Untitled

I began taking lessons on the Great Highland Bagpipe at the age of 12 in January, 1989. My first teacher was Bob Lilley of Port Huron(former Pipe Major of the Chrysler Pipe Band). Bob gave me a great start and then sent me to Pipe Major Dave Martin of the St. Andrew's Pipe Band of Detroit for advanced instruction. Dave is a well known and respected professional piper and judge in the U.S. and Canadian competition circuits. I have received most of my instruction from Dave, including both light music and the classical piobaireachd. I have also attended many workshops and seminars of various other well known instructors. Those include Alisdair Gillies, Bill Livingstone, Archie Cairns, James McGillivary, and Ed Neigh to name a few.

With the knowledge I accumulated; I have competed successfully in the Midwest and Ontario, winning many solo competitions from Grade IV to Grade I. I also play in the competition band of St. Andrew's Pipe Band of Detroit; a successful Grade III band. I was a member when we won the coveted Champion Supreme award in 1994 for the winningest band in the Piper's and Pipe Band Society of Ontario for Grade III.

I have played weddings, funerals, birthday parties, anniversaries, and other engagements for over 18 years. Rarely a weekend goes by where I'm not either competing at the Highland Games or playing for some other occasion. I also play for highland dancers. Highland dancers are an excellent addition to parties and wedding receptions espescially.

I can arrange for highland dancers, a drummer accompanyment, a mini-band(consisting of 3-4 pipers and 2 drummers) or the whole band(6-10 pipes and 3-4 drums). If I'm not available for some reason, I can arrange for one of our other very capable pipers to play for most occasions. I can be reached by email at apiperdown@msn.com, or by phone at (810)324-2392. For funerals, please call me asap.

Pricing depends on many things so call or e-mail for an idea of cost.