Licensing

Tuning up my pipes

Beginning as a fascination in high school, the art of playing the great highland bagpipe has become not only a valued hobby of mine, but a very spiritual and rewarding activity. Since high school, I have joined a pipes and drums band called the Pasadena Scottish Pipes and Drums (or Pasadena Scots) which competes in several Scottish festivals and highland games all over California, as well as Nevada, Arizona, and Scotland.

Being a mixed-race Asian-American, or more specifically a mixed-race Japanese-American bagpiper has been a very dynamic and self-discovering experience. After getting the surprised response and/or surprised glances after people realize I play the pipes, I began to wonder why I held such a passion for such an instrument or why I enjoyed the Scottish culture so much.