Introduction

Short Biography of Ryan Duns, SJ

A native of Cleveland, Ohio Ryan has been playing and performing the tin whistle for over twenty years. Too uncoordinated to enroll in an Irish dancing class, his parents placed him under the tutelage of Tom Hastings from whom Ryan learned both the tin whistle and the accordion. He attended St. Ignatius High School in Cleveland, earned a BA in Religious Studies at Canisius College, and Master of Arts in Religious Studies from John Carroll University. He entered the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) in August, 2004. He currently lives in the Bronx where he is earning a Master.s degree in philosophy at Fordham University. In addition to studying philosophy, he teaches a one-credit course for the Irish Studies department entitled 'Introduction to the Irish Tin Whistle'.

He has taught the tin whistle for over ten years and counts teaching Irish music as one of his great passions. For the past seven years, he has been actively involved in the world of Irish step dancing, playing the accordion at many feiseanna (Irish dancing competitions) throughout the United States and Canada.

You can find his blog, "A Jesuit's Journey" at http://ryandunssj.blogspot.com/.

Week 1: Introduction & Mary Had a Little Lamb

In this lesson, you'll learn the basic notes and fingerings of the Tin Whistle, including your basic D scale, as well as learn the mysterious and elusive "Mary Had a Little Lamb." ;)

Week 2: Dawning of the Day

This lesson reviews how to hold your whistle, the parts of your hand with which to play and breathing technique. Ryan will also teach you the tune 'Dawning of the Day'. Music can be found here on The Session.