offers percussive dance lessons for children and adults in Annapolis, MD.
Percussive dance is any dance form that uses the feet as a percussive instrument.
Annapolis Percussive Dance currently offers weekly classes in old-style Irish step dancing, sean-nós dancing and American tap dancing.
Special workshops are held throughout the year offering lessons in clogging, flatfooting, and varying styles of step dance from Canada.
Annapolis Percussive Dance
Old-style Irish step dance
is a form of Irish step dancing, danced in a fashion that was popular at the turn of the previous century (early 1900s). Dancers maintain turnout, keep their arms at their side, dance on their toes, and perform choreographed steps. The emphasis is on musicality and small intricate movements rather than big jumps or kicks.
Sean-nós dance
is a form of Irish step dancing that is growing in popularity among dancers because of its fun and musical style. It is a style of dance out of the west of Ireland. This solo, improvised dance form is danced closely to the floor with a lot of heel work. The emphasis is on percussion, musicality, improvisation, and creativity.
Weekly Dance Classes
Classes are held in the fellowship hall at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church at 1601 Pleasant Plains Road, Annapolis. Refer to calendar below for Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer semester dates, class breaks, performances, and special events. Fall classes start the week of September 1st through December 13.
If registering more than one family member, please use discount code “Family20%” for a 20% discount.
Ages: 4–6
Day/Time: Wednesdays 4:00 pm
Duration: 30 minutes
Creative Rhythms uses games and play to introduce preschoolers to Irish dancing. Students learn to make sounds with various parts of their feet, to hop, march, and balance on heels and toes. Students will be introduced to basic Irish dance steps, such as the rise and grind and the side step.
Ages: 7+
Day/Time: Thursdays 4:30
Duration: 60 minutes
In this beginner class, students learn simple reel steps (“threes” and “sevens”), shuffles, tip downs, sean-nós battering, and easy social dances that use these skills. They define key terms such as tempo, rhythm, meter, and time signature, and learn to distinguish between reels and double jigs.
Ages: Intergenerational (individuals and families)
Day/Time: Thursdays 5:30
Duration: 60 minutes
Individuals and families are invited to learn together in this intergenerational beginner tap dance class. Students will learn the fundamental tap dancing steps and work on honing their sense of rhythm. This will be accomplished through practicing drills, learning new routines, and playing rhythm games. This class will be a fun and friendly learning environment, respectful of people of all ages who want to learn and have fun moving their feet!
Ages: All
Day/Time: Wednesdays 4:30 pm
Duration: 60 minutes
This class begins our core curriculum, expanding the skills gained in the beginner classes. Students hone sean-nós battering skills, and begin dancing double jigs. They learn classic old-style set dances: The Priest in His Boots, the Maggie Pickens, Single Time, and Saint Patrick's Day.
Ages: All
Day/Time: Wednesdays 4:30 pm
Duration: 75 minutes
Level 2 develops improvisational skills for sean-nós dancing. Students mature the jig and reel steps learned in previous levels, and expand their repertoire with hornpipes and advanced set dances such as An Suisin Ban, Jockey to the Fair, and The Blackbird.
Ages: All
Day/Time: Wednesdays 4:30 pm
Duration: 90 minutes
The purpose of the Level 3 class is to hone and polish our steps. The instructor will partner with the students to focus on their individual needs to improve technique and timing. Students are expected to be practicing their repertoire or jigs, reels, hornpipes, and set dances at home and using class time to refine their personal style. Students will also be introduced to more difficult dances (ex: hard shoe slip jigs).
Ages: 16+
Day/Time: TBD
Duration: 60 minutes
(Full semester or drop-in rates available)
In this social, adult-focused class, students learn simple reel steps (“threes”, “sevens”, and the “bang step”), shuffles, tip downs, sean-nós battering, and easy social dances. A strong emphasis of the class is on improvisation, building confidence in sean-nós dance as well as learning beginner set dances to reinforce dance vocabulary.
Class Schedule and Calendar of Events
What shoes do I buy for dance class??
Old-style step dance is traditionally danced in leather-soled shoes, however these can be difficult to find. For adults, I recommend shopping around for an oxford shoe, in which you feel comfortable. You will need a shoe with a sole that can slide easily on the floor. Avoid shoes with thick, gummy tread. For kids, I recommend the STACY ADAMS Unisex-Child Dickinson Cap-Toe Oxford or the Stacey Adams Little Boy Dunbar Wingtip Oxford Shoe.
Once you find your favorite shoe, if you’d like to invest a little more money into the shoe, you can take it to a local cobbler and have an extra layer of hard leather or neolite (smooth rubber) added to the toe and heel of the shoe.
Annapolis Percussive Dance has a bin of used shoes that are available for kids throughout the year.
Workshops and Events
Upcoming Workshops
Stay tuned for upcoming workshops in the Fall of 2025
Upcoming events and performances
Emerald Isle Ceili Performance | Windsor Mill, MD | 7th March 2026 at 7:00pm