Your journey starts here
As you’ll clearly see from the various images of me playing throughout this site, learning the bagpipes has taken me to all sorts of places I’d never have anticipated when my father first asked me if I wanted to learn.
Learning the pipes has been a truly transformative experience for me—one that I hope to provide with many others. So if you love the pipes and are eager to learn, please Get In Touch!
Piping may be a passion of mine, but so is teaching.
I’ve performed all over North America for a wide-array of audiences large and small. The experience of entertaining others is truly a wondrous one to behold, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed them all.
In my own way though, the experiences I’ve enjoyed most have been those where I’ve been able to share the bagpipes in a more intimate and in-depth fashion—teaching.
Don’t get me wrong, the roar from a crowd of hundreds before your stage is certainly thrilling to say the very least. For me though, such things pale in comparison to seeing a student’s eyes widen when they’ve discovered or conquered something new.
I do my utmost to keep lessons affordable. I’m also happy to discuss reductions for lessons bought in bulk ahead of time, group lessons, etc. So if you’re interested, please get in touch and I’m sure we can figure something out.
Some folks tell me that I don’t charge enough. To that, I say “maybe.” However, I do have my reasons—I don’t just pick numbers out the air. Sure, “time is money,” and I have bills to pay just like anyone else—but that doesn’t mean that I want folks looking to pursue piping to have to shell out a fortune.
I want to encourage people to get going, and to keep going in learning this awesome instrument. Setting an exorbitant rates tends to do the opposite, and that’s not good for anyone.
Local or Less-Local …
… technology makes magic happen
I’m a big proponent of lessons in person, however we live in a day and age where there are many possibilities present.
If you live around the area of eastern Massachusetts (the North Shore area in particular), I highly recommend in-person lessons. Quite plainly, it’s just easier for both parties.
Otherwise, lessons via services such as Skype or Facetime are absolutely a viable alternative, and there’s the added bonus of neither of us having to go anywhere.
So Get In Touch with me, and let’s talk.
Use this site as a resource …
… and check back often
As I mention over at How To Get Started, all you need in order to get going is a practice chanter, a willingness to learn, and love of the bagpipes. I can help with the rest.
If you’re wondering where things might go after you get started, I’ve worked hard to fill this website up with lots and lots of information. Here’s a short list of some of the info you’ll find on this site:
- How To Get Started
Here I introduce you to the first instrument you’ll need to start—the practice chanter. They’re easy to find, and relatively inexpensive
– - Things We’ll Cover
Here I give you a rough outline of what the process of learning looks like.
– - How Much Do Things Cost?
The practice chanter gets you going, but eventually you’ll need to pick up more stuff as you progress, like your own set of pipes, for instance. In this section of pages, I introduce you to some of the stuff you’ll possibly need to pick up here and there, and why.
– - Getting To Know The Bagpipes
What the parts of the bagpipes are called, what they do, why they do what they do … I get into all of this and more in this section of pages. I’ll talk about Bagpipe Anatomy, and I’ll also focus on the differences between the various types of bagpipes I play and teach: Highland pipes and small/border pipes.