Jeremy Wade
Jeremy Wade is a dynamic educator, composer, and performer based in Central Kentucky. He serves as the percussion instructor for Transylvania University and Lexington Christian Academy, and as a teaching artist for the Lexington Philharmonic. Jeremy teaches dance for the Kentucky McTeggart Irish Dancers (KMID) and is Co-Director of the Kentucky Irish Music Academy. A seasoned clinician, Jeremy has presented over 40 bodhrán workshops at schools/ festivals throughout the region, including the 2024 PAS Day of Percussion in KY and TN.
As a performer, Jeremy plays bodhrán as one half of Irish trad duo, Set Course, and serves as an accompanist at local feiseanna and céilí events. He is the principal percussionist for the Central Kentucky Concert Band, and regularly plays drumset for local churches and pit orchestras. He studies Irish dance with KMID and performs as a member of their faculty dance company. Jeremy holds an MAT (Integrated Music P-12) from the University of the Cumberlands.
As a performer, Jeremy plays bodhrán as one half of Irish trad duo, Set Course, and serves as an accompanist at local feiseanna and céilí events. He is the principal percussionist for the Central Kentucky Concert Band, and regularly plays drumset for local churches and pit orchestras. He studies Irish dance with KMID and performs as a member of their faculty dance company. Jeremy holds an MAT (Integrated Music P-12) from the University of the Cumberlands.
Developing Your Bodhrán Toolkit
Session Description:
Every percussionist has a built-in musical toolkit – a functional vocabulary of musical concepts. Regardless of whether you are just beginning your journey or have been performing for years, you can leverage your preexisting knowledge to effectively play the bodhrán in a variety of contexts.
In this workshop, we will explore how several fundamental elements of bodhrán performance can be combined with our own personal experiences in fresh and creative ways. We will begin with a crash course in technique before digging into an analysis of an Irish reel. As we develop our accompaniment of the tune, we will learn how to play a basic “motor rhythm,” and discuss methods for incorporating space, voicing, sticking, and ornamentation to bring the music to life.
There will be a selection of drums and sticks available for participants, but you are welcome to bring your own bodhrán/ frame drum!
In this workshop, we will explore how several fundamental elements of bodhrán performance can be combined with our own personal experiences in fresh and creative ways. We will begin with a crash course in technique before digging into an analysis of an Irish reel. As we develop our accompaniment of the tune, we will learn how to play a basic “motor rhythm,” and discuss methods for incorporating space, voicing, sticking, and ornamentation to bring the music to life.
There will be a selection of drums and sticks available for participants, but you are welcome to bring your own bodhrán/ frame drum!
Session Category:
- World
Date:
Thursday, November 13, 2025
Time:
5:00 PM
Location:
Room 205
Session Type:
Workshop
Session Format:
Live
