I live in the Cincinnati area and found this website: http://www.rileyirishmusic.com
Do any of you have experience with Riley’s School? Or know anyone who has? Seems like it would be a great time had by all, but I just wanted to hear your thoughts.
FYI I’m a complete newbie
Seeing that no one else has answered yet…
I’d say try it.
I recognize the names of the two flute instructors. Dave Copley hangs around here on C&F and the name John Skelton is familiar.
Dave Copley also teaches the Whistle 2 class, according to the schedule.
Maybe try sending Dave Copley a Private Message or email and ask him what he thinks of Riley’s School?
What is the alternative? Irish music is a niche hobby, and most Midwest/West cities aren’t exactly overflowing with teachers and related social activities.
Instruction? Check. Opportunity to make musical friends and play with others? Check. Lots of us do not have such an opportunity. Grab hold with both hands and jump on in, IMO.
He can play a bit. 
Frankly, opportunities to learn with a teacher like John Skelton are not to be missed.
See his discography at thesession.org:
https://thesession.org/recordings/search?q=John+Skelton
He was also a member of THE HOUSE BAND, and was on a number of their CDs.
His own solo recordings are well worth having, but I especially enjoy the ones with Kieran O’Hare - lots of duets on flute & whistle.
Dave Copley is also a well-known flute maker, and shouldn’t have any problem handling the beginners.
Wow, I didn’t realize some of the instructors were so well known.
Btw, I did sign up, classes begin a week from tomorrow, weather permitting
I would consider signing up, but Cincinnati is a bit far for me to drive. Hope the weather cooperates, and you enjoy the courses.
Saturday was the first day of the winter semester and I have to say I was really impressed. Everyone was very nice and laid back. I guess its because everyone was there for the same reasons: to learn and participate in the tradition. I learned a lot in class, and learned almost as much talking with people after class. There were impromptu bands playing before and after lunch, which is aided by the fact that all classes learn the same songs for the most part (on their respective instruments).
Singer Brian Hart did some unaccompanied irish singing. He’s the only American to ever win at All-Ireland Fleadh in men’s singing. That was also very interesting and the first time I’d heard that done live.
Overall I highly recommend it to anyone who is within reasonable distance, I drive about 40 minutes to get there but I’d happily drive twice that to participate