My passions for both playing bagpipes professionally and tutoring bagpipe students, have been linked since I was a teen.

I have taught students of all ages and abilities–from beginners through to more experienced players. Some of these students have gone on to play in Grade 1 Bands internationally, both in Canada and New Zealand.

I began teaching bagpipes at the age of seventeen, when my mother (also a piper) asked me to help tutor at Band Practice. This is when I developed a passion for teaching and eventually working with bands.

I  joined the Canterbury Caledonian Grade 1 Band in 1993 where I eventually became Pipe Major being the first female Pipe Major in Grade 1.

In 2003 I was offered an opportunity to play with the 78th Halifax Citadel Grade 1 Pipe Band.  This eventually lead into teaching at a Summer School over there which reignited my passion for teaching again. I ended up having so many students, it lead me to stay there.  While I was there I further developed their Grade 5 Band and worked along side Bruce Gandy former winner Gold Medal – Inverness and Oban.

On my return to New Zealand I became Musical Director of the Canterbury Caledonian Grade 2 Band for a couple of seasons. As time went by, I really wanted to work with the Grade 4 Band and help nurture the development of the younger players. I am currently in my fourth season as Pipe Major with the Caledonian Grade 4 and at the 2015 National Pipe Band Championships the Grade 4 was the Top New Zealand Band in their division, which is my most memorable achievement to date with this band.

One of my particular strengths is building a great, positive culture within a band, leading to a wonderful camaraderie between band members. This ‘attitude and enjoyment’ helps accelerate the musical development of the individual players and the band as a whole.

I am the current Musical Director of Grade 4 Band and Principal Instructor for the Canterbury Caledonian School of Piping and Drumming.  I am very honoured to be a part of the Canterbury Caledonian Society.

I currently compete in Solo Piping throughout New Zealand and continue to have lessons with my mentor who lives in the Christchurch area. I am on the judging panel for both Solo Piping and Pipe Band adjudication.

Contact me to talk about tuition or performance.