Offered this Tionól:


Small Class Instruction from Eamonn Dillon, Joe Kelly, Kathleen Cavanaugh, Brandon Davis, and Stewart Pittman.

In addition to small class instruction, we will also be offering afternoon Workshops: 

  • The Playing of Tommy Reck - “ A Deep Dive” 
  • Chanter Reeds - “Adjusting, Tuning, and Not Destroying” 
  • Polkas- “Dance music from County Kerry"  
  • “The Piping of Legendary Willie Clancy” - piper, pipe maker, instructor

We will have complementary tea, coffee, and snacks at check-in and throughout the day. PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN MUG to cut down on waste.

Lunch will be on-site. Students have the option to bring their own lunch or choose a sandwich from Jimmie John’s to be delivered to the school. Lunch will be $15.00 and will be collected at check-in -and will also include chips, drink, and a snack.

Women’s Piper Lunch Gathering and Session – open to all who are interested!!

Saturday Evening Concert featuring our instructors.  Concert ticket is included for attendees! (additional guest tickets can be purchased.)

After Concert Sessions – Bring your pipes to the concert- there will be sessions led by our instructors for beginner/early intermediate and an open session. 

We will be having a Raffle for some awesome “Piping Stuff”. We will have some items given away during the Welcome Talk- as well as at the concert. All proceeds go to help support the BRIMS Uilleann Piping Program- so bring some extra cash!!

All participants must have their own pipes. Intermediate and Advanced pipers should work to ensure their entire set is in playing condition. Beginners will be assisted - as able – onsite to address. issues as is possible.

Date: April 25, 2026

Location: Charlottesville Waldorf School Classrooms/Music Room.

Basic Schedule: (more specific details will be shared closer to our event)

Saturday:

  • Check-in 9am
  • Classes and Workshops 10-5:00 pm
  • Lunch- onsite 1:30pm
  • Evening Concert 7pm
  • After Concert Sessions 10:00pm- 12:00am

If you have question, please contact Piping Coordinator Randy Seelye. [email protected]

Registration Options - Select One

The Classes are divided based on “ability levels”. While many pipers over-estimate their ability - there are also some who under estimate their ability. We allow our students to choose their own ability level. It is important for you and the others in your class that you to be thorough and honest when determining your own ability.  If you find you are in the wrong level class- unable to keep up with the pace- we will assist you in getting into the class that will benefit you the most.  There is a specific number of students that will be accepted into each ability group. If you are wait listed, we will work to find you a place. You will be contacted to help work out a specific plan.

  • These classes will emphasis the foundational fundamentals that you need to be successful with playing the pipes: posture, pipe set position, bellows work, bag pressure management, chanter and hand position. Student’s individual goals will be addressed with ability appropriate tunes.

  • These classes will emphasis adding/expanding appropriate ornamentation to all types of tunes; adding drones to your play, and learning ability- appropriate tune(s). Tune selections will challenge the student giving them plenty of techniques to work on after the event. Specific student goals will be addressed.

  • These classes will challenge the advanced student with more difficult and complex tunes/ornamentation- incorporating the entire pipe set. Student’s individual goals will be addressed. These classes will move much faster and are meant for pipers who are good auditory learners and can learn new tunes quickly.

Workshop Classes - Select One

Saturday afternoon we will focus on specific workshop topics. Each Workshop Class will explore the listed topic in greater depth. Instructors will utilize a combination of demonstration as well instruction that will be tune-based. Students should sign- up for the workshop that interests them the most. There is a limit on the workshops - so if you do not get your first choice- go ahead and choose another.  If you did not get your first or second choice- please go ahead and sign-up for a workshop and let us know at check-in and we will see if we can make a change.


Workshops*

  • The Playing of Tommy Reck [Sold Out]

    Tommy Reck has a solid place in uillean piping history. His contribution to uilleann piping was significant. This workshop will explore the distinct nature of his playing. Students will have an opportunity to learn some of Tommy’s classic tunes as well as explore his path in learning the pipes and his particular style.

  • Chanter Reed Adjustments [Sold Out]

    Brandon brings a wealth of “piping knowledge”. He has become an excellent reed maker and will share his knowledge on adjusting your chanter reed , tuning, how to not destroy the reed!!

  • “How to make a tune more “Pipey” [Sold Out]

    Eamonn has an incredible ability to make any tune sound more “Pipey”. This workshop will focus on how to add ornamentation, phrasing, and variation to make any tune more a piper tune.

  • The Piping of Legendary Willie Clancy [Sold Out]

    Willie Clancy played a big part in reviving uilleann piping in the mid 1900’s. He had a distinctive and influential style - preserving the County Clare tradition. He mentored young players (like Liam O'Flynn), and establishing a major educational hub after his death - the Willie Clancy Summer School. He was an exceptional player, pipe maker, and piping instructor. This session will focus on his specific style of piping and some tunes he made famous.

A core goal of the BRIMS Tionól is to work to meet the need of each individual student. Every piper encounters obstacles in their learning process - that either interfere or seem to stop their progress. Each of our instructors will work to address the needs of each student in our small class size. While many students experience the same obstacles, we want to be sure each student leaves our course with a renewed ability to overcome their specific obstacles. Be sure to fill in your specific needs in the section below.

$25.00/ea.

The BRIMS Piping Program is funded completely by the Tionól registration fees and donations from private individuals. In the past, we have had individuals who have made donations that have made a big difference in our ability to bring the highest possible Uilleann Piping Instruction to Charlottesville. If you are able, please consider making a donation. Every little bit helps! Thanks again!!

$

Instructors

Eamonn Dillon

Born in West Belfast, Northern Ireland, uilleann piper and whistle player Eamonn Dillon has toured and recorded both as a solo artist and with a varied group of performers, touring shows and bands. Working between the US, Canada and Europe, his music has been featured on several film and television programs around the world. He has performed and recorded as a featured artist in both traditional, theatrical, and mixed genre ensembles, including Needfire, John McDermott, (The Irish Tenors,) Celtic Bridge, King James, Sarah Packham, and Palmoa Faith, among others. He first learned the tin whistle from his father, and Tara Diamond, before getting his first set of uilleann pipes, made by the great master Sean McAloon, who mentored him while starting out.

Joe Kelly

Joe has been piping since a teenager and has competed in many competitions in America and in Ireland. In the 2017 Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann, he took 3 rd place in the 15-18yo Solo Category; In the 2018 Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann, he took 1 st Place in the 15-18yo Trios Competition; In the 2025 Bonn Óir Seán Ó Riada Competition 2025, Cork Ire., he was a Finalist; He was asked to perform solo at 2025 SSWC – Willie Week Main Piping Concert

Kathleen Cavanaugh

Kathleen Dugan Cavanagh is an uilleann piper and tin whistle player currently living in Orlando, Florida. She first was drawn to the pipes after hearing Kieran O’Hare play with Mick Moloney’s “Green Fields of America” tour. And that was it. As an adult learner, she’s been pursuing piping ever since. Kathleen teaches lessons in piping virtually and in person and plays frequently with the group "Murphy’s Slaw"; at the Claddagh Cottage Irish Pub. She’s been a performer in the Central Florida area for years. In July of 2024, she was one of the performers at the Willie Clancy Summer School Piping Recital. She has taught uilleann piping at both the 2025 North East Tionól and the 2024-2025 South East Tionóls. Kathleen’s piping has mostly been influenced by the thoughts and playing of Benedict Koehler, Seán McKiernan, Brian McNamara, and Tommy Reck. In her spare time, she keeps honey bees.

Brandon Davis

Brandon has been obsessed with uilleann piping for fifteen years and counting. As a youth, he started and excelled with Great Highland Pipes. He then added Small Pipes- and eventually Uilleann Pipes. He has had instruction from many world class pipers at Tionóls and Workshops in the US and Ireland.  He has been hosting a local Irish session in Roanoke VA for fourteen years now and also host a slow session for the past five years. He has taught Pipes and Reeds a the last tew BRIMS Tionól. He is currently a member of the Star City Céilí Band playing various tin whistles and the Uilleann Pipes.

Stewart Pittman

Born in Williamsburg, he joined the Colonial Williamsburg Fifes and Drums in 1990 as a snare drummer. During his time as a young performer, he played for notable individuals such as Fred Rogers of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood in 1993 and in 1997 for the arrival and visit of Jiang Zemin, the Premier of China. After his tenure as a performer with the Fifes and Drums, Stewart worked for nearly eight years as a military history interpreter at Colonial Williamsburg’s Public Magazine while attending nearby Christopher Newport University. In the summer of 2006, Stewart was hired as drum instructor for the Fifes and Drums and as an event coordinator for the department of Historic Area Events. Stewart comes from a family of bagpipers, and he is a master at all manner of bagpipes and Celtic wