Shadle Park High School Pipe Band and Highland Dancers - 2021-Present

WA Army National Guard - 2018-Present

U.S. Army - 2013-2017

Shadle Park High School - Class of 2008

I was born in New Hampshire, but grew up in Spokane and am proud to call it home! I started playing bagpipes when I was a senior at Shadle Park High School and have loved every moment of it. While serving in the Army I performed at several memorial services, as well as overseas in Afghanistan playing for service men and women while deployed. I continue to serve in the WA Army National Guard one weekend a month, and two weeks during the Summer. In 2021 I started volunteering to teach bagpipes at Shadle Park High School during the COVID-19 pandemic, and in 2023 took over as head coach of the Pipe Band and Highland Dancers.

I joined the Army in 2013 as a 42R - Army Bandsperson to play drums, and continue to play drums with the 133d Army Band at Camp Murray, WA. At the U.S. Army School of Music in Virginia Beach, VA our graduation ceremony as an Army Bandsperson was to perform a concert as separate music groups. I was assigned to a Rock Band along with a talented guitar player who also played drums, and my group performed AC/DC’s “It’s a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock ‘N’ Roll)”. At the bagpipe/guitar solo I emerged from back stage with the bagpipes to an eruption of cheers, and at one point was playing my bagpipes in the audience in front of the 4-Star General of Training and Doctrine Command, and his wife!

After graduating I was assigned to the 10th Mountain Division Band at Fort Drum, NY. One of my immediate supervisors learned that I played the bagpipes, and offered me an opportunity to perform “Amazing Grace” at a memorial service, if approved by our Commander. I auditioned for the part in front of my Commander and First Sergeant, and after my last note, and a few glances to the 1SG, my Commander looked me dead in the eye and said, “You’re making this really hard to say, “No.”” and they both walked away; leaving me alone in the room! Minutes later my supervisor congratulated me on passing the audition, and I was able to perform at several services. We later deployed and I found myself performing my bagpipes on St. Patrick’s Day at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan.

I finished my contract with the Army and moved back home to Spokane, but transitioned to the Army National Guard to serve as a drummer in the 133d Army Band at Camp Murray, WA. One of my co-workers happens to be the band director at Shadle Park High School and knew I played the bagpipes. During the COVID-19 pandemic he called me and asked if I could fill in as the bagpipe coach as the previous coach unexpectedly quit. I am now the head coach of the Shadle Park High School Pipe Band and Highland Dancers, and it has been a privilege to bring back what I have learned and experienced with bagpipes to the place where I first picked them up.