Irish Set Dances

Michael Riemer has been set dancing for about 25 years, initially learning from local dancers but still continuing to attend classes and workshops with Patrick O’Dea, Padraig McEneany, Mairead Casey and Larry Lynch. He has taught the sets for about 15 years through classes at Comhaltas (CCE) and at special events including dance weekends and music camps. 
Michael’s teaching style emphasizes the way the different portions of the dance flow together and fit the music. When not actively dancing or teaching, Michael also plays music for Irish dancing, and loves the way musicians and dancers can complement each other’s best efforts.

Throughout Dale’s 45 years of experience playing traditional Irish fiddle, he has steadfastly held to traditional ways of playing – not through stubbornness, but because of his deep belief in the beauty of the unadorned heart of the music. Having taught for decades, his focus is not on developing playing styles meant to impress, but simply to open doors to enhance the enjoyment of playing. Being self-taught has sharpened his ear to the subtleties that make Irish music sound Irish, and have developed his ability to break down elements into their most basic parts.
Dale has taught at The Swannannoa Gathering, Festival of American Fiddle Tunes in Port Townsend, and at Lark Camp for 16 or more years. He had a one-month residency gig with Kevin Burke at McGurk’s pub in St Louis, and has toured several times with the legendary accordion player Paddy O’Brien in the band “Chulrua”.

Nell Russ first heard traditional Irish tunes around a campfire in a mountain forest, and feels deeply connected to the sound of nature and wildness in the music. She is known for embracing the old sounds of “pure drop” Irish music, raw and harkening to the older days, to rocks and trees and wind - it’s been said that she and her extra-big, growly fiddle sound like they just crawled down from the hills of Clare. She loves that in this digital age, where everything from jobs to books to art are being automated, live music and dance are still intrinsically connected and shoring up folk communities around the world, just as it’s been for hundreds of years. Through the synchrony and magic of music, she gained the mentorship of a like-minded soul, her now-husband Dale Russ, and has been performing with him since 2023. Nell is a stalwart of the Pacific Northwest Session scene, organizing monthly sessions and performances at the steeped and storied Conor Byrne Pub. You can find her teaching and playing festivals, dances, sessions, and concerts around the Pacific Northwest.