I have been playing the bagpipes since about 1994-the exact year I don't recall. I began my initial instruction from David Barclay in Bountiful, Utah and was a long time member of the Utah Pipe Band grade III. I also received instruction from Jori Chisholm (member of Simon Fraser University Pipe Band) for about two years via web-cam and microphone. For a short time I became the P/M of Utah Pipe Band grade IV, which was one of the most difficult things I've done within pipe bands. Since then, I've gone on to become one of the founding members of the Wasatch and District Pipe Band, was the Chairman of the Music Committee for 3 years, and am now the band's instructor and a contributing member of the Music Committee. For a two year period I was a member of the Prince Charles Pipe Band (grade I) based in San Francisco, California, and In the fall of 2007 joined the Dowco Triumph Street Pipe Band of Vancouver, Canada. I receive my tuition from the P/S of the Scottish Lion-78th Fraser Highlanders and double gold medallist-the 11th person to have ever won both gold medals in the same year and the only one from outside of Scotland- John Cairns and compete at the grade I level.
Private Lessons:
I teach beginning-intermediate pipers so long as there's a strong interest and willingness to work. I currently have limited availability to teach but am willing to take on new students who are serious about learning to play.
Group Piobaireachd Workshops:
*OPEN- The Field of Gold Dates TBD*
With the rising interest in piobaireachd by the global piping community and more recently within the local community I've decided to start teaching piobaireachd in group lessons. The great thing about this is, no previous experience with piobaireachd is needed. I teach the:
- structure
- presentation
- and the approach to understanding piobaireachd as a musical form.
Classes will be taught in 8 1-week sessions starting at 6:30 pm on Monday nights, and will be capped off at 5 students per session. This means there will be 8 lessons each lasting from 1-1 1/2 hours. Tunes will be picked by me before each session starts and announced in this section of the website along with the session dates. Once the class is full I will announce this on the main page and send out a learning schedule to those in the class via email.
Please keep checking back for more information in order to stay updated on classes!
Band Workshops:
My experience in pipe bands and pipe band leadership has given me a strong foundation in setting up and teaching bands. I have gained extensive guidance from many top level bandsmen and pipers. I'm available for:
- Setting up a pipe section (quality and stability of the instrument)
- Music Selection (construction of sets, transitioning, writing harmonies)
- Improving technique and unison playing of pipe section
Cost:
- For private instruction I teach from my home and charge $20/hour lesson.
- Group Piobaireachd- $15/class paid at the beginning of each month ($10/class for private students doing the class additionally).
- Prices for band workshops are subject to change based on: travel time & each day of teaching
Any further inquiries please don't hesitate to contact me.
