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Music School > Irish Music Department
 Irish Traditional & Folk
In response to a growing interest in the Irish traditional music style, we are pleased to offer private lessons, group classes and ensembles for ages 6 through adult, including our popular Sessions on the Hill.
New offerings added upon demand.
Our faculty is comprised of renowned musicians from the region’s Irish traditional music scene: fiddler Laurel Martin, vocalist Liz Simmons, and our newest member, Matt Heaton, who offers instruction on bodhran, mandolin, guitar, and more. Complete details below.
Scholarships are available for all Indian Hill programs.
Meet the Faculty
 Laurel Martin: fiddle
Laurel learned her music from Master Fiddler Seamus Connolly, a highly respected musician from County Clare. She is director of the Fiddleheads traditional Celtic music ensemble at Wellesley College, and leads workshops in the U.S. and abroad. She is also on the faculty of the Boston College Irish Studies program. Laurel performs throughout New England, and has appeared on several recordings, including Childsplay’s CDs ‘Live’ and ‘Heaven and Earth.’ Her first solo recording, ‘The Groves,’ was released in 2006.
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 Elizabeth Simmons: voice
Liz is a traditional and contemporary folk singer on the Boston Irish and acoustic music scene. She has a strong background in Irish traditional singing, and was taught by internationally renowned Irish singer Karan Casey. She performs regularly with Irish accordionist John Whelan, Annalivia (with Flynn Cohen), and Long Time Courting. Liz grew up listening to her mother sing traditional songs, and although she spent her teen years studying classical voice, she has since chosen to devote her teaching and performing career to folk music.
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 Matt Heaton: bodhran, guitar; Irish style mandolin, bouzouki & tenor banjo
Matt studied classical guitar at Northwestern University (MMus) and in Italy. He played
rock in Chicago, tango in Denver, and has made his musical home in Boston’s vibrant Irish music scene. What began as an obsession with an unlabeled cassette tape (which later
turned out to be 'The Planxty Collection') and a courtship with a young Irish flute player
named Shannon, has led to an active Irish music performance career as well as teaching.
In addition to his duo work with wife Shannon, he is highly sought after as accompanist,
and has performed with traditional luminaries Aoife Clancy, Robbie O’Connell, Emily Smith,
and the Boys of the Lough.
PRIVATE LESSONS
 Fiddle
Bodhrán (Irish frame drum)
Singing (Irish and folk)
Irish Style Guitar, Mandolin, Bouzouki, Tenor Banjo
CLASSES AND ENSEMBLES
Traditional Irish Bodhran Class
Thursday, 6:30-7:30 pm
15 weeks starting February 9
$300 per semester
Instructor: Matt Heaton
One of Ireland's oldest and most traditional musical instruments, the Bodhrán drum is at the core of all Irish music experience. Technique and style, rhythm study, understanding different tune types (jigs, reels, hornpipes, etc.),
group playing and accompaniment are the core of this course.
Traditional Folk/Irish Singing Class for Kids Ages 6-14
Wednesday, 6:00-6:45 pm
13 weeks starting February 8
$140 per semester
Instructor: Liz Simmons
Explore the world of Irish and Folk style singing. This weekly 30 min session will begin with gentle warm-up focusing on breath control and enhancing vocal flexibility. Emphasizes learning age appropriate folk songs through traditional ear training and memorization. A fun and casual environment for younger students to simply enjoy and expand upon their interest in singing.
Traditional Irish Singing Class for Adults
Wednesday, 6:45-7:45 pm
13 weeks starting February 8
$190 per semester
Instructor: Liz Simmons
Explore the world of Irish songs. This weekly 60-minute session will begin with gentle warm-ups that focus on breathing, scales, tone and flexibility. Each student will be invited to share a song on which he or she has been working. Traditional songs and ballads will be taught to increase students' repertoire of traditional material.
Sessions on the Hill (Traditional Irish Music Ensemble)
Thursday, 8:00-9:00 pm
$135 per semester
$15 per session drop-in fee (with prior approval of instructor)
10 weeks starting February 9
Instructor: Laurel Martin
Led by Irish traditional fiddler Laurel Martin, the group will develop a repertoire of traditional Irish session tunes.
Music is taught "by ear", but written music will be available. Prior experience with Irish music is not necessary; however, an intermediate level of proficiency on your instrument is required. All instruments utilized in traditional
Irish music are welcome (violin, flute, concertina, tin whistle, guitar, button accordion, uillean pipes, etc.)
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