I was born in Colorado in 1985 and moved to Wyoming when I was young. At 12, my family moved to Maine and
I got my first practice chanter at age 14 in 1999. I'd like to acknowledge a local piper, Bob Underwood, who first introduced
me to the pipes.
A year later I was under the tutelage of John Ryan, a piper from the ex U.S. Air Force Band that played for Kennedy's
funeral. John was a full-time piper for years, and taught me until mid 2002 in Maine when I was ready to continue advancing.
I owe John nearly everything I've got in terms of my piping.
After a couple of dominant seasons in Grade 3 solos, I joined the Tulach Ard Pipe Band in Boston (Grade 2) in October
of 2002. I played on with the band for three years up until the present. In 2003, I was regraded to Grade 2 solos.
During that time, I gained experience in a Grade 2 pipe corps, and took lessons from Jake Watson of the 78th Frasers, who
was working with the band. In 2004, I went up to Grade 1 for solos after a strong year in Grade 2.
I am in my undergraduate studies finishing up my medical biology degree. I am involved in research in the fields
of molecular microbiology and genetics. I am also a peer tutor/ T.A. Needless to say, I had very little time to
compete on the circuit in 2005.
For 2006, I will be living in Sydney, Australia from May through the end of July practicing with the City of Blacktown
Pipe Band (Grade 1). I will be travelling with this band to Scotland in August to compete at six competitions including
the Grade 1 World Pipe Band Championship. Other competitions
will include: The European Championships at Gouroch, Dundonald (Ayrshire), North Berwick, the Bridge of Allan, and Perth.
Hopefully I can devote myself to solos in the future and look forward towards the Professional or "Open" grade.
Of course, I'll just have 4 years of med school and who knows how many years of residency.
