Groton Irish Dance offers classes that incorporate both sean-nós and old style step dancing with a focus on close to the floor footwork and improvisation.

Groton Irish Dance is led by dancer Kara Howgate-Mello. Kara began dancing in 2009 under the direction of Kieran Jordan, initially concentrating on step dancing but quickly expanding her focus to include sean-nós (old style) dance. Her repertoire is grounded in traditional steps from the south and west of Ireland and draws on both improvisation and formal step dances. Kara’s influences have spanned both sides of the Atlantic and she has learned directly from dance masters Michael Tubridy and Patrick O’Dea and teachers Kieran Jordan, Rebecca McGowan, Edwina Guckian, Annette Collins, and Kevin Doyle. Kara has performed at numerous gatherings in the Boston area and most recently served as faculty assistant at The Acadia Festival of Traditional Music & Dance. Prior to teaching in Groton, she taught classes through CCÉ Boston Music School.