Riley School of Irish Music

Founded in 1996 by Susan Cross Gilligan, the Riley School is a community of children, teens, and adults learning and playing Irish traditional music together. The Riley School offers three quarters of classes starting in September, January, and March as well as bands, workshops, ceili dances, and other opportunities to listen and perform. Small class sizes provide a rewarding and effective way for students to experience the history, camaraderie and joy of playing traditional Irish music.

Tunes are taught by ear, with the whole school learning a shared set of tunes each quarter. Classes are currently available in whistle, flute, harp, fiddle, traditional singing, banjo, mandolin, concertina, uillean pipes, accordion, melodeon, bodhran, and guitar. Classes are offered Saturday mornings at Grace United Methodist Church in Norwood.

The Riley School is supported by the Ohio and Kentucky Arts Councils, and is a participating ACE provider for the Ohio Afterschool Child Enrichment Educational Savings Account Program.