INSTRUCTOR BIO :: Ryan Morrison, Pipe Major and Musical Director
The state's only fully professional ceremonial bagpiper, Ryan Morrison is the Pipe Major and Musical Director of the Ian Sturrock Memorial Pipe Band. Pipe Major Morrison pursued his vocation as a full-time ceremonial bagpiper, entertainer and instructor in 2004 and has enjoyed a great deal of success. Aside from numerous awards in solo competitions, Pipe Major Morrison has been featured on albums and local television commercials. He has performed for major dignitaries, such as Alabama Governor Bob Riley and the Consul General of Ireland Mr. Martin Rouine, and even performed as an opening act for Rod Stewart.
Pipe Major Morrison's initial tuition began with the late Dr. John Richardson, a second-generation student of Pipe Major Ian Sturrock tutored by Pipe Major Larry Mackintosh. Major Morrison continued his studies under another of Major Sturrock's students Pipe Major Charles Smith. He is an avid composer and arranger, garnering praise and favor from well-known pipers such as Bruce Gandy, Adrian Melvin and Jori Chisholm for his compositions. Major Morrison is adept at Scottish snare and also performs on the mouth-blown and bellows-blown smallpipes.
Besides performing, Major Morrison has a passion for teaching and passing along the traditions of piping to younger generations. A bagpipe instructor now for nearly fifteen years, Major Morrison's contribution to the local pipe band community has greatly shaped the local piping landscape. He teaches all levels from novice to advanced and even offers Internet-based E-Lessons utilizing YouTube and now Skype to offer lessons to students as far away as Israel. Private lessons for the bagpipes with Major Morrison are offered for $40 per hour.
For more information about Major Morrison or to schedule your first lesson, please visit his website at birminghambagpiper.com.
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