Teachers | Upper Potomac Music

About the 2023 Pipers Weekend Teachers

Jerry O'Sullivan has been widely hailed as America's premier uilleann piper. His reputation for technical and melodic mastery of the instrument, an Irish bagpipe known for its subtlety and expression, is unsurpassed in the United States, and is demanding considerable attention overseas. Jerry is also widely recorded on the tin whistle, the low whistle, the Highland Pipes and the Scottish smallpipes on more than 90 albums. His solo albums, The Gift, and The Invasion, were highly acclaimed and his O'Sullivan Meets O'Farrell (Volumes 1 and 2) features music from the 200 year old O'Farrell tutor and tune collections. Jerry has also recorded a number of film soundtracks and has appeared on numerous television commercials. Jerry has toured extensively in the United States and Europe and has been a featured performer and instructor in numerous Folk Festivals and music camps.

Jerry O'Sullivan is a gifted ambassador of the Irish uilleann pipes, maintaining the historic traditions and melodies of the instrument while expanding its range into new genres of music and media. His mastery of the instrument, traditional knowledge, versatility, and dedication to education truly make him America's premier uilleann piper.

Dick Hensold is the leading Northumbrian smallpiper in North America, and for the past 20 years has performed and taught in England, Scotland, Japan, Canada, and across the United States. He has released numerous CDs as a member of the groups Piper’s Crow, Way Up North, and The New International Trio. His solo Northumbrian smallpipes CD Big Music for Northumbrian Smallpipes was released in 2007. He is much in demand as accompanist, studio musician and theater musician, and frequently composes new works based on the traditions of the Northumbrian pipes.

Rosalind Buda is a versatile musician who performs and teaches music from Scottish smallpipes and Highland pipes, to classical bassoon and early reed instruments. Rosalind is passionate about teaching and her experience in both classical and folk music gives her a unique perspective and a holistic approach. Rosalind plays with several ensembles on pipes, bombarde and early instruments including, The Reel Sisters, acclaimed Scottish fiddler, Jamie Laval, Brizeus and the early music ensemble, Istanpitta. Coming from a traditional background on the Highland pipes, Rosalind has a deep love for smallpipes and looks to music from Scotland, Ireland, Brittany, and Appalachia for inspiration. As a classical bassoonist, Rosalind performs with orchestras and chamber music ensembles throughout the Southeast. Rosalind earned her Masters degree from The New England Conservatory in bassoon performance and lives in musically-rich Appalachia in Asheville, NC, where she is an orchestral player, chamber musician, teacher, and piper.

Iain Mac Harg, the son of one of the premier bagpipe builders in the world, has studied with many renowned pipers and has earned the title of EUSPBA 2001 Grade One Season Champion. In addition to competing as a solo piper, Iain has also been involved in many other aspects of Celtic music. He has founded three Highland Pipe Bands in Vermont (Catamount Grade 3 & 4, the Green Mountain Highlanders) and has played with several folk groups. Iain’s solo album, Rooted in Tradition, and his Christmas Album, Celtic Christmas, are sold in many areas of the world. Iain has also published Feadan Mor, a collection of original tunes for the bagpipe. After completing his Masters in Education, he went on to start the Vermont Institute of Piping where he has over 60 solo students.

Our host piper, Bob Mitchell is recognized as a successful solo competitor in the US and Canada, He’s worked for 20 years at the Maryland Renaissance Festival and has performed with a number of DC area bands including Iona and Jennifer Cutting’s Ocean Orchestra. Although his greatest area of expertise is Highland piping, he also plays the Scottish smallpipes and border pipes.

Pipemaker, Robert Felsburg makes beautiful sets of Scottish smallpipes in Pittsburg, PA. He provides several rental sets of pipes for our beginners class, and runs a maintenance clinic on Friday, where pipers can come and get their instruments in good working order for the weekend. He is often on hand during the entire weekend to help people keep their pipes in the best working order.