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Experience first-hand the power and sonority of the instrument while gaining a fundamental understanding of this enigmatic Scottish art form.
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Please join us for our Orientation and Instructor Concert, Thursday, September 24, at 6:00 PM at the Littlefield Celtic Center!
Are you a new piper? Are you curious about piping but unsure it's the right fit? Are you a returning student eager to learn what's new and hear some music? All are warmly welcomed! Stop by to meet your instructors, learn about our programs, enjoy pipe tunes, and mingle!
Have you ever wanted to learn the Bagpipes? This ancient Scottish instrument evokes an incomparable emotional response among listeners and performers alike. In terms of traditional instruments, the Great Highland Bagpipe might stand alone due the duality that exists between the instrument itself and the music the instrument produces. The functionality of the instrument can seem mysterious and complex, yet the sound produced by the bagpipe is almost instantly recognizable. In this course you will experience first-hand the power and sonority of the instrument while gaining a fundamental understanding of this enigmatic Scottish art form. No prior musical experience is required, just a willingness to learn and have fun.
In this course you will:
Youth Programs Offered:
Beginner Youth
Continuing Youth
Adult & Teen Programs Offered for Fall 2026
Practice Chanter Classes
Learn the fundamentals and build your piping skills before progressing to the full bagpipes.
* Students must have completed Level 5 Chanter or have instructor permission to take this course. The curriculum is designed for students to enroll in Advanced Chanter and Adult/Teen Highland Pipes together.
Bagpipes Classes
Continue your progression on Highland pipes or explore other Scottish piping traditions.
* Students must have completed Level 5 Chanter or have instructor permission to take this course. The curriculum is designed for students to enroll in Advanced Chanter and Adult/Teen Highland Pipes together.
** Students must have completed Level 3 Chanter, have been piping consistently for at least one year, or have instructor permission. Students who need a loaner Smallpipes goose instrument must indicate that need on the registration form. Otherwise, students should bring their own bellows-blown or mouth-blown Scottish smallpipes, goose, shuttle pipes, or similar instrument.
NEW! Drum Classes
Learn the drumming skills that accompany pipe bands.
Class Schedule Day + Times:
Tuesdays
Thursdays
Dates:
Bagpipes for Beginners Orientation and Instructor Concert, Thursday, September 24, 6:00 PM
Class Dates:
Tuesday Cohort: Sept. 29; Oct. 6, 13, 20, 27; Nov. 3, 10, 17; Dec. 1 (Bonus Class)
Thursday Cohort: Oct. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; Nov. 5, 12, 19; Dec. 3 (Bonus Class)
Thanksgiving Break: No classes Nov. 24 or 26.
Student Performance: Save the date for our Pie & a Pint student performance on Saturday, Dec. 5.
If you are registering for two or three bagpipe programs this fall (same student, multiple class series not including drop-in classes), the 2nd and 3rd courses will be 1/2 price.
Anyone enrolled in a chanter class, may attend any other chanter class for free!
Tuition includes fall quarter classes (September/October through December), printed materials to keep, and the use of a practice chanter to use during the series (and to take home for practice during the series).
If you or your student would like to register and have questions about which class is right for you, please email Jodie@CelticArts.org
If you or your student would like to register and need financial assistance, please email Cayley@CelticArts.org
If you would like to make a donation to support his program, please click here.
Zephan Knichel, pipes - Instructor Zephan Knichel has been actively teaching the bagpipes for over 20 years. He is a veteran member of the world-renowned Simon Fraser University Pipe Band and competes with them every Summer at the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow, Scotland. The SFU Pipe Band are the 2026 World Champions! Zephan also competes as a soloist all over North America and in Scotland. He regularly competes at the Argyllshire Gathering in Oban and the Northern Meeting in Inverness. In 2026 Zephan won the Silver Medal for Piobaireachd at Oban, won the “B” Hornpipe/Jig at Inverness, and was the overall champion piper at the Royal Braemar Gathering. Zephan works full-time teaching individuals, group classes, pipe bands, and at various piping schools all over North America
Vienna Scheyer, pipes - Vienna Scheyer plays bagpipes with the grade 2 Cascadia Pipe Band in Seattle. Her first instrument is the fiddle, and she plays smallpipes too. She brings a unique perspective with one foot in the pipe band world and the other in traditional music and aims to give students a foundation to enjoy playing music in whatever settings they find fulfilling.
Kevin Auld, pipes - Kevin Auld is a full-time instructor and performer of the Scottish Highland Bagpipes in and around Seattle, Washington. I am the Band Director for the Northwest Junior Pipe Band as well as teaching private lessons, group lessons, workshops and performing for all types of events.
Kyle McGarity-Gaul, pipes - Kyle McGarity-Gaul is a bagpiper and co-founder of the Cascadia Pipe Band in Seattle Washington. Growing up learning from the Northwest Junior Pipe Band and studying music at Whitworth University prepared him for a life of performing and teaching. Kyle competes actively in grade one piping solos and instructs the CPB grade IV band. In the spare time they enjoy jamming with friends, learning new instruments, and kayaking.
