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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 is currently ranked 3rd in the world. Zephan also competes as a soloist all over North America and in Scotland. He has competed at the Argyllshire Gathering in Oban and the Northern Meeting in Inverness several times, winning prizes in both Light Music and Piobaireachd. 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.
Alexis, drums
Chris, drums
Instructor Zephan Knichel has been a grade one band player since 2003. He formerly played with Alberta Caledonia and is currently in his ninth season with the SFU Pipe Band. Zephan is an active solo competitor in North America and Scotland. In 2022 Zephan won the Boney Invitational and was the runner up for the BCPA Open Piping Grand Aggregate Award. Zephan made the prize list in several competitions in Scotland, was the Champion Piper at the Crieff Highland Gathering and won the “B” grade Hornpipe/Jig at the Northern Meeting in Inverness. Zephan is a full time bagpipe instructor. He was an instructor with the RMM organization for 7 seasons and continues to lend a hand when he is in town. Zephan is a regular instructor at the Piping Hot Summer Drummer schools.
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.
Kevin Auld ia 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 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.
