Riley School

Discover the Joy of Irish Music at The Riley School

At The Riley School of Irish Music, we're all about sharing the joy and tradition of Irish folk music. Whether you've been playing for years or are just picking up an instrument, we offer classes that meet you where you're at and help you grow. We focus on building a welcoming community of music lovers who want to learn, play, and connect through the sounds of Ireland.

Visit our Facebook Page for the latest information on all our extracurricular activities.

Location and School Year Dates

In-person classes are held on Saturdays, beginning at 9:00 am at :

Grace United Methodist Church
2221 Slane Avenue
Norwood, OH

Dates for the 2025-26 school year are -

Fall Quarter : 6 SEP - 8 NOV
Winter Quarter : 3 JAN - 7 MAR
Spring Quarter : 21 MAR - 2 MAY

Registration generally opens about a month before classes begin.

Fall Quarter Registration is Now Open!

Registration is open for Fall Quarter 2025, which starts September 6th. Remember to register by Saturday, August 30, 2025 to avoid the late payment fee.

Enjoy a FREE Trial Class

Thinking about taking the next step in your musical journey? Our Fall Quarter kicks off on September 6, 2025. We're offering a FREE trial class for new students on September 6th only. It's a great way to dip your toes in and see if learning Irish music feels like the right fit for you—no commitment necessary!

How to Sign Up for Your Free Trial Class

Check out the available classes on our Class Schedule Page
Shoot us an email at
Let us know what instrument you're interested in

Seats are limited, so be sure to grab your spot soon!

Bonus: Join Us for a Free Community Lunch

After your trial class, stick around for a free lunch at noon and a chance to chat with other students and the Riley teaching team. We'll also have a few short performances to give you a taste of what's in store. Meat and vegetarian options are available for lunch.

The late fee will be refunded for new students who register on the first day of classes.

Don't Want to Wait? You Can Register Now

If you're sure you're ready to jump into Irish music or you're an existing student who has been with us for a while, visit our Class Schedule Page and/or and Register Now.

Upcoming Events

SummerCéilí - August 21, 22

Riley School will be partnering with the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra and the Irish Heritage Center to present SummerCéilí, a special installment of the Chamber Crawl series. The Chamber Crawl concerts, featuring Liz Knowles, Kieran O'Hare, Randy Clepper, and our own John Skelton, will take place at the IHC on Thursday and Friday nights, August 21 and 22.

A Saturday concert will take place at the Cincinnati School For Creative & Performing Arts (108 W. Central Parkway) on August 23, and SCPA is offering student tickets and kids under 13 are free with a paying adult.

On Sunday, August 24, the performers will be offering a day-long workshop package featuring multiple classes, which includes light refreshments and beverages.

Current Sessions

For up to date information on all our sessions, please contact to be added to the Cincinnati Sessions Facebook Messenger group, or to be added to the Dayton Session Facebook Messenger group.
Check out our Community Sessions Page for information about our regularly scheduled Irish music sessions.

Celebrating our 25th Anniversary

Watch our Anniversary Video