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I started playing the pipes at age 13. I've played in quite a few pipe bands since then. Currently playing with 2 bands, Roisin Dubh from East Islip, NY and Manchester Pipe Band from CT.
When I was growing up I can remember my mom playing albums of traditional Irish music as well as pipe bands. She had a love for Irish music and was a champion Irish dancer. I guess she wanted her kids to enjoy this music just as she did. For me I was young and unwilling to hear it and initially turned off by it. However, that all changed when I heard the pipes in person for the first time.
Our house was on a road off a major route. Every 4th of July a parade was held on that route and the bands would line up on our block. There were firemen, fire trucks, marching bands, and of course pipe bands. I always loved the 4th of July because there was always so much excitement going on!
I'd walk up to the parade route and watch as all the bands went by. However when the pipe bands would make their way up the block it would send chills up the back of my neck and all the hair on my arms stood up! There was just something unique about it and it was at that point I thought it was neat!
My father and older sister must have felt the same way because they took up learning the pipes. In the following years I'd watch the same parade but now with them in it! I guess I felt left out and approached my sister about going down to their band practice. To my surprise I was started with a great teacher who showed me all the basics correctly and I picked it up fast.
I continued taking lessons with my teacher for about 2 years. At the same time I entered solo competitions and left my band for one that competed. I quickly moved up the solo ranks to grade II which is where I'm at today. I haven't taken private lessons for years and much of what I've learned about tuning, bags, moisture control, tone, steady blowing, and reeds has been self taught. I credit that to my band Roisin Dubh.
I am currently Pipe Sergeant of Roisin Dubh, a position I love and am very grateful to have received! Because I was given permission to work with the other pipers in the band I've learned the inner workings of the pipes and pipe bands. I've been tooling around with setting up the band for years and that has given me a great deal of experience that many never have. I currently instruct the band and lead the competition corp. We get better every year in differnet ways. They are a great group of people! I've played with many other bands and nobody comes close!
I love to teach and have a few private students. I love to work with bands as well. If anyone in the NY, Long Island area is looking for lessons please feel free to contact me at; pipecraze@yahoo.com
I'm also looking to work with other musicians such as a bass player, keyboardist, and drummer.
Bands:
Siol Na h'Eireann Pipe Band May 1994-Nov 1995
Saffron Kilts Pipe Band Sep 1999-Dec 2000
Kenmure Pipe Band Nov 2003-Nov 2005
Roisin Dubh Irish Pipe Band Nov 1995-Present
Manchester Pipe Band CT Nov 2005-Present
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