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Celtic Arts Winter School

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Celtic Arts Winter School

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Instruction in Great Highland Bagpipes, Scottish style drumming, smallpipes, fiddle, guitar, and singing, taught by some of the Scottish music world's most talented musicians.

02/23/2026

Thank you all for another wonderful year of Winter School! Here's a great pic of our Highland Pipes & Drums Week crew. :)

01/23/2026

Winter School 2026 is just around the corner! We are so happy to welcome some new instructors to the teaching crew this year, with the inclusion of Kim Carnie, Megan Henderson, and Murdo “Yogi” Cameron. Yay team!

Plus…
-New! Gaelic Song track in our folk/trad week
-New! Chanter weekend for adults running alongside our Piobaireachd and Kids’ programs
-Our largest Kids’ Highland Piping and Drumming Weekend enrollment ever!
-Over $15k awarded in scholarships and financial aid for 2026 Winter School students

It all starts next week. See you soon! 🌟🌲

01/08/2026

Throwback Thursday! Here’s a 2018 snapshot of the legendary Angus MacColl & Roddy MacLeod MBE at Winter School, trading their Highland pipes for one bellows-blown Scottish Smallpipes—and loving every minute of it.

You can feel that same joy of musical discovery at Winter School 2026. Winter School is where the Celtic Arts Foundation welcome world-class Celtic musicians from Scotland, Ireland, Canada, and the U.S. to Seabeck, WA for an unforgettable music retreat. Learn from the best, connect with fellow musicians, and immerse yourself in Celtic tradition.

12/28/2025

Kids Weekend Winter School 2026!

We’re excited to welcome young pipers and drummers to our Kids Highland Pipes & Drumming Weekend at Winter School 2026!

About: This youth-focused program runs concurrently with our Piobaireachd track from Friday, January 30 to Sunday, February 1, 2026. Designed for students aged 10–17 with some piping or drumming experience, the weekend includes group classes, individual instruction, and fun evening gatherings. Beginners with at least one year of chanter experience are welcome to join a tailored beginner track.

What to Expect: A lot of fun and learning! Instruction is grouped by skill level to ensure every student receives appropriate guidance. All attendees must be accompanied by a chaperone (one chaperone may oversee multiple students). Group registration discounts may be available.

Your Instructors: We’re honored to welcome a powerhouse lineup of instructors—some of the most accomplished pipers and drummers in the world:

Piping Faculty

Callum Beaumont (Scotland): Glenfiddich Champion, five-time Clasp winner, and Pipe Major of Dollar Academy Novice A, leading them to multiple World titles.

Stuart Liddell (Scotland): Pipe Major of Inveraray & District, current Glenfiddich Champion, and one of the most electrifying solo performers in piping.

Jack Lee (Canada): Glenfiddich Champion, Gold Medalist at Oban & Inverness, and co-founder of the Simon Fraser University Pipe Band.

Drumming Faculty

Blair Brown (Canada): Six-time Gold Medalist at Winter Storm, World Drum Corps Champion, and internationally respected educator.

Tyler Fry (Canada): World-renowned tenor drummer, multi-time World Champion, and touring artist with the Red Hot Chili Pipers.

Ali North (USA): Bass and tenor instructor with Northwest Junior Pipe Band and Robert Malcolm Memorial, and SFU bass corps performer.

Kerr McQuillan (Scotland): World Solo Drumming Champion, Leading Drummer of Boghall & Bathgate, and Pipes|Drums Drummer of the Year 2023.

12/28/2025

Scottish Smallpipers Unite at Winter School 2026!

About: Our Smallpiping Program runs February 7–11, 2026, alongside our Scottish fiddle/melody, song, and guitar/accompaniment tracks—giving players of all instruments a chance to learn from each other and play together. Smallpipes classes are split into three levels based on experience and learning pace. While not ideal for complete beginners, this program offers a rich learning environment for developing players ready to explore ensemble work and deepen their piping skills.

What to Expect: Each day includes group classes, instructor rotations, sessions, evening ceilidhs, and a few fun extras. You’ll also have the chance to learn from our fiddle instructors, attend the instructor concert, and take part in our no-stress participant performance night.
Your Instructors: We’re honored to welcome three inspiring leaders in the world of smallpipes:

Dr. Gary West (Scotland): Host of Enjoy Your Piping, former BBC Radio Scotland’s Pipeline host, former Professor of Scottish Ethnology, and a celebrated piper, singer, and cultural wellspring of knowledge.

Ailis Sutherland (Scotland): Acclaimed performer and educator, known for her work with Hecla and the National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland.

Finlay MacDonald (Scotland): Head of Piping Studies at the National Piping Centre and Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and a trailblazer in contemporary and traditional piping.

11/24/2025

❄️NEW to Winter School 2026: Chanter Weekend! ❄️

Due to demand we are now welcoming newer pipers with only practice chanter experience to sign up for our specially designed Chanter Weekend!

❄️About: This 2-night program runs concurrently with our Piobaireachd and Kids’ Weekend tracks from Friday, January 30 to Sunday, February 1, 2026. The Chanter Weekend is specifically for students with at least one year of practice chanter experience who are still building their foundations. This is a perfect opportunity to strengthen fundamentals, develop better technique, and grow confidence under masterful guidance.

❄️What to Expect: The weekend includes multiple group classes, individual instruction, and fun evening gatherings. If you’re unsure about your level or if this is the right opportunity for you, please reach out to [email protected] for guidance.

❄️Your Instructors: We’re honored to welcome two outstanding teachers to lead this program:

Willie McCallum (Scotland): Nine-time Glenfiddich Champion, Gold Medalist, and Lead Tutor at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Willie’s students include many top-tier competitors.

Kevin Auld (USA) - NEW Instructor at Winter School: Full-time instructor and performer based in Seattle, Kevin is the Band Director of the Northwest Junior Pipe Band and teaches students of all ages through private lessons, workshops, and events.

11/17/2025

❄️ We’re excited to welcome back our Piobaireachd Program to Winter School, January 29th-February 1, 2026! This immersive program is open to all piping levels and runs alongside our Kids’ Highland Pipes & Drumming track for four days. Many students choose to stay on for Highland Pipes Week, which begins after breakfast on Monday, February 2.

❄️ What to Expect: A rich blend of group classes focused on piobaireachd, instructor rotations, evening ceilidhs, and entertainment. Students will be placed in small groups (8–12 pipers) and rotate through instructors daily—ensuring dynamic and fresh perspectives on your journey with this expressive, ancient art form we call, piobaireachd.

❄️ Your Instructors: We’re honored to welcome some of the most decorated pipers in the world! Learn from:

- Angus MacColl (Scotland): Gold Medalist at Oban & Inverness, Glenfiddich Champion, and part of a legendary piping family.

- Murray Henderson (New Zealand/Scotland): Hall of Fame inductee with five decades of top-tier competition, six Clasps at Inverness, and a global reputation as a highly sought-after mentor and adjudicator.

- Roddy MacLeod MBE (Scotland): Five-time Glenfiddich Champion, former Grade 1 Pipe Major, and renowned for his signature sound (those High A’s!) and teaching excellence.

- Bruce Gandy (Canada): Gold Medalist piper, prolific, award-winning composer, and creator of the acclaimed Essential Piobaireachd Foundations program.

We hope you'll join us! Link with more information on the Celtic Arts Foundation Winter School Piobaireachd Program in the comments below:

11/12/2025

Attention all strummers and chord-makers! Our Guitar & Accompaniment Program beckons you to Winter School 2026!

Details: Open to all chordal instruments, this program runs alongside smallpipes, song, and fiddle/melody tracks, creating a rich environment for musical exchange and ensemble playing, February 7-11, 2026. Bring your instrument and dive into the joy of musical accompaniment!

Your Instructors: Returning instructor Ross Martin is joined this year by Murdo "Yogi" Cameron, a multi-talented accompanist with deep Gaelic roots. Murdo comes from a long line of traditional Gaelic singers and was immersed in music growing up Glenelg, a wee village a stone's throw across from the Isle of Skye, famous for being twinned with Mars. A member of the Mountain Rescue, Murdo started out as an accordion player and piper, who in the last few years has been a busy guitar accompanist and stringed things enthusiast.

Questions? Reach out to [email protected]

10/24/2025

🌟Calling all melody players—our Fiddle & Melody Program is accepting students for Winter School!

🌟About: Fiddle/melody classes will be split into three self-assigned levels based on experience learning by ear, February 7-11, 2026. Our self-assigned levels to help you find your groove, include:
-Novice: 10–20 tunes, newer to learning by ear or prefer a slower pace
-Intermediate: 20–100 tunes, comfortable learning by ear
-Advanced: Tune guzzlers welcome!

🌟What to Expect: Classes run alongside smallpipes, song, and guitar programs, creating rich opportunities for collaboration and cross-instrument inspiration. Your group will have a chance to learn from different instructors each day.

🌟Your Instructors: We’re delighted to welcome back Alasdair White and Katie McNally, and for the first time, we welcome Megan Henderson to Winter School! Megan is a multi-instrumentalist, singer, and 2022 Scots Trad Music Awards Musician of the Year. A member of the internationally acclaimed band Breabach, Megan brings a rich blend of classical training and deep roots in Highland tradition, with performances spanning from Feisean halls to the Sydney Opera House.

10/19/2025

For the first time ever, we’re offering a Gaelic singing track at Winter School!

❄️About: This exciting new Song Program is open to all singing levels and runs alongside our fiddle, smallpipes, and accompaniment tracks for four nights, February 7-11, 2026.

❄️What to Expect: A vibrant mix of Gaelic and English songs—Puirt à Beul, Pipe tunes, Cèilidh Classics, and more! No Gaelic experience needed—just bring your voice and your love of music.

❄️Your Instructor: We’re thrilled to welcome acclaimed vocalist Kim Carnie as our Song Program instructor. Often described as having a “velvet” voice, Kim is one of Scotland’s most sought-after singers, known for her work with producers like Jim Sutherland, Donald Shaw, and Ged Grimes. She’s the lead singer of Mànran and Staran, and her solo album ‘And So We Gather’ (2022) features an all-star lineup including Julie Fowlis, Kadialy Kouyate, and Matt Carmichael.

Learn more by following the links in the comments below!

10/02/2025

Housing for our Highland Pipes and Drums program at Winter School is currently full, but we are accepting wait-list registrations on our website.

Still housing available for our Piobaireachd, Chanter, Kids HP and Drums, Smallpipes, Fiddle, Accompaniment and Guitar, and Gaelic Singing tracks.

Address

PO Box 1342
Mount Vernon, WA
98273

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 5pm
Tuesday	8am - 5pm
Wednesday	8am - 5pm
Thursday	8am - 5pm
Friday	8am - 5pm

Telephone

+13604164934

Website

http://www.CelticArts.org/

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