What's the story with traditional music and dance camps? And with Irish, Scottish and New England fiddling gatherings in every time zones, who heads to these annual events? Host Shannon Heaton talks with Mick Moloney, Kathleen Conneely, Seamus Connolly, Lissa Schneckenburger, Robbie O'Connell, Kevin Crawford, Cecilia Farran, Deirdre Cronin, Fiona Howell, and Brennish Thomson about what motivates instructors and students. Whether you already play or dance trad (or you've never had a Stroopwaffel) these stories might inspire you to pack your own flashlight and tune notebook in search of connection, creativity, and community.

Plenty of music here, too. Full playlist below.

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Special thanks to John MacDonald, John Kerr, Sharon Murphy, Paul DeCamp, Billie Neal, and Brian Benscoter for supporting this episode. And thank you to Matt Heaton for script editing and production music.

Please CLICK HERE if you can kick in to support this podcast!

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Visit IrishMusicStories.org

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Music Heard on IMS Episode 20 all music traditional, unless otherwise indicated

Tune:"Pound the Floor," from Production Music Made for Irish Music Stories Artist: Matt Heaton (guitar)

Tune:"Hometown Lullaby," from Production Music Made for Irish Music Stories Artist: Matt Heaton (guitar)

Tune: "The Collier's Reel," from Classics of Irish Piping Artist: Leo Rowsome

Track: "Halloween_Street02," from FreeSound Artist: Pooleside, licensed under the Attribution License

Tune: "Kitty in the Lane," from Beginish Artist: Paul O'Shaughnessy

Tune: "The Blackbird and the Hen, from Uncommon Bonds Artist: Mick Moloney

Tune: "Abbey Reel," from Kitchen Session Artist: Matt Heaton (guitar)

Tune: "Reel Beatrice/The Abbey Reel," from Liz Carroll Artist: Liz Carroll & Dá¡thí­ Sproule

Tune: "Heartstrings Theme," from Production Music Made for Irish Music Stories Artist: Matt Heaton (guitar)

Tune: "A Week Before Easter," from Recollections Vol 1 Artist: Robbie O'Connell

Tune: "Meaning of Life," from Production Music Made for Irish Music Stories Artist: Matt Heaton (guitar)

Tune: "Free the Heel," from Rehearsal Artist: Matt & Shannon Heaton

Tune: "Megan & Jarrod," from Ports of Call Artist: Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas

Tune: "John's Theme," from Production Music Made for Irish Music Stories Artist: Matt Heaton (guitar)

Tune: "Eugenia's Waltz," from Dance Artist: Lissa Schneckenburger

Tune: Session Reel Artist: Baltimore musicians, including Sean McComiskey, Josh Dukes, Laura Byrne (playing the part of Red Sox bleachers musicians)

Tune: "Mountain Lark," from Carrying the Tune Artist: Kevin Crawford

Tune: "Dermot Grogan's" from The Coming of Spring Artist: Kathleen Conneely

Tune: "Slip Jig Dreams," from Production Music Made for Irish Music Stories Artist: Matt Heaton (guitar)

Tune: "Larry Get Out of the Bin / Elzic's Farewell," from Rubai Artist: Flook