Kieran Releases Musical Feet! — Sean-nós Dance Instructional Video
In Musical Feet!, Kieran teaches the basic footwork of sean-nós (“old style”) Irish step dance, breaking down steps into simple movements that anyone can do at their own pace. She has created a true progression of steps, from the most basic walking steps to the more intricate shuffling patterns. This comprehensive learning program is designed for beginners of all ages, and for anyone who wants to learn more about sean-nós Irish dance. Whether you are presently enrolled in a class or learning Irish dance for the first time, you will appreciate the clear intelligent teaching, the warm spirit, and Kieran’s life-long passion for Irish dance.
Musical Feet! is available for purchase. Please send $40 to Kieran Jordan at P.O. Box 870133, Milton Village, MA 02187 or Email Kieran for more information.
Feis America puts Kieran and her Boston classes in the news
It is a chilly November evening in Cambridge, Massachusetts, but in Kieran Jordan’s newly-opened Boston Percussive Dance studio, jackets and boots have been cast aside and are now lining the side wall, rejected in favor of Irish hard sole dance shoes. Jordan leads her large group of dancers in a step to add to one of their routines; together, they jump up and click their heels to the left and then do the same on the right. As Jordan performs the step, she lifts her slender arms into the air, bent at the elbow like a Greek Zeibekiko dancer, and makes a silly face in the mirror. It’s not what most people expect when they think of Advanced Irish Dance, but that happens to be the exact title of Jordan’s dance class. read more
Kieran Receives Golden Bridges Award
Kieran has been named an honoree for the second annual Golden Bridges Awards, hosted by the Irish Echo and the Boston Irish Reporter newspapers. The award ceremony will take place in the Boston World Trade Centre on Thursday, October 8, 2009. Other honorees include:
Chief Honoree and Guest Speaker: Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts Timothy Murray
State Senate President Therese Murray
Bridget Shaheen, Lazarus House Ministries
Robert Sheridan, President Savings Bank Life Insurance
Bjarni Thorvardarson, CEO Hibernia Atlantic
John Drew, President World Trade Center, Boston
William J. Reilly, Jr.
Kieran releases her first DVD
“Secrets of the Sole,” released in 2008, features the “old style” step dancing of Kevin Doyle and Aidan Vaughan. “Kevin and Aidan have each been my teacher, collaborator, and dance partner in recent years,” Kieran explains. “I wanted to make a video that would celebrate their particular dance styles, capture their live performance energy, and tell the history of Irish dance through their individual stories.” This documentary and performance video will appeal to all ages, and to anyone who enjoys the remarkable traditions of Irish music and dance.
Kieran receives State Art Award
Kieran has been named a 2008 “Artist Fellow” by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, in the category of Traditional Arts. Artist Fellowships provide assistance to individual artists “to recognize excellence and creative ability and to support further development of their talents.” This year, 39 fellowships were awarded from a pool of 1,800 applicants. Kieran was recognized for her performance and teaching work in traditional and sean-nós Irish dance. “Dance as a solo career requires soul-searching and risk-taking,” says Kieran. “This is an honor for me – an nod of affirmation that I really appreciate.” For more information, visit Massachusetts Cultural Council.
“A Christmas Celtic Sojourn, Live” DVD Release
Kieran is a featured performer in “A Christmas Celtic Sojourn, Live” a high-definition video from the 2006 production of “A Christmas Celtic Sojourn.” Hosted by Brian O’Donovan of WGBH radio, the performance includes music by the Karan Casey Band, Robbie O’Connell Band, Mulcahy Family, Navan, and the O’Donovan Family. Dancers along with Kieran include the young and spectacular Nicholas Yenson and the wonderful Clare-style sean-nós dancer Aidan Vaughan. To purchase a DVD for $20, please contact Kieran.
In the News
Kieran and her husband Vincent are featured on the cover of the April 2007 Boston Irish Reporter. Read all about it by downloading a pdf version of the two-page article.
University of Limerick
In June, 2005, Kieran completed a Master’s Degree in Contemporary Dance Performance at the University of Limerick in Ireland. Her studies included contemporary dance technique, choreography, Body-Mind Centering, ballet, and yoga. She also studied sean-nós (“old-style”) Irish dance, particularly the West Clare battering style of dancer Aidan Vaughan.
Kieran returned to University of Limerick in November, 2005 for the annual Sionna Festival. She participated in “Sean Nós / Nua Nós,” a panel discussion and performance celebrating both tradition and innovation in Irish dance choreography. Other dancers included Jean Butler, Colin Dunne, Honor Hurley, and Seosamh Ó Neachtain.
