Sea shanties are traditional work songs sailors sang to coordinate their labor aboard ships. These songs are primarily call-and-response, and participants will join in by singing the response. Sailors were not renowned for their singing abilities, so no singing experience or skill is required. All voices are welcome! This class is about cooperation, community, and having fun, not competition.

John Knight, who goes by the name Billy O'Riley, is originally from Liverpool, England. He has been singing sea shanties since childhood, when he first learned them in school. Billy's goal is to create a fun, interactive group experience where everyone joins in. His sessions are not performances to watch, but an opportunity for participants to sing together and enjoy the spirit of traditional sea shanties as a community.