
Pendenny Studio
New this summer: Irish Summer Camp 2025
New this summer: Irish Summer Camp 2025
Located in Annapolis, Maryland, the Pendenny Studio encompasses the traditional music, singing, and dancing instruction offered by Peter Brice and Catherine Brice. Peter teaches voice with study in English-language traditional singing, Irish traditional music on the diatonic button accordion (B/C, C#/D, etc), and music theory pertaining to Irish traditional music. Catherine teaches old-style Irish step dancing and American tap dancing. Pendenny (later Pendennis) is the name of Peter’s family’s farm along the Severn River.
Practical music lessons are private; music theory and dance instruction are offered in classes. The Pendenny Studio’s dance curriculum starts with three beginner classes organized by age group: preschoolers, children (under 12), and teenagers/adults. Students matriculate at their own pace from the beginner classes to the curricular dance classes (i.e. Levels 1–3). If you are interested in learning more about our program, please contact us at (443) 221-4632 or inquiries@newcenturyirisharts.com.
Join our 4-week Summer Session for $100
Classes held at Asbury United Methodist
78 Church Rd, Arnold, MD 21012
Wednesdays: July 2nd, 9th, 16th, 30th
*If registering for multiple family members (parents and/or siblings), use the discount code: themerrysistersoffate for a 20% discount at checkout!
Kids Beginner Irish Dancing
Ages: 7+
Day/Time: Wednesday 4pm
Duration: 60 minutes
Fall/Winter/Spring Tuition: $275 per session
4 week Summer Tuition: $100
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.
Beginner Dance Classes
Beginner Tap Dance
Ages: Intergenerational (individuals and families)
Day/Time: Wednesday 5pm
Duration: 60 minutes
4 week Summer Tuition: $100
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!
An Rince Beag,
The Little Dance
Ages: 4–6
Day/Time: Wednesday 3:30 pm
Duration: 30 minutes
Fall/Winter Spring Tuition: $200 per session
Summer Tuition: $100
An Rince Beag 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.
Adults Beginner/Intermediate Irish Dancing
Ages: 12+
Day/Time: TBD/6:30pm
Duration: 60 minutes
Tuition: $275 per session/$25 drop-in fee
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. They define key terms such as tempo, rhythm, meter, and time signature, and learn to distinguish between reels and double jigs.
Irish Dancing Level 1
Ages: All
Day/Time: Wednesday 6 pm
Duration: 60 minutes
Fall/Winter/Spring Tuition: $275 per session
4 week Summer Tuition: $100
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.
Curricular Dance Classes
Irish Dancing Level 2
Ages: All
Day/Time: Wednesday 6pm
Duration: 75 minutes
Fall/Winter/Spring Tuition: $275 per session
4 week Summer Tuition: $100
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.
Irish Dancing Level 3
Ages: All
Day/Time: Wednesday 6pm
Duration: 90 minutes
Fall/Winter/Spring Tuition: $275 per session
4 week Summer Tuition: $100
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).



Important Dates
Fall 2024 class semester | September 10-December 11 (No class: October 22nd, 23rd, Nov 26th, 27th)
Cromwell Valley Arts in the Park Festival | Saturday, September 28th @ 12pm
Maryland Ave. Fall Fest | Sunday, October 20th, Time TBD
Halloween Ceili | Saturday, November 2nd 12-2pm @ Pendenny Studio
Maryland Irish Festival | Saturday, November 9th @ 12pm
Winter 2025 class semester | Jan 14-March 19
Emerald Isle Ceili performance | Saturday, March 1st 7:00-7:30 pm | Windsor Mill, MD
Spring 2025 class semester | April 1-June 11 (No class the week of April 13th)
May Day Ceili | May 3rd, 12-2pm | Pendenny Studio
Baltimore Irish Music School Concert | May 4th, 2:30pm | Baltimore
Summer 2025 class semester | 4-week class in July
Ireland Camp: Mummers, Wrenboys, and Other Uninvited Guests | August 11th-15th 9am-4pm | Annapolis, MD
About the Instructors
Catherine Marafino Brice is an Irish step dancer living in Annapolis, MD. She specializes in sean nós dance, old-style Irish step dancing, and has studied American tap dance and flatfooting. Fusing these influences together, she has created her own style of improvised percussive dance that is lively and unique. More…
Peter Brice sings old songs in a traditional style, and plays Irish Traditional music on the button accordion. A native Annapolitan and an exponent of Baltimore, Maryland’s Irish traditional music community, Peter’s work blends singing and musicianship with musicology and history, humor, colorful design, and a vision for traditional culture as a foundation for an intellectual life. More…

PROGRAM OUTLINE
TEACHING ETHIC
At the Pendenny Studio, we believe that artistic accomplishment can be measured objectively in terms of technical skill, stylistic fluency, creativity, well-roundedness, and good character. We believe that every student is unique, and will excel in a unique way if given the right opportunities. We prepare our students for a musical life, and hope that they will seize the opportunity to become artists and tradition bearers in their own right.
