A New York-based piper with Scottish roots, Kyle Dawson first picked up the instrument just shy of his 40th birthday. “You could call it a midlife crisis, but for me it felt more like finally answering something I had always wanted to do,” he explains via email with Celtic Life International, adding that he has long been proud of his family’s ties to Inverness.

Although Dawson had been interested in playing the bagpipes for years, he kept putting it off. Eventually, after researching local pipe bands, he hooked up with New Jersey-based Saint Brendan the Navigator Pipes and Drums. He showed up to a practice and “that one simple decision opened the door to an entire community and a craft I have grown to love. I have been piping for about 14 years now, and every one of those years has added something meaningful to my life.”

By way of example, Dawson recalls played the pipes at a close friend’s wedding as she walked down the aisle at Manhattan’s Trinity Church. He was also one of several pipers hired by Guinness to play on a double-decker bus in New York City and Boston for St. Patrick’s Day. “Each of these moments has reminded me how far piping can take you when you follow the passion.”

Additionally, he is the current president of the National Tartan Day New York Committee as well as the treasurer of the New York Caledonian Club.

Then there are the tools of the trade. Dawson’s main set of pipes is a 2019 Wallace Bagpipes Classic 4. “They have a bold, steady tone that I love, and paired with their African Blackwood chanter, produce a sound that feels rich and balanced. They suit my style perfectly.”

That style, he shares, is mostly traditional, “because it keeps me connected to the heart of the music.” Not one to improvise, he prefers to focus on playing the tune in front of him. Dawson also plies a set of 1950 silver and ivory Hendersons – a rather coveted style of pipes.

Today, he sees piping as a big part of who he is as a person. Between his full-time job and his club commitments he sometimes finds it difficult to fit in practice time. It can also be a challenge for to pick up new tunes. “I didn’t learn to read music when I was younger, so picking it up later in life takes more concentration and patience.”

However, Dawson also notes that those challenges make the “small victories” even more rewarding. “Learning a new tune, improving a phrase, or taking something into competition always feels like an accomplishment. Even if I don’t place, I take pride in the work and discipline behind it. There is also the joy of being part of a tradition that stretches back centuries – that connection matters to me…”

That tie seems to appeal to young folks as well, as Dawson notes that he frequently sees talented young pipers enter competitions. “I will admit that I’m a little jealous. Their fingers move like rubber, and their minds absorb tunes so quickly, but it’s encouraging to see that enthusiasm. It gives me confidence in the future of the instrument.”

He points out that the issue isn’t kids becoming interested in piping, but maintaining that interest with the right support. “Keeping younger people engaged through mentorship, opportunities to perform, and a sense of community can make a big difference in whether they stay with it or drift away.”

For his part, Dawson has no plans to stop piping. He is excited to re-enter the competitive scene in 2026 and hopes tat he will bring home a medal or two. Mostly, however, he just wants to enjoy the process.

“Piping gives me a sense of focus and pride that I don’t find anywhere else…”

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