Music Schools
Slow Session participants at 2008 Lake School Concert (Click to enlarge)
The Lake School of Irish music, song and dance is for beginners to advanced players. It is held in Koriot, Victoria during the first week of the new year. It provides an intensive week long program in a variety of instruments and there are plenty of opportunities to join a session. There is also singing, songwriting and a kids programs available. For more information download a brochure by clicking PDF or look at their website: www.bushwahzee.com
Music under the Mountains will be held at Campaspe Downs (near Trentham), Victoria in January 20 - 25, 2008. This Celtic music school has been held for many years in Tasmania, but moved to the mainland in 2007. It offers very high quality classes in a variety of instruments. For more information look at their website: http://www.celt.com.au/summer.html
Celtic Music Teachers
We have listed Celtic/Irish music instrument teachers that have been recommended by our slow session players. Most of them take students from the greater Melbourne area. If you would like to recommend additional teachers, especially for other instruments, please send us an email with their details.
Fiddle
Sean Kenan: Teaches traditional Irish music and also does fiddle group meetings. He has published 'Fancy Yourself Fiddling' which includes a CD. For additional information about Sean look at his website: http://www.seankenan.com/
Colin MacLeod: Was born and raised in Scotland and teaches traditional Scottish and Irish music. He regulary appears at festivals around Australia and New Zealand. In 2006, he recorded along with Rory Sinclair the critically acclaimed CD entitled Roaming Free. Check his website for more information about when and where his next worksh0p or performance will be held. http://www.roamingfree.com.au
Peter O'Shea: Teaches classical, Australian and traditional Irish music. He was the recipient of the 2004 Golden Fiddle award for teaching fiddle. He is located in Parkdale and can be reached by phone at 9580 3364 or 0409193004.
Nicki Kramer will be conducting group fiddle lessons on Wednesday nights from 7:30-8:30 at 
St Phillips Church Hall, 150 Hoddle St. Comhalthas asks for a $5 donation to help cover their expenses.
Nicki
completed teacher training and spent several
years teaching violin in schools and at her home studio. Her journey,
which
began when she was eighteen at the Willie Clancy Festival in Ireland,
continues today with her enthusiasm for, dedication to, and her desire
to teach
and learn more in the great tradition of the Irish fiddle. Nicki is
can always be found playing at the Corkman or around town with Paddy
Fitzgerald.
Guitar/banjo/mandolin
Tony O'Rourke: Teaches traditional Irish music and in addition, he also teaches bluegrass guitar and bluegrass mandolin. Students can phone him on 9484 8876, or contact him via email at aorourke@rabbit.com.au Check out Gerry Gaffney and Tony's new Irish Guitar Podcast for learning to play the Irish guitar. Just click on Podcast to go directly to the site.
Harp
Cath Connelly: Is a wonderful celtic harp player and experienced teacher. For additional information look at her website: http://cathy.com.au. You can reach her by phone at 0402 331 906 or email: cathy@cathy.com.au
Whistle
Noel McGann: Teaches a Tin whistle class for beginners and intermediate players for the Melbourne Comhaltas. Wednesday: 8 - 10:00 pm. St Phillips Church Hall, 150 Hoddle St. More info contact Noel at mcgrann@optusnet.com.au or on his mobile 0408 887 320.