WELCOME
WELCOME to Catskills Irish Arts Week (CIAW26), a week-long summer program in traditional Irish music, song, dance and arts, for children, teens and adults, held annually in East Durham, NY, in the heart of the Catskill Mountains.
We are delighted to be celebrating our 32nd year of continuous instruction in traditional Irish musical arts, and hope you will join us for a week in which we all grow together in the proficiency and community of the music we share.
Registered students participate in daily classes Monday, July 13-Friday, July 17, 2026. The week closes with a full-day music and dance Festival on Saturday, July 18.
In addition to daily class instruction, we offer afternoon presentations, evening concerts, nightly ceili dances and participatory sessions in a very active week! This year we are strengthening our introductory music program for children ages 5-12, and will also be offering some special events to gather teens and young adults.
We have assembled an esteemed roster of instructors, from Ireland and the United States, who teach and perform at the highest levels of traditional Irish music and dance. Along with teaching morning and afternoon classes, they will be featured performers in the evening concerts and ceili bands, and lead the nightly sessions. The full list of instructors and class offerings appears below.
WELCOME FROM THE DIRECTOR
I’m new to the post of Executive Director but I’ve been attending Irish Arts Week since 2009 as a student. I owe so much of my knowledge and love for traditional Irish music to the talented and generous performers and teachers who gather here each summer. I’m honored to take on the work of guiding this community and encouraging our growth together.
I know I speak for the entire community as I extend my thanks to Paul Keating for nurturing the Irish Arts program over many years, and trust we will honor his legacy well as we carry the program forward.
I envision 2026 as an opportunity to broaden participation in Arts Week. I’m delighted with the team of teachers we’ve added to expand our music program for children ages 5-12. We’re also adding some special musical events to gather teens and young adults during the week. And, fabulous classes, concerts, ceili dances and sessions led by terrific musicians await you.
People are offering to volunteer. I’m hearing some great ideas for expanding the program to invite participation from more people on the sidelines. And that’s my message to everyone: join us, support us by registering at whatever level you can, volunteer, and come have fun dancing, singing and playing music with us this summer!
Amy Schoch, Executive Director
Adults & Teens (ages 13–18)
- Full-time Students register for 2 classes: 1 morning & 1 afternoon
- Part-time Students register for 1 class in EITHER morning OR afternoon
- Includes admission to M–F concerts, ceili dances, afternoon presentations & sessions
Morning & Afternoon Children’s Program (ages 5–12)
- Full-time kids register for 2 sessions: morning (9:30–12:00) & afternoon (1:00–3:30)
- Part-time kids register for 1 session: EITHER morning OR afternoon
- Includes admission to M–F concerts when accompanied by a registered adult
REGISTER for CIAW26
CLASSES meet for 5 consecutive days: Morning (10–11:30am) & Afternoon (1:30–3pm)
Children’s Program at Irish Arts Week
The Children’s Program offers morning and afternoon classes for children ages 5–12. Classes meet Monday through Friday, from 9:30–12:00 in the morning and 1:00–3:30 in the afternoon. You may register your children for the morning class, the afternoon class, or both.
This is a fun-filled program offering hands-on instruction in traditional Irish music and culture. Children will explore Irish music on fiddle, whistle, piano, guitar, bodhrán (and more), as well as Irish song, Irish dancing, and Gaelic football.
The program also includes youth sessions, giving participants the opportunity to play music together in a relaxed, supportive setting. The week culminates in a showcase where students can share what they’ve learned with family and friends.
Important Note:
The program does not include lunch. Parents must pick up their children at noon and provide lunch away from the classroom. This program requires a full five-day commitment and is not designed to care for children who need an occasional activity.
The program is designed and led by Lindsey Céitinn and Michelle Bergin, with Jeff DesRosier and Joseph Kelly.
Lindsey Céitinn is a musician and educator active in Irish music in Connecticut and New York. She serves as Chairperson of the P.V. O’Donnell Branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann in Milford, CT, and leads the Sunday session at An Beal Bocht Café in the Bronx. She holds a BA in Music and a Master’s in Childhood Education, works in public education, and has over 15 years of experience teaching children and adults, including in general and special education. A multi-instrumentalist and dedicated culture-bearer, Lindsey is passionate about sharing Irish music and tradition with the next generation.
Michelle Bergin holds a Master’s degree in Music Education and is a middle school educator with the New York State Department of Education, where she directs a string and keyboard program. She also operates her own school of traditional Irish music in the Woodlawn section of the Bronx, which she has led for twenty-two years, teaching hundreds of young musicians. Michelle is a TCRG-certified Irish dance instructor and previously toured as a fiddler with Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance. She co-hosts two traditional music sessions in the Bronx at An Beal Bocht and The Rambling House and is an active accompanist in the Irish traditional music community.
SUPPORTERS
You may be among the many people who come to Irish Arts Week but do not register for classes. You come to catch up with friends, attend some concerts, and play in the sessions. We are so glad you come and add to the vitality of the CIAW sessions and community.
This year we’re asking you to help us financially too, by registering as a CIAW SUPPORTER. It costs a lot to bring a first-rate line-up of teachers from Ireland and across the USA to East Durham; to make the concerts, ceilis and sessions crackle with the energy that brings the CIAW community back together year after year.
Becoming a Supporter is voluntary. No one will check at the session doors to see if you’ve registered. It’s up to you. But know that CIAW does need financial support, and by asking session players to contribute, we can help keep the concert, ceili and class fees affordable, and the teachers and performers well-cared for.
You can register as a Session Supporter which includes tickets to the M-F concerts and the Saturday Festival; or register as a Weekend Supporter, which includes tickets for the Friday concert and Saturday Festival. Want to do it all? Register as a Concert & Ceilis Supporter with M-F tickets for both plus the Saturday Festival. Also included: the gratitude of the CIAW staff for helping us make it all happen!
BENEFACTORS
There are angels among us too. If you are in a position to contribute more substantially to support Irish Arts Week, you can use the registration form, and know that all of the Arts Week activities are open to you, as are our hearts! Or contact us at the office to arrange a gift.
HOW TO REGISTER
- For Adult & Teen Class Registrations, assess your proficiency level. Classes are offered for Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced players. Then select your preferred Morning and/or Afternoon Classes from the Instructor Class chart, and proceed to the Registration Form.
- For Session Supporter, Weekend Supporter, Concert & Ceilis Supporter and Children’s Program registrations, proceed directly to the Registration Form.
- Choose to register as an Individual; OR register as a Family Group if you are registering as an Adult and registering two or more Children or Teens to receive the Family Discount.
CLASS LEVELS
Basic: ability to play your instrument; with some knowledge of Irish traditional tunes and sessions.
Intermediate: moderate to strong playing ability on your instrument; with some memorized repertoire of Irish session tunes, and experience playing in sessions.
Advanced: fluent control of your instrument; with extensive repertoire of Irish tunes, technique, and session experience.
Open: open to all; no prior knowledge or experience required.
