My Piping Career

My piping career began the day I started college. After 9 years of playing the trumpet, I didn’t want anything to do with the band, and instead of losing my musical experience altogether, the band director suggested I try the pipes. I wasn’t very pleased with the idea, but gave in and started taking lessons from Burt Mitchell, then the part-time instructor of the VMI Pipes & Drums.

After about 7 months I could play a few tunes without sounding terrible, and I was starting to enjoy myself. That summer VMI sent me to Scotland to participate in the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, and that trip was what really sparked my interest in piping. Since then I’ve made it a point to make my pipes sound their best, learn and play tunes and embellishments correctly, compete solo and with bands, meet new piping people, and most of all have fun.

My first solo competition was in July of 2001 at the Virginia Scottish Games in Alexandria, then twice the following year. After somewhat of a break, I resumed my competitions in April 2004, moved up to Grade 3 for 2005, and was upgraded to Grade 2 for 2007.

Click here for a separate page describing the instruments and uniform that make up my ensemble.

Where I’ve played

I have piped in most states on the Atlantic coast, and others as well. Since I started traveling and playing, I set a goal to visit and play in each of the 50 states. I still have a long way to go, but it's something to work for. Click here to read more about this endeavor and track my progress.

Instructors

Burt Mitchell, Roanoke, VA August 1998 - May 2002
Lyric Todkill, Pittsburgh, PA, October 2003 - March 2005
Dan Cole, Pittsburgh, PA, March - July, 2005
Jason Barth, Westminster, MD, October 2005 - July 2006
Peter Kent, Montpelier, VT, December 2006 - Present

Bands

VMI Pipes & Drums, Lexington, VA, August 1998 - May 2002
Baltimore City Pipe Band, Baltimore, MD, May - August 2000
Macdonald Pipe Band, Pittsburgh, PA, April 2003 - August 2006
Graham Highlanders of St. Johnsbury Academy, St. Johnsbury, VT,
December 2006 - Present

Workshops

Delco Workshop, Baltimore, MD, February 2005.

Instructors: Alasdair Gillies, June Hanley, Chris Hamilton, Jim Wark, John Wassman

Piping Centre Summer School, Winchester, VA, June 2006.

Instructors: Bruce Gandy, Finlay MacDonald, Roddy MacLeod, Gavin Stoddart. **Awarded the College of Piping Intermediate Certificate**

Piping Centre Summer School, Winchester, VA, June 2007

Instructors: Lorne Cousin, Stuart Liddell, Simon McKerrell, Roddy MacLeod

Bagpipe and Drum Cruise, Miami, FL, Mexico and points in between, December 2007

Instructor: Ken "The Captain" Eller