Maldon Meehan Irish Dance

- 226 SE Madison St, Portland, OR 97214

For Oregon residents seeking a genuine connection to traditional Irish culture and the joyous, rhythmic world of Irish dance, **Maldon Meehan Irish Dance** stands as the region's preeminent resource. Located in the heart of Portland, this dance school is dedicated to the preservation and teaching of two specific and highly traditional forms: Irish Sean-nós (meaning "old style") and Irish Set Dancing. Unlike the competitive, stiff-shoe style often seen globally, this school focuses on the more grounded, improvisational, and social roots of the art form, making it deeply appealing to those who value cultural authenticity, community, and expressive movement.

The core mission of Maldon Meehan Irish Dance is to provide comprehensive and accessible instruction for students of all ages and proficiency levels, from the absolute beginner taking their very first steps to the advanced dancer seeking mastery or professional performance opportunities. The instructor, Maldon Meehan, brings decades of experience, including a Master's degree in Ethnochoreology from the University of Limerick, Ireland, lending a scholarly depth to the classes that is rare in a local studio. This wealth of knowledge ensures that students are not just learning steps, but also the rich history and cultural context behind them.

The studio is fully committed to nurturing this art form in the Pacific Northwest, providing a welcoming environment that is confirmed to be "Good for kids," fostering a lifelong love of traditional dance in the next generation of Oregon's dancers. Furthermore, the extensive range of available class formats—spanning in-person group classes, private tutoring, and a sophisticated online school—reflects a dedication to making Irish dance accessible across the greater Oregon and beyond.

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Maldon Meehan Irish Dance maintains a central presence in Portland, Oregon, making it a convenient location for the local community. The primary physical address for the dance school is **226 SE Madison St, Portland, OR 97214, USA**. This specific location places the studio in the city’s vibrant Southeast quadrant, easily accessible for residents of inner Portland, as well as those commuting from surrounding suburbs in the Willamette Valley.

As a dance school that regularly hosts in-person classes, this central location benefits from Portland's robust transportation infrastructure. It is typically well-served by nearby TriMet bus lines and is often within a reasonable distance of major thoroughfares and transit stops, simplifying the logistics for Oregon families and adult students attending weekly sessions. While specific accessibility details for the entrance (like ramp access) are not provided in the primary data, the studio’s professional location in a commercial district indicates its primary function as a dedicated teaching space for the art of traditional Irish dance.

For those who cannot attend in-person, the studio cleverly bypasses physical location concerns entirely by offering a comprehensive online school, extending its reach well beyond the Portland metro area to all of Oregon.

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Maldon Meehan Irish Dance offers an exceptionally diverse and flexible range of instruction options, deeply rooted in traditional Irish dance forms. Their service list caters to nearly every preference, schedule, and skill level, ensuring that any Oregonian interested in this cultural art can find a suitable entry point:

• **Traditional Irish Dances:** Specialization in **Sean-nós Dance** (an improvisational, low-to-the-ground solo style) and **Irish Set Dancing** (a lively group, social dance often referred to as Irish square dancing).
• **Skill-Based Classes:** Organized into distinct levels including **Beginner's classes**, **Intermediate classes**, and **Advanced classes**, allowing for structured, progressive learning for both adults and children.
• **Class Formats:** A comprehensive mix of learning environments including **In-Person Classes** (Group Dance Classes, Weekly Classes), **Online Classes** (Live Lessons, Zoom Classes, Online Course), and access to an **Online Dance School** library with past course recordings and resources.
• **Personalized Instruction:** Offering **Private lessons** (Private Dance Lessons, Private Tutoring) and **Semi-Private Lessons** for focused, one-on-one or small-group progress.
• **Specialized Workshops:** Including **Choreography classes**, **Performance Workshops**, "Battering for Sets," and instruction in related dance forms like **Tap Class** and potentially **Old Style Step Dance** and **Brush Dance**.
• **Social Dance and Events:** Organizing and calling local **Social Dancing** events and Céilís (Irish social gatherings), providing opportunities to practice learned steps in a fun, community setting.
• **Unique Offerings:** Includes **Couple Lessons** and **Wedding Dance Preparations**, tailoring traditional dance for special occasions, and sessions like "Guided Practice" or "Woodshedding" to enhance learning outside of class time.

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The school's highlights underscore its dual strength as both a center for academic rigor and a warm, inclusive community space for Irish culture:

• **Deep Cultural Authenticity:** The instructor possesses a Masters degree in Ethnochoreology from an Irish university and specializes in the traditional, regional styles of **Sean-nós** and **Set Dancing**, offering a more genuine and less commercial experience than other forms of Irish dance.
• **Exceptional Instructor Expertise:** Maldon Meehan is a highly experienced performer and teacher, having appeared on national Irish television (TG4) and placed in prestigious sean-nós competitions, providing students with world-class instruction right here in Oregon.
• **Hybrid Learning Model:** The availability of both **In-Person Classes** in Portland and a robust **Online Dance School** with a membership subscription offers unparalleled flexibility for busy Oregonians to learn at their own pace, live, or on-demand.
• **Inclusivity for All Ages and Levels:** With classes designated as "Good for kids," along with **Adult lessons** and levels ranging from "Absolute Beginner" to "Master" level, the studio truly serves the entire community.
• **Community and Social Focus:** A significant highlight is the emphasis on **Social Dancing** and **Partner Dancing** through regular set dancing classes and community céilís, fostering a social environment around the art form.

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Oregon residents interested in exploring the vibrant world of traditional Irish dance can easily connect with the studio using the following information:

• **Address:** 226 SE Madison St, Portland, OR 97214, USA
• **Phone:** (971) 373-1374
• **Mobile Phone:** +1 971-373-1374

Prospective students are highly encouraged to use the phone numbers to inquire about current in-person class schedules, especially for the popular Irish Set Dancing and Sean-nós classes. Given the robust online offerings, this contact information is also the gateway to learning more about the membership and Zoom class options, which allow learners to take classes from anywhere in Oregon, be it Eugene, Bend, or the Portland metro area.

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Maldon Meehan Irish Dance is worth choosing for Oregonians because it provides an uncommonly deep dive into the cultural heart of Irish dance that goes beyond simple recreation. The presence of a highly educated instructor with an MA in Ethnochoreology ensures that the instruction is both technically excellent and culturally authentic, offering a level of richness and detail that is rare outside of Ireland.

For the adult learner in Portland, the emphasis on **Social Dancing** and **Set Dancing** is a compelling reason to choose this studio. Set dancing, often likened to Irish square dancing, is a fantastic social outlet that requires no partner and instantly integrates newcomers into a supportive and joyful community, providing excellent physical exercise alongside cultural enrichment.

For parents, the fact that the school is designated as "Good for kids," combined with the instructor's background in traditional styles, means children are learning an authentic, rhythm-based, and improvisational art form that fosters creativity and confidence, rather than a purely competitive mindset. The flexible options, including **Online Classes** and an extensive step library, mean that a student’s progress is never limited by their schedule or physical distance from the Portland studio, making it a perfect fit for the diverse and widespread communities across the state of Oregon.

Maldon Meehan Irish Dance

226 SE Madison St, Portland, OR 97214, USA