We are delighted to be visiting Finland this October 2021 for the first time to bring you 4 days of Irish Dance Bootcamp classes and workshops. These classes will cover a variety of dances including some heavy shoe traditional Irish set dances, treble reel show style choreography as well as a special 2 DAY BOOTCAMP that will cover a fun choreographed show style routine accompanied by an ensemble of live musicians. Bootcamp suitable for all levels from beginners to advanced, with some workshop classes suitable for more advanced dancers. See more information on the programme below.

Workshop Details October 2021
Thursday 21st October
Traditional Set Dance Workshops
5:00pm – 6:15pm The Blackbird (Beginner/Intermediate)
6:30pm – 7:45pm Garden of Daisies (Intermediate/Advanced)
Friday 22nd October
Treble Reel Show Style Steps
5:00pm – 6:15pm Beginners/Intermediate
6:30pm – 7:45pm Intermediate/Advanced
Saturday 23rd October
Irish Dance 2 Day Bootcamp – Day 1
Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced
This 2 day bootcamp will cover the introductory steps to a fully choreographed soft shoe show style routine in a fun and friendly environment. Suitable for both beginner and advanced dancers with varying levels of choreography covered. Classes take place between 10am-7pm and will include 4 hours per day of teaching as well as studio time for rehearsal between classes.
Sunday 24th October
Irish Dance 2 Day Bootcamp – Day 2
Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced
Day 2 of the bootcamp will build on the steps learned previously and arrange them in formation. The second day will also include rehearsal time with a live music ensemble where the dancers will have the opportunity to dance the full routine to a live score. Classes take place between 10am-7pm and will include 4 hours per day of teaching as well as studio time for rehearsal between classes.
This 2 day bootcamp will cover the introductory steps to a fully choreographed soft shoe show style routine in a fun and friendly environment. Suitable for both beginner and advanced dancers with varying levels of choreography covered. Classes take place between 10am-7pm and will include 4 hours per day of teaching as well as studio time for rehearsal between classes.
These workshops are only possible due to generous support from The Irish Embassy Finland and ConAnima®. Due to the current restrictions in place classes are limited to a maximum of 20 participants so early booking is encouraged. If the course is full you will be placed on a waiting list and contacted if a place becomes available. Your place is not confirmed until we have a revised your application and contacted you by return email.
All classes will be follow covid safety guidelines and attendees should be fully vaccinated. Should the event need to be cancelled due to covid restrictions they will be rescheduled at the earliest time possible. Attendees are not obligated to attend the rescheduled event and refunds will be arranged if needed. All participants are required to have personal insurance to take part.
To register for this event please follow the link below to sign up to our mailing list and request a place.
NO PAYMENT REQUIRED TO REGISTER!
We will be in touch to arrange final details and payment once your registration has been accepted.
Mark Hennessey BSc MPhil TCRG
Your instructor, Mark Hennessey, is a musician, dancer, composer and educator from Dublin, Ireland. He began dancing at the young age of 4. Throughout his competitive career he placed first in the Dublin, Leinster and All Ireland & International Championships in both solo and team competitions.
Following this he travelled the world with several dance shows including Michael Flatleys Lord of the Dance, Celtic Tiger & Feet of Flames. Alongside Aisling Mc Veigh he opened the Hennessey-Mc Veigh School of Irish Dance over 10 years ago, which is registered with An Coimisiún le Rincí Gaelacha and is based in Trim and Navan, Co Meath. He also teaches various classes, courses and workshops throughout Ireland and Europe to a combination of professional dancers, hobbyists, tourists, international language exchange students under the Hennessey Mc Veigh School of Irish Dance, Trad Culture and Irish Dance Bootcamp. You can see a selection of some clips of Mark performing in the various shows he was a part of below.
As an accomplished musician, Mark has also performed as solo violinist for various dance companies including Lord of the Dances resident show in Las Vegas. Mark is also a contemporary composer who has composed soundtracks for various shows and collaborative events and has received radio play on several national radio stations as well as performing his own music in the National Concert Hall Dublin. He also previously lectured on the MA in Music & Media Technology Course in the Trinity College Dublin, and MA Composition for Film & Mixed Media in Pulse College at Windmill Lane and has composed works for various ensembles including the Young Dublin Symphonia and the world renowned Crash Ensemble. You can see a video below of Mark performing in Michael Flatleys Lord of the Dance.
The workshops this October will be run in collaboration with the newly founded European Irish Music Ensemble and will culminate in a chance for both groups to come and perform together at the end of the weekend. The European Irish Music Ensemble is an all inclusive group for musicians who want to connect with their Irish roots or those with an interest to find out more about with the traditional music and culture of Ireland. Online rehearsals are held monthly with in person workshops held throughout the year in Ireland and locations around Europe under the direction of Mark. If you are a musician, professional or hobbyist, interested in joining an exciting new Irish music ensemble based in Finland you can submit your information by clicking here.)