A Sound Like No Other

My name is Kevin Auld - 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. 

Early Years

I remember my family always having Celtic music of some sort playing in the house when I was young - the Chieftains, Battlefield Band and various Celtic music compilation CDs. I was aware of my Scottish heritage growing up - my great grandfather had emigrated from Scotland and my family had done the genealogy work and traveled to Scotland once to meet our distant cousins when I was around twelve. That single trip to Scotland made an indelible impression on me. I came to piping around the age of 14, following after my older brother, who was playing snare drum in the pipe band at Shorecrest High School. He soon joined an adult pipe band outside of school and my family began attending pipe band events, parades, performances, competitions… and I started hanging around pipe band practices. I was fully hooked on the SOUND of the pipes before I decided to finally give it a try. “The pipes, the pipes were calling” as they say. Over 30 years later I am still fully in love with this instrument

When students of mine get frustrated with the technical fingerings of the chanter, or with the pressure of solo competitions, I try to remind them why they were attracted to the pipes in the beginning. It wasn’t for the intricate technique or for competition - it was the sound.

After three years of playing with the Shorecrest High School Pipe Band and learning the basics from teacher Don MacKay, I continued my playing with the Washington Scottish Pipe Band, under the direction of Colin MacRae Jr. I stayed with the Washington Scottish for 14 years as a piper, Pipe Sergeant, and Pipe Major. During that time I took lessons from Colin MacRae Jr and Rod Weeks. I also attended as many workshops and seminars as possible, including the SFU Highland Arts Festival, Coeur d'Alene Summer School of Piping and the Mastery of Scottish Arts Winter School. I competed in solos through the amateur grades and into grade 1.

Northwest Junior Pipe Band

In 2001 I was asked to help with the Northwest Junior Pipe Band, as the band’s founder Charlie MacNeil was very ill and the pipers needed some teaching support. I had just graduated college and moved back to Seattle and I was glad to have the opportunity to jump in. With the help of some parents and volunteers, I took on the role of Band Director and began teaching in earnest. 25 years later I am grateful every day to be associated with such a wonderful organization of kids, parents and community members. It is my band family.

If I could pick one thing to be proudest of, it is the fact that the entire teaching staff of Northwest Junior Pipe Band, nine instructors, are all NWJPB alumni.

Since being involved with NWJPB, I have been fortunate to bring piping to hundreds of young people - many of whom continued being very involved with piping or came back to it later in life. Some have gone on to be successful competitive pipers and others just play for enjoyment, either on their own or with pipe bands. Still others have gone on to learn multiple instruments, including several who have taken up the Irish uilleann pipes, tin whistle and one who has taken up the Croatian bagpipes!

Shorecrest High School Pipers

I started my piping journey in 1988 at Shorecrest High School, where the school’s mascot is the Scottish Highlander. The school has had a pipe band and highland dance club since its beginnings in the early 1960s. In 2001 I was asked to step in to help teach the pipe band, which became a 21 year teaching residency ending in 2023. Over two decades I was able to participate in many wonderful musical experiences, including trips to Canada, California and several trips to Ireland. I am ever-grateful to Shorecrest and the Shoreline School District for providing a foundation for so many young musicians and I am proud to have been a part of it for so many years.

A Piper’s Life

Playing the bagpipes, and in-turn becoming involved with the piping and folk music world, has given me endless, fantastic life experiences. To list just a few…

• Competing and winning awards at the World Pipe Band Championships

• Marching in the inaugural parade in Washington DC

• Performing with a full orchestra at Benaroya Hall

• Being involved with various film productions, including one Oscar-nominated film

• Meeting world-famous musicians of all genres

• Touring Ireland and marching in the Dublin St Patrick’s Day parade

• Being part of a thriving and supportive traditional music community, locally and worldwide

• Teaching alongside my personal music heroes at piping camps

• Seeing my students progress and enjoy the instrument, music and culture

A Home Full of Music

I live just north of Seattle, Wa, in the city of Everett, where I teach lessons from my home as well as online via Skype and Zoom. I play the Scottish highland bagpipes, Scottish smallpipes and border pipes, along with the Irish tin whistle (penny whistle). My wife Melanie is also a musician, playing Scottish fiddle and piano. We perform together as a duo as well as being part of the local Irish and Scottish folk music scene - joining traditional tune ‘sessions’ whenever possible.

Along with piping my other interests include collecting antiques, gardening, admiring historic homes and listening to a very wide variety of music.