SEMESTERS
Pendenny Studio classes fall into four semesters: Autumn (September to December), Winter (January to March), Spring (March to June), and Summer (June to August). We observe breaks for Easter, August back to school, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. See the New Century Calendar for specific dates. Private lessons do not follow semesters or take "breaks".
TUITION
Tuition for 60-minute classes is $275 per student per semester. For the Autumn, Winter, and Spring semesters, students have the option to pay in full or in half-term increments. Tuition for the 4-week Summer semester is $100 per student.
Tuition for 45-minute classes, such as An Rince Beag, is $200 per student per semester. For the Autumn, Winter, and Spring semesters, students have the option to pay in full or in half-term increments. Tuition for the 4-week Summer semester is $75.
PRIVATE LESSONS
Pendenny Studio instructors offer one-on-one lessons separate from or in addition to scheduled classes. Private lessons are available in music (including music theory), dancing, and singing, and are tailored to the interests of the student.
SPECIAL WORKSHOPS & MASTER CLASSES
The Pendenny Studio and the New Century American Irish-Arts Company hold special workshops and master classes with local and visiting artists. These are valuable opportunities for our students to learn repertoire and style from master artists other than their teachers, and to gain exposure to a range of perspectives on music and dancing. We host between four and six workshops and/or masterclasses each year.
ILLNESS
We are careful to prevent the transmission of contagions, epidemics, and other boogery outbreaks through our studio. If our teachers are sick, we will cancel class or schedule a substitute teacher. If you or your little patient zero are feeling a tickle, please stay home, and avoid us as though we have the plague.
SNOW CANCELLATIONS
Pendenny Studio classes follow Anne Arundel County Public Schools’ snow closure policy. If school is in session, we will hold classes, barring other notice. Cancellation of private lessons due to blizzards, penguin uprisings, and the unyielding malice of snow queens is at the discretion of the instructor.
IMPAIRMENTS
We take all students as they come.
PAYMENT
We accept payment for classes in cash or checks, or on credit and debit cards via the New Century Irish-Arts Store. Sorry, our accountant says we can no longer accept payment in the form of snap bracelets or unruly children.
CLOTHING & INSTRUMENTS
SHOES FOR DANCING
Old-style step dancing should be danced in a leather-sole shoe. We recommend basic clogging oxfords because it is an affordable dance shoe for young children with growing feet. We have a small supply of lightly used shoes that we can offer to our students. We also accept donations of used clogging oxfords. An nicer alternative are Stacy Adams Oxford shoes. Shoes should be comfortable and slide easily along the floor. Adults can wear any leather-soled shoe or taps. Students in the curricular classes will be expected to move into a tap shoe for performance.
INSTRUMENTS
It can be difficult to find the right instrument to begin playing. Please contact us at inquiries@newcenturyirisharts.com if you would like our help finding a button accordion or other instrument to start.
CLOTHING
For class: We recommend wearing comfortable clothes. Many students and instructors wear sleek, 21st century workout garments; others wear jeans. Wet/dry/hazmat suits are not appropriate.
For Performance: We require student musicians and dancers to observe a dress code for performances, but we are strictly committed to freedom of expression within that model. Past dress codes have stated, for instance, "a nice shirt in a shade of blue with black pants or black skirt". In our opinion, the most important consideration in dressing for performance is to show respect for the art form and the people who wrought it, but that consideration should leave room for the performer to be himself or herself, gently. We do not require our dancers to wear ghillies, wigs, or other Irish dancing costumes.