WELCOME to Sean-nósOnline.com, a portal for online instruction in sean-nós dancing!

I am an American dancer who fell head-over-heels in love with the style in the early 2000s. I had to travel back and forth to Ireland to find dancers generous enough to instruct me. My lessons varied: 4 hour tea, walks on the land, dancing at céilís, workshops at festivals, and attending small competitions.

I was incredibly lucky to have these experiences, and credit the quality of my dancing with the time I was forced to take to understand what it means to learn from a community. As a supporter of the Connemara dance community, and a cultural tourist, I understand the importance of learning an oral traditional such as this one through human-to-human connection and cultural absorption. But I can also sympathize with those students that fall in love with the style but simply can’t get to Connemara as often as they would like, or at all. I can understand those that love Irish music, and want to express that love through their feet and bodies in a meaningful, traditional manner.

It is my aim to use this portal to develop conscientious dancers and instructors. To help dancers strengthen their cultural understanding and their percussive skills so that when they do have an opportunity to study with a master from Ireland, they can make the most of that time. To help teachers who hope to create a culture in their classroom that supports this beautiful style. I hope to help appreciators expand their understanding of the art form as a percussive dance and cultural practice.

I am super excited to work with you!

Best,

Shannon Dunne