I started playing the bagpipes at the young age of 11 in Dunedin, FL under the tutelage of Sandy Keith at Dunedin Highland Middle School. I was instantly hooked! My first few years were spent honking away, but I excelled quickly and began competing as a soloist and with bands. In high school, I played for Tampa Bay Pipe Band and continued to hone my piping skills learning from Scottish and Canadian bagpiping masters. 

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A bagpipe scholarship took me to the College of Wooster, a liberal arts school near Cleveland, OH with a strong Scottish connection. I played countless concerts, publicity events, recruitment dinners, sports games, and private gigs as a representative of the college, gaining experience as a professional musician while I earned my Neuroscience degree. I had the honor of leading the band as the College of Wooster Pipe Major during my senior year, and was selected as one of only 20 pipers to compete in the Balmoral Classic US Junior Solo Bagpiping Championships. I am now a Grade 2 player, with a goal of becoming Open Professional within the next few years. I also play the piano, guitar, electric bass, sing, and compose my own music.  

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In the first three years since beginning my performance career in 2020, I have gained over 100,000 followers across my social media channels, toured nationally as a solo artist, and played festivals around the country as part of a band. I am proud to say that I make my living 100% through music. I am so grateful to everyone who's followed my social media accounts, hired me for a loved one's memorial, or otherwise believed in and supported my music. 

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I look forward to bringing my musical passion to your event.    

 

Yours in piping,

Gemma Briggs