About
Learn to play the Great Highland Bagpipes in a year. Fun, simple and engaging lessons that will help you learn to play the Bagpipes with confidence and musicality.
I have been playing the Bagpipes since I was 8 years old and have played with two bands, a local community band and a competition band, competing and playing professionally for the last 25 years. Many of my students have won medals in solo competition and have played alongside myself with bands like the World Famous Chieftan's. Recently, during the pandemic, my students have placed 1st and 3rd in the World Online Bagpipe and Drumming Competition! My key instructors have been Sandy Jones, Michel D'avenas and Jori Chisholm, all of whom are renowned pipers and Pipe Majors.
Teaching Style
My teaching style is very patient and flexible and I personalize it to each student to accommodate their learning style. I have taught students of all ages and levels from 7 years to 70 years with successful results. My goal is the student's goal whether they want to play for fun or become a successful competitor or band member. My students have won awards in online competitions and in person competitions and have completed credentialed examinations through the National Piping Centre in Glasgow. Some of students have also played with the world famous Chieftans and enjoyed live stage performances!
My students have been able to successfully join and play with their local bands becoming the top pipers in their bands. Their success is my success!
Curriculum
I use Beginning the Bagpipe written by my first instructor, P/M Sandy Jones, which is a very good introduction to learning on the Practice Chanter.
The Highland Bagpipe Tutor Book from the National Piping Centre in Glasgow, Scotland
The Scots Guards Books, Volumes 1-3
Jim McGillivray's, Rhythmic Fingerwork for intermediate and advanced students
Jim McGillivray's, Piobairachd Fingerwork for Ceol Mor music
Credentials & Affiliations
Pipe Major for Junior Ensemble
Jan, 2014 - Dec, 2018
Bagpiper Catherine P Ensemble
Created a junior ensemble from a select group of students to perform at local community events in order to teach them band craft and skills including marching, playing in unison and performing solo and as a band for a variety of audiences.
Pipe Sergeant
Jan, 2017 - Nov, 2018
Monterey Bay Pipes and Drums
Pipe Sergeant of the Monterey Bay Pipes and Drums. Lead instructor of local community Pipe Band, Central Coast Pipes and Drums in California.
Music Instructor
Sep, 2016 - Sep, 2018
Cuesta College
I taught a series of workshop style Bagpipe classes through the Community Education Program at Cuesta College, from Beginning the Bagpipe to Intermediate bagpipe classes to college age and retired adult students with fantastic results!
Member of the EUSPBA
Member of the WSPBA
Member of The CLASP
Literacy Tutor
Laubach
April 1990
Certified as a Laubach Literacy Tutor
B.A. in Philosophy from George Mason University