Chris Nickerson, snare drum - Chris Nickerson has been a snare drummer with the Cascadia Pipe Band since 2023. Hailing from a pipe band family, Chris had been instilled with a love for the music from a young age. He got his start with the Columbia Regional Pipe Band, later going on to play in bands in the Portland Metro, Robert Malcom Memorial, and Cascadia organizations. In the past he has instructed the Portland Metro Youth Pipe Band and currently is an instructor for the Cascadia Grade IV. In his off time he enjoys skiing, classic cars, and playing music with friends.
Alexis Hagen, tenor drum - Alexis is the current instructor for the Grade 4 Cascadia Pipe Band, and has also taught and volunteered with NWJPB, and RMM pipe bands. She has been tenor drumming since 2009, and is an accomplished solo player, most recently winning the 2025 Open Grand Aggregate in the BCPA. Alexis has a great deal of band experience as well, having played in three Grade 1 bands by the age of 22. She brings a fun and unique style of teaching from having so many different band experiences. Alexis is also a bagpiper, giving the drumming students an even more clear and diverse understanding in how to accompany in solo and band settings.
Instructor Zephan Knichel has been actively teaching the bagpipes for over 20 years. He is a veteran member of the world-renowned Simon Fraser University Pipe Band and competes with them every Summer at the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow, Scotland. The SFU Pipe Band are the 2026 World Champions! Zephan also competes as a soloist all over North America and in Scotland. He regularly competes at the Argyllshire Gathering in Oban and the Northern Meeting in Inverness. In 2026 Zephan won the Silver Medal for Piobaireachd at Oban, won the “B” Hornpipe/Jig at Inverness, and was the overall champion piper at the Royal Braemar Gathering. Zephan works full-time teaching individuals, group classes, pipe bands, and at various piping schools all over North America
Vienna plays bagpipes with the grade 2 Cascadia Pipe Band in Seattle. Her first instrument is the fiddle, and she plays smallpipes too. She brings a unique perspective with one foot in the pipe band world and the other in traditional music, and aims to give students a foundation to enjoy playing music in whatever settings they find fulfilling.
For four decades, Kevin Auld has been playing and teaching bagpipes to students of all ages and abilities in Western Washington. Kevin is a full-time instructor and performer of the Scottish Highland bagpipes in and around Seattle. He began piping as a student at Shorecrest High School in Shoreline, WA, and later returned as an adult to direct the school's piping program for 20 years. Currently the Director of the Northwest Junior Pipe Band—Washington’s only competitive youth pipe band—Kevin has introduced hundreds of young musicians to the pipe band world over the past 30 years. Under his leadership, Northwest Junior has earned multiple BC Pipers' Association Grand Aggregate trophies in Grade 4, as well as prestigious awards overseas, including 1st place at the Perth Highland Games, 3rd at the European Championships, and 5th at the World Pipe Band Championships. Additionally, Kevin has served on the teaching faculty for both the renowned Piping Hot Summer Drummer camp and the Celtic Arts Winter School. Locally, Kevin’s students compete and perform across all levels, from Grade 5 to Open-Professional. His current and former students can also be found playing with pipe bands across North America and Scotland. Kevin’s teaching methodology focuses on building a solid foundation of technique and instrument control, allowing students to learn and master tunes with greater ease. As a performer, he has recorded in-studio with rock bands and orchestras, performed on stage at Benaroya Hall, and contributed to independent and Hollywood film scores. Beyond the Highland bagpipes, Kevin plays Scottish smallpipes and whistle, frequently performing alongside his wife, Melanie, on fiddle and piano.
Kyle McGarity-Gaul is a bagpiper and co-founder of the Cascadia Pipe Band in Seattle Washington. Growing up learning from the Northwest Junior Pipe Band and studying music at Whitworth University prepared him for a life of performing and teaching. Kyle competes actively in grade one piping solos and instructs the CPB grade IV band. In the spare time they enjoy jamming with friends, learning new instruments, and kayaking.
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Chris Nickerson has been a snare drummer with the Cascadia Pipe Band since 2023. Hailing from a pipe band family, Chris had been instilled with a love for the music from a young age. He got his start with the Columbia Regional Pipe Band, later going on to play in bands in the Portland Metro, Robert Malcom Memorial, and Cascadia organizations. In the past he has instructed the Portland Metro Youth Pipe Band and currently is an instructor for the Cascadia Grade IV. In his off time he enjoys skiing, classic cars, and playing music with friends.
Alexis is the current instructor for the Grade 4 Cascadia Pipe Band, and has also taught and volunteered with NWJPB, and RMM pipe bands. She has been tenor drumming since 2009, and is an accomplished solo player, most recently winning the 2025 Open Grand Aggregate in the BCPA. Alexis has a great deal of band experience as well, having played in three Grade 1 bands by the age of 22. She brings a fun and unique style of teaching from having so many different band experiences. Alexis is also a bagpiper, giving the drumming students an even more clear and diverse understanding in how to accompany in solo and band settings
