Peter W.

I am a traditional Scottish musician specializing in 18th century music. I have studied Highland bag piping since 2001 and Scottish Fiddling since 2002 (with a background in classical violin). I teach both Scottish Fiddle and Highland Bagpipes, as well as Scottish Small pipes and Border pipes.

I have supplemented these areas of knowledge by studying Gaelic since 2007 and Clàrsach (wire-strung harp) since 2012. I have performed with the Potomac Valley Scottish Fiddle Club and the City of Alexandria Pipes and Drums since 2004, for weddings and Scottish Country Dances since 2006, and founded the Scottish Folk-Acoustic band The Devil's Tailors in 2008, and lead the only DC-area open Scottish jam session. I also participate in a living history unit reenacting the 1745 rebellion in the Highlands, leading me to study the music's historical context.

My approach to Scottish traditional music is holistic; I feel it's important to experience how song feeds into instrumental music, and how the instrumental traditions interact with one another, and impart that broader view to my students. My focus is mostly on the folk traditions, though for bagpipe students, I teach the current and formal pipe band technique and repertoire as a foundation.

I have twice qualified for the US National Scottish Fiddling Championship, and was 4th place overall in Grade 4 Senior out of almost 850 pipers in 2006, and have been taking an extended hiatus from competition.