewed by Jessica B. on 11/15/2019
    Ben was amazing, very nice and patient teacher, he got us playing and was always encouraging and upbeat! We learned three songs, amazing! Can’t wait to sign up with him again!
  • Irish Language I: Introduction

    Reviewed by Ralph S. on 6/11/2019
    I like the sound of Irish. The thing I enjoyed most about the class was hearing a native speaker. The teacher introduced the Ranganna site, and I think this approach is the best for me. Seems that a real problem for me learning the language is that the spoken language is not immediately evident from the written. A good example is the phase, "thank you." The teacher captured my interest in learning Irish, and I'll stick with it. Not as an obsession, but as something interesting to do.
  • Celtic Harp I: Introduction

    Anonymous review on 6/6/2019
    Unfortunately one of the only affordable introductory harp classes available in NYC. You get what you pay for, which isn't much. Mia plays well and you can tell she has trained for years, however she is not a good teacher at all. She does not explain things well and admits to copying techniques from other teachers. She spends most of the class talking about herself/her life, events she has played and parties she attended with other harpists. She does not give you enough time to practice in class so you can remember when you get home. She just has you take a video of her playing it and says to learn it on your own at home. OR! She recommends watching random youtube videos to learn, which I could have done without paying for the wasted travel time. If you actually want to learn, pay more for another class with absolutely ANYONE else.
  • Irish Language II: Beginners

    Reviewed by Daniel D. on 3/27/2019
    Great exposure to the language. It would be better if the teachers took charge of the class more actively and did more directed drills, especially on orthography and pronunciation which were difficult for all the students.
  • Creative Writing

    Anonymous review on 3/13/2019
    Yvonne is great, and really helped me stay motivated with my writing!
  • Creative Writing

    Anonymous review on 3/7/2019
    Yvonne is a great writer instructor! I learned a lot and really enjoyed the course!
  • Celtic Harp I: Introduction

    Anonymous review on 6/14/2018
    By the end of the class, we were able to play all three sections of a song that sounded very impressive. Mia helped break it down into easy to understand parts. I'd happily recommend this class to all! Though I will mentioned that it might be more challenging for people who haven't ever taken a music class before.
  • Fiddle I: Absolute Beginners

    Reviewed by Goncagul A. on 6/12/2018
    James was great in introducing fiddler! Will definitely continue... totally recommend it!
  • Bagpipes: Traditional Irish Music on the Piob Mhor

    Reviewed by Co B. on 4/23/2018
    What a wonderful group of people. I love the instructor and the material - both were top knotch and oozing with authenticity and joy. A pleasure!
  • Introduction to Irish Genealogy with Bridget Bray

    Anonymous review on 4/23/2018
    I loved this class, I want more from Bridget!
  • Creative Writing

    Anonymous review on 9/18/2017
    Loved this cozy, hands-on class. The instructor, Yvonne, is knowledgeable and encouraging and provided useful frameworks for thinking about dialogue, conflict, plot and more. The students, many of whom were part of her prior class, were also a pleasure to write with and listen to!
  • Songwriting and Music Production

    Reviewed by OLUREMI Y. on 5/19/2017
    John was realllly great and hilarious tutor with good quality material.
  • Creative Writing

    Reviewed by Alyssa A. on 11/24/2016
    It was very constructive.
  • Creative Writing

    Reviewed by Madeleine G. on 11/17/2016
    A terrific teacher and a wonderful class of students. I had not been in a writing class for several decades. Yvonne really knows how to teach the craft. I will continue studying with Yvonne.
  • Step Dance I: Beginners

    Anonymous review on 6/2/2016
    Fun and casual. Loved it!
  • Bodhrán I: Introduction

    Anonymous review on 6/1/2016
    I thought it was okay - the teacher doesn't really "teach", I think she is a good bodhran player but not much of a teacher - we mostly just listen to a piece and practice. She does not really instruct individually. Not bad, but I was expecting something more. Still, recommended.
  • Irish Language IV: Intermediate

    Anonymous review on 3/18/2016
    I learned more in this class, with Barry teaching, than in all the other Irish classes I've taken. Thank you, Barry!
  • Fiddle I: Absolute Beginners

    Reviewed by Ellen Z. on 11/11/2015
    The class was good and the instructor very nice. For absolute beginners I felt he rushed a little bit I was injured and couldn't complete the course and missed some so I'm not really one to judge. I did like he sent out instructive videos which helped so one could practise I would recommend it.
  • Irish Language IV: Intermediate

    Reviewed by Deirdre K. on 11/10/2015
    Jerry Kelly is great, as he can help with any problem you're having. He did plenty of grammar, spelling, dialogue, sentence structure & history of the words & language. Wonderful teacher......
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Review Summary by CourseHorse

Students at the Irish Arts Center had positive experiences and felt that they learned a lot from their instructors. For example, one student mentioned that they learned three songs and were excited to continue learning with the same teacher. Another student enjoyed hearing a native speaker in their class and found that the approach of using the Ranganna site was effective for their learning. In general, students appreciated when instructors took charge of the class more actively and provided directed drills for difficult aspects like orthography and pronunciation. Students also valued instructors who kept them motivated and provided useful frameworks for their learning. Some students highly recommended their classes and praised their instructors for their knowledge and teaching skills. Quotes: 1. "The thing I enjoyed most about the class was hearing a native speaker. The teacher introduced the Ranganna site, and I think this approach is the best for me." 2. "By the end of the class, we were able to play all three sections of a song that sounded very impressive. Mia helped break it down into easy-to-understand parts." 3. "I learned more in this class, with Barry teaching, than in all the other Irish classes I've taken. Thank you, Barry!"

Teachers at Irish Arts Center

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