Sean-nós dance, in Irish meaning the old style, is an ancient form of solo Irish dancing. It is a casual dance form, as opposed to the more formal and competition-oriented form of Irish stepdance.
Sean-nós dance is characterised by its “low to the ground” footwork, improvised steps, free movement of the arms, and an emphasis upon a “battering step” (which sounds out more loudly the accented beat of the music). By its nature, it follows the music closely. It is traditionally a solo dance form. Because sean-nós dancing is improvisational, it is not necessary for a pre-arranged routine or choreography to be decided upon by the dancer. Spontaneous expression is highly valued. Therefore, it is less common to see groups performing synchronised sean-nós dance (which requires choreography in advance). Instead, the dancers may dance in turns, playing off the energy of the other.
One of the most relevant dancer in this style is Emma O’Sullivan. Emma is from Connemara, Co. Galway in the West of Ireland. An All-Ireland Champion, she has toured the globe with many of the top names in traditional Irish music. She is an experienced workshop facilitator and has spent over 10 years sharing this beautiful tradition.
Emma is best known for her energetic street performances and viral videos which have been shared by over 20 million people worldwide.
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