Calum is a full-time piper and teacher in Edinburgh, and has won World Championship titles with Inveraray & District Pipe Band. Taught by top names at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, he graduated with First Class Honours and is known for his creativity, compositions, and passion for all styles of piping. He also plays with Bagad Cap Caval in Brittany.
Ready to Level Up Your Piping Skills?
Join Dojo University today with our 654 Special
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Piping should be fun. It should enable you to express your own voice. It should bring you fulfillment.
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Bagpipers around the world continue to struggle despite endless hours of hard work and fierce determination.
"I feel a genuine sense of belonging...”
"Through Dojo U I’m finally getting much of the formalized and theoretical training I never obtained through private instruction in the past. On top of this, I’m regularly able to have my playing constructively critiqued to continue to focus my improvement areas and moving forward.
Dojo U has been very accommodating with their instruction from all sources and I feel a genuine sense of belonging with so many that participate in the various programs. Thanks Dojo U!"
Anders Udsen
British Columbia, Canada
“An affordable outlet where I can learn on my time..."
“Dojo University has created an educational institution where pipers of all levels can obtain much needed instruction. Offering not only live weekly classes that suit anyone’s schedule, they also have a full back catalog of old lessons covering all aspects of piping.
Living in Memphis, I am devoid of higher instruction, so the Dojo has given me an extremely affordable outlet where I can learn on my time from some of the top pipers in the world!"
Ken Hiner
Tennessee, USA
Dojo University is the longest-running and most successful online bagpiping school in the world.
We teach thousands of students around the world how to play good music – mastering the art of learning and playing the bagpipes in the process – in a highly accessible way that is completely unlike anything else you'll find online or in person, anywhere in the world.
We created Dojo U because we noticed that too many pipers were struggling out there in the world. Bagpiping should be a joyful experience, each and every day you pick up the pipes. If it's not, we strive to fix that before it's too late.
And whether you're a complete beginner, a parade player, an experienced piper, a pipe major, or a pro-level competitor... you can free yourself from musical frustration at Dojo U.
At Dojo U, we do things a little differently to how you may have approached learning to play the bagpipes before.
One of the key reasons for our ongoing success is that we're always evolving, improving, and growing, so if you've been a student and left us for any reason – you'll probably notice that the Dojo looks a bit different to what you might remember (and has a lot more value to explore).
We'd love to welcome you and show you around!
Accessible Everywhere
Log on from any device, anywhere – all you need is an internet connection
Expert Tuition
Learn from and be inspired by some of the world's best pipers
Global Community
Connect and share tips, stories and banter with pipers from around the world.
Interactive Music Player
Replay, slow down, loop tricky bars – like having a tutor on demand.
Personalized Feedback
Upload recordings anytime for instant feedback from our community.
Ask Dojo Anything!
Ask our experts to get reliable and proven answers for any questions you have.
What's Under the Hood?
Our basic membership gives you access to interactive online courses that teach those core skills clearly and effectively.
You can join live Zoom classes every day, where instructors offer personalized feedback and answer your questions in real time.
Prefer to learn solo? Choose from our self-paced courses and train on your own schedule:
- Each course includes video lessons (about 5 hours on average), downloadable handouts, short quizzes, and usually a final exam.
- Most are aimed at beginner to intermediate players – but they’re based on the exact same methods we use to train elite pipers and top-level bands.
CORE COURSES INCLUDED WITH YOUR BASIC MEMBERSHIP
11 Commandments of Mastery
A mindset course that will get your head in the game for progress in piping – and anything else you can put your mind to.
Beginner's Bagpiping Tutor
The definitive, tested, and acclaimed bagpipe fingerwork tutor that will put you on the path to true life enrichment via the Great Highland Bagpipe.
Transitioning to the Bagpipes
Get on the bagpipes one step at a time, learning to maintain, hold and blow your instrument like a pro. A handy primer for new or experienced pipers.
Rhythm for
Bagpipers
Never rush the beat again! Build your foundational rhythm and music theory skills in a way that is truly practical, specifically for bagpipers.
Meet the Dojo University Teaching Team
Our Dojo University team are led by world-champion bagpipers who have been master instructors for decades, working with bands and soloists all over the world, from complete beginners all the way up to professional pipers and Grade 1 bands.
Our teaching faculty are similarly skilled – all leaders in their own bands and extremely experienced instructors with a wealth of knowledge to guide you on your path to Bagpipe Freedom.
As a Dojo U student, you'll be getting the best advice in the world, from people who don't just talk the talk; we've walked (and won!) just about every walk there is at every level in the bagpiping world.
Andrew Douglas
Co-founder and owner
Andrew has been active at the highest levels of piping for over 20 years. He’s a three-time World Champion with Inveraray & District (2017, 2019, 2024), winner of the 2017 USA Silver Medal for Piobaireachd, and former Pipe Major of Oran Mor (2008–2013). Andrew has earned multiple Silver Medals at Oban and Inverness and won the 2004 B-Grade Strathspey/Reel at Oban. He published the award-winning book Finding Bagpipe Freedom in 2021 and is an Accredited Bagpipe Teacher and Examiner with a Fine Arts degree from Simon Fraser University.
Carl Donley
Co-founder and Head Instructor
Carl is a professional piper originally from Chicago with over 25 years of experience and numerous solo prizes. He began with the Ft. Lauderdale Highlanders and played Grade 2 with Chicago Midlothian before joining Oran Mor in 2008. Carl served as Pipe Major of the Iona College Pipe Band and helped found Dojo University, running several popular weekly classes. Since moving to France in 2018, he’s explored bagad culture and continues playing with local bands.
P/M Andra Stoller
Customer Service Manager / Instructor
Andra is Pipe Major of the Pikes Peak Highlanders, a Colorado Springs band with many military and first responders. A dedicated Dojo member for nearly a decade, she’s played a key role in Dojo U’s technical operations since 2017. Andra is a full-time pipe teacher and lifelong learner, committed to growing as a piper and leader every day.
P/M Andrew Fusco
Core Class Instructor
Originally from upstate New York, Andy is now a Las Vegas local and has led the Las Vegas Pipe Band for over a decade. He performs and teaches bagpipes full-time, plays drums in two local rock bands. A regular at the World Championships and international events, Andy is also a longtime Dojo U tutor and frequent workshop and special event instructor.
Calum Kaye
Core Class Instructor
P/M Chance Bell
Core Class Instructor
From Richmond, Virginia, Chance is a professional solo competitor with the Eastern US Pipe Band Association and has played Grade 1 with Oran Mor and Stuart Highlanders at the World Championships. A full-time musician and local Pipe Major for over a decade, Chance is a long-time Dojo U beginner tutor known for his calm, encouraging teaching style.
Colleen Curry
Core Class Instructor
Colleen began piping at 13 under her father's guidance and spent four years with the Worlds’-winning Scotia Glenville Pipe Band in upstate New York, where she still resides. She now plays with Columbia and District and Capital District United, and has been teaching new pipers since 2022. Also an accomplished classical pianist and violinist, Colleen brings broad musical experience, a love for traditional music, and a patient, student-focused teaching style to the Dojo team.
Lee McLeod
Core Class Instructor
Hailing from North Carolina, USA, Lee’s been a piper for more than 20 years. He’s played with some top Grade 3 bands (placing second in the North American Championships), but most of his piping career he’s played with Grandfather Mountain Highlanders, aside from a 5-year stint with St Andrew’s University Pipe Band. Lee started teaching a beginner’s ‘pod’ class in 2022, as he’s passionate about ‘paying forward’ what he’s learned at the Dojo to other adult learners.
Sally Mason
Core Class Instructor
After beginning on pipes as a teenager playing for RAF Waddington Pipe Band, Sally took a hiatus from piping to start a family. Sally joined the Dojo teaching team as a beginner's tutor in 2020, and has been helping brand-new pipers find their way around the Dojo University Tutor ever since, teaching the fundamentals of rhythm, reading music, and playing a practice chanter in multiple classes every week.
P/M Tim Gatehouse
Fingerwork Class Instructor
Hailing from Altoona, Pennsylvania, Tim joined Dojo University in 2011. In late 2017, he began the process of building a competitive band, Rail City Pipes and Drums, which he now leads alongside his non-competitive Shrine Highland Band. In 2020, Tim extended his piping goals to improve a little bit every day to other Dojo U students, starting a Dojo U class all about improving fingerwork, timing and embellishments.
“I look forward to the time of day I get on my pipes!"
“I've been piping for 30 plus years and struggling along the way. The Dojo U method works! My family and pets have seen and heard the improvement in my piping!.That has been the best kind of feedback for me. The success of improvement builds on my desire and I look forward to the time of day I get on my pipes! Thank You Dojo!"
Tim Gunn
Washington State, USA
“I desperately needed this lifeline..."
“I have felt "stuck" for many months in my bagpiping level. I had used up my bag of tricks in being able to progress forward. The 11 Commandments of Mastery Course has (in just a few short weeks mind you) improved my mindset, my practice regime, and in turn my playing. I desperately needed this lifeline and for that I thank you!!"
Christian Nettell
Michigan, USA
Sign Up for the 654 Special Today
Save 65% for 4 months on a Basic Membership - expires July 11th
Dojo University Basic Membership
$10.50 per month for 4 months
(then reverts to regular price of $30/month)
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About Dojo U's Founder
“My name is Andrew Douglas and I'm the founder of the Piper's Dojo and creator of Dojo University, our online learning portal for bagpipers. I'm super excited to be your guide as we drill into some of the most essential fundamental elements of being a great piper... we'd be honored to have you aboard!"
— Andrew Douglas
- Founder, Creator, and CEO of the Piper's Dojo and Dojo University
- 2017 & 2019 World Champion with Inveraray and District Pipe Band
- 2017 Winner of USA Silver Medal for Piobaireachd
- 2008-2013 Pipe Major of Grade 1 Oran Mor Pipe Band
- Multi-prize winner, Silver Medals at Oban and Inverness
- Former Winner of B-Grade Strathspey/Reel at Oban (2004)
- Accredited Bagpipe Teacher and Examiner with the Scottish Qualifications Authority
- Fully accredited piping judge with the Eastern United States Pipe Band Association
"Don't Believe" in Online Bagpipe Lessons?
Believe me, you're not the first person to have doubts about the effectiveness of online bagpipe lessons.
Our school is indeed a big shift from the typical "master-->apprentice" approach to teaching bagpipes.
It is indeed harder to teach certain skills over the internet (as we can't do much that's truly "hands on.")
It's true, some of the "in person magic" that you can get from a truly great solo lesson or group session might not seem to be as magical in an online setting.
The Thought Experiment
All of these difficult challenges indeed crossed my mind one beautiful day in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. It was the year 2011 and my wife and I were on our honeymoon. We were sipping frozen cocktails, and daydreaming. My wife was presumably daydreaming about normal things... but not me. I was, of course, daydreaming about bagpipe stuff.
The daydream went like this:
- "I really used to love bagpipe camp as a kid.
- As an adult, I love teaching at bagpipe camps, because no one has more fun (and gets better faster) than at a bagpipe camp.
- It's too bad bagpipe camps are so expensive, require so much travel, time away from work and family, etc. It's really too bad...
- You know, if you could do a bagpipe camp using the internet, the price and challenges of going to piping school would be greatly diminished, and the school could serve far more people.
- But that will never work. (and here I proceeded to list all the reasons an online bagpipe school would never work. It included many of the "objections" we discussed above)
- Ok, ok, but what if somehow we could make it work. What would be gained?"
And so, I proceeded to think about all of the incredible benefits that could be had at a fictional, mystical "online bagpipe school."
- Instead of a great bagpiping experience for one week per year, we could up it to 52 weeks per year!
- The price of this service could be much less than "real" bagpipe camp. Much, much, much less.
- Wherever you were in the world, you could experience incredible bagpipe sessions from the world's best pipers.
- No commute, no gas money, (and in 2020 and beyond - no health risks!)
- We could teach students with a longer-term strategy (not confined to just one week).
- We could teach students the art of integrating bagpiping into their daily lives; not that bagpiping is just something fun you might get to dive deep into one week per year at a far off place.
- We could develop an incredible community of pipers that grew together over time.
- And the list of "good" things went on, and on, and on.
So, just over a decade ago, it became clear that I couldn't afford not to try to build the world's first "online bagpipe school." And so that's what I did (with the help of my extremely talented team, and amazing world-class instructors).
All of the challenging bits above are still challenging. It would be amazing if I could some how magically reach through my computer screen and help a student whip their pipes into tune.
But the reality is, these challenges have made student and teacher better as a result. And meanwhile, the positive benefits (many of which I predicted back in 2011) keep proving greater, and greater, and greater.
Advantages vs Disadvantages of Online Bagpipe Learning
Dojo University is a fantastic product for bagpipers with and without access to in person instruction:
Bagpipers without access to in-person instruction can utilize Dojo U to (quite literally) ascend from the very first day picking up a practice chanter to becoming an advanced bagpiper. Many have already done it!
Bagpipers with access to in person instruction can and should supplement their in-person lessons with the Dojo. The Dojo can help you develop a more rounded skillset than private lessons typically offer, and can provide you with the support an community any bagpiper needs to be successful.
The Pros List
Here's all the reasons Dojo U works so well...
The Cons List
Here are the downsides...
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to quit my private lessons to do the Dojo?
Dojo U is clearly just for beginners. Is there anything for me, the more advanced player?
Do you offer classes in my time zone?
Dojo is just for solo players right?
I'm a complete beginner – is the Dojo the right place to start learning?
What computer gear do I need for Dojo University?
Is there a guarantee?
Can I download this to watch offline?
Do you offer group rates?
What are my payment options?
Dojo University Is Different
Yes, you can find bagpipe instruction elsewhere on the internet and in person, but Dojo University is unique because it's built and taught by real-world bagpipers who have actually built these resources based on real-world experience (read: successes).
In other words, we aren't people who couldn't do so we made a course instead. We've been in the trenches teaching AND performing - we detest untested theory and believe that the best way to learn something is to roll up your sleeves and get your hands a little dirty. If that sounds appealing, then welcome! In Dojo U you've found your bagpipe home.
