Ian provides private tuition in San Francisco and Las Vegas once per month. Anyone interested in receiving the very best in bagpipe lessons can contact Ian at: ian@aceltictraveler.com

Ian is the perfect choice to teach this amazing instrument. See below for testimonials. With 30 years of teaching experience to his credit he has brought individuals into the piping world helping them achieve their personal goals and individual potential. Two of his own personal mentors were Andrew Wright, the President of the Classical Music Society in Scotland - a living Mozart - and Bob Nicol, the Piper to King George of Scotland. Ian combines their legendary gifts of musical interpretation and style with his own unique and incredibly successful expression and presentation of this instrument, the most intriguing of the woodwinds. Choose among the best of teachers for private lessons - choose Ian Whitelaw.

Andrew Wright presenting Ian with The Banner of the Mountains (Ian's fifth) in Couer d' Alene, Idaho.

Ian's extensive credentials include membership with the Western United States Pipe Band Association advisory committee and the Highland Society of Piobaireachd (peebrock) in Scotland. Piobaireachd is the classical music of the Great Highland Bagpipe. In addition he has certification as a senior judge in the Pipe Band Association.

He is available to offer lessons for all students of any age and level of ability.

PIPE BAND CONSULTING:

This is one of Ian's special gifts! He is known around the world as the quintessential expert on sound, having contributed to the great bands like Simon Fraser University, the current World Champions in grade one, the highest level in the competition field. He brings forth his fabulous sound by using his experience, knowledge, special tools and expertise. What is most amazing about Ian's work in this area is his intuitive sense and innate ability to recognize with a band's music what most cannot detect. After immediately seeing what is needed he is able to make the necessary adjustments which result in a transformed, prize winning, phenomenal sounding band.

Ian works respectfully with each band, honoring their structure and leadership. He travels to the band working closely within the framework of the band's goals, objectives, performances and competitions.

Testimonials:

“Ian has been a major contributor to the success of the Simon Fraser University Pipe Band over the years. What sets him apart from others is that Ian always has the ultimate bagpipe sound in his mind before proceeding to other issues..”
- Terry Lee - Pipe Major of Simon Fraser University Pipe Band, the current and 4 time world champion.

"Playing with Ian over the short period of a few weeks in 1999 had a huge impact on my playing, my ear and my attitude towards the instrument. He has an amazing gift for setting up a great pipe corps, both musically and tonally. His ear for super fine adjustments and his knowledge of cane reeds gives him incredible control over the instruments. He is definately one of the most talented people I know."
- P/S Matt MacIsaac

"If you are looking for the best tone and expression in the world you need not look any further than Ian Whitelaw. During the period he worked with my band we set at the top of our grade for two years and traveling to Scotland for the first time we took 2nd in the Worlds in 3A. Although we didn't take 1st, the RSPBA moved us to Grade 2 regardless. We owe this all to him!"
- Kevin Blandford - Pipe-Major, R.P.Blandford & Son Pipe Band

"Ian Whitelaw was instrumental in leading the Alameda County Sheriff's Grade II Pipe Band to their 2nd place finish at the 1999 World Championships. Ian is a terrific player and instructor. He is the major of Tone City!"
- Helen Gladden

"Ian has earned an international reputation for being 'THE Sound Man' when it comes to pipe bands - traveling far and abroad to work with various groups, the success of the bands he has worked with will no doubt speak for themselves. Although I played with Ian for only a short period, it was during that time that he had a very positive influence on both my music and approach to the instrument. Ian has a knack (some might say a gift) for setting up a GREAT sound - second to none. Ian perhaps summed it up best with: 'Welcome to Tone City'!"
- Sean Somers - Principle Bagpiping Instructor, College of Piping (PEI)

"I just took up the pipes a few months ago. I checked out all of the bagpipe teachers I could find in this area. Ian was by far the best. He taught me more in the first lesson than other teachers had planned for the month. He is patient, supportive, and has an amazing ear for identifying what is needed for improvement."
- James E. - Beginning Student

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