Button Accordion In this class you will learn fingering techniques, bellows control, rhythm & phrasing and how to play stress-free with your accordion. You will learn to understand better how the accordion works with your physiology and how to relax so you can bring out the best in your playing. Read more…
We’re glad to have Portal alumni, John Whelan returning in 2020 to teach button accordion! Born in London, in his youth John was blessed to play with some of great names in an older generation of players, such as Lucy Farr, Brian Rooney and Bobby Casey, to name but a Read more…
We couldn’t be more excited to have John Whelan joining us in Portal this year! Accordion players now have a reason to come too! More info about John here
We’re pleased to once again offer an element of Irish dance! This will be an evening class each day (except Saturday) with the return of husband and wife team, Brian & Mary Lanni! Portal students and local residents will both be welcome at the class. The music and the dance Read more…
Beginner FiddleThis course will focus on developing good habits that can accelerate your progress as a fiddler. We will work on strategies for tune-learning, and playing with good tempo, intonation and phrasing. Techniques that lead to comfortable playing and a lyrical Irish style will be emphasized. ConcertinaThis workshop will be Read more…
Fiddler and concertinist Colin Lindsay was introduced to Irish music as a child growing up in New York, where he had the good fortune to learn from the renowned fiddler (and Portal Irish Week tutor) Brian Conway, attend many festivals and concerts, and win the Mid Atlantic Fleadh in every Read more…