The 15th Blas International Summer School of Irish Traditional Music and Dance takes place in the Irish World Academy at the University of Limerick from June 20th – July 1st 2011.
Blas is now firmly established as one of Ireland’s most prestigious summer schools, attracting students (16 & over) from around the world to spend two weeks gaining one-to-one access to the expertise of some of Ireland’s finest traditional musicians, singers and dancers. Blas attracts musicians, singers and dancers who are already familiar with the Irish traditions and who want to extend their technique, repertoire and knowledge therein. It also attracts many performers from other genres who find it beneficial to study with us as a form of induction and acculturation in the Irish traditions before diving in at the deep end of the main traditional scene of endless sessions, ceilithe, fleadhanna and festivals.
Apart from tuition and master classes, Blas students can expect a whole range of activities including lectures on Irish Traditional music topics, field-trips, sessions, lunchtime and evening concerts, céilís, and above all, the opportunity to share tunes with some of Ireland’s finest traditional musicians.
Martin Hayes continues as artist-in-residence for the Irish World Academy & Blas for this year. Other tutors for the summer school include Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin, Dennis Cahill, Donal Lunny & Geraldine Cotter (accompaniment), Siobhán Peoples, John Carty & Eileen O’Brien (fiddle), Niall Keegan, Kevin Crawford, Majella Bartley, Aileen Dillane & Conal O’ Gráda (flute), Catherine Foley, Mats Melin and Orfhlaith Ní Bhriain, Carol Leavy Joyce, Michael Ryan & Breándán de Gallaí (dance), Sandra Joyce, Karan Casey, Roisin Elsafty & Seamus Begley (song), and Jim Higgins & Tommy Hayes (bodhrán), with many more being added all of the time.
An exciting development for Blas 2010 was the introduction of the Paul Brady Blas Scholarship. This is providing €20,000 in endowment funds over three years, offering 25 places for deserving musicians, singers & dancers on the Blas programme. The recipients of the scholarships will benefit from master classes and tuition from Ireland’s most distinguished traditional musicians, singers and dancers. Applications for this year are open until Friday April 22nd
