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Instructor: Mairi Rankin
All Levels; Fiddle
This workshop sends you home with a new reel to play. Mairi will offer insight to the driving force behind the Cape Breton reel as well as specific reel techniques that give this style of tune its infectious energy.
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Instructor: Mairi Rankin OR Wendy MacIsaac
All Levels; Fiddle
While the jig style is ubiquitous across many genres, the Cape Breton jig stands out with its particularly Cape Breton touches. Learn from one of two of Cape Breton’s finest teachers. This class is so nice, we are listing it twice!
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Instructor: Wendy MacIsaac
All Levels; All Instruments/Fiddle
Wendy comes from the land of the ceilidh, where dances are plentiful. Her insight into how playing for a dance differs from playing in other scenarios is steeped in experience. Learn the nuances involved in communicating with the dance caller, as well as reading the room for the type of dancers present. Consider the art of the dance set list, and how to prepare for the unexpected. Playing for dances is high energy, infectious fun!
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Instructor: Wendy MacIsaac
All Levels; All Instruments
What elements are considered when putting tunes together to make a compelling set? Discover the crossroad at the science and art of this endeavor. Some artists approach this from a purely musical theory point of view, others group like styles together (all reels for example) still others will select tunes by their titles, to tell a story that way. In both Scottish and Cape Breton traditions there is the MSR formula, for a march, strathspey, reel combination. Learn how a seasoned recording and performing professional has approached this lingering question, and bring your own tunes to play with and contemplate.
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Instructor: Wendy MacIsaac OR Mairi Rankin
All Levels; Fiddle
We are offering this class at two different times, with two different masters of the style. Maybe you just learned a strathspey (see Learn a Strathspey with Wendy MacIsaac) or you already have a few-or a lot!- in your repertoire. This class will focus on refining the specifics of this style that make it truly unique. Strathspeys are known for their complex timing along with ornamentations (the Scottish snap for one) that give this style of tune a unique feel. Learn how to harness these techniques from some of the most admired fiddlers from Cape Breton and elevate your own strathspey playing.
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Instructor: Wendy MacIsaac
All Levels; Fiddle
Strathspey is unique to the Cape Breton and Scottish repertoire. Wendy will teach a tune in this unique style, adding particular Cape Breton embellishments.
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Instructor: Mac Morin
The Cape Breton piano accompaniment style has become an inseparable sound to the traditional music of the island. This class is to point out some major aspects of the style with some examples of how it has evolved over the last 50 years. Participants will be able to learn the Cape Breton approach of accompaniment to a small medley of tunes.
*Participants should plan to bring their own keyboard to the event. There is a secure room to keep it in over the weekend if you choose.
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Instructor: Mac Morin, Wendy MacIsaac, Mairi Rankin
All Levels; Dancing
Wendy, Mairi, and Mac are all accomplished step dancers. In Cape Breton it is common for people to learn steps as children and they are often interwoven with many other parts of the ceilidh culture. This dynamic team will take the pulse of the room and move forward to accommodate the group present. Basic steps will form the basis of this class and embellishments will branch out. Steps may include strathspey steps and reel steps. Last year routines were developed and in some classes live music was part of the fun.
Check our schedule matrix to see which classes each instructor is teaching.
Bring soft soled (not tap) dance shoes if you like. A water bottle will be welcomed, as well as layered clothing–you will break a sweat!
By
Instructor: Wendy MacIsaac
You will learn how to make steps sound percussive to match the tunes and then apply them to the Inverness Square set you will also learn. You’ll leave being able to attend the next dance in Cape Breton with confidence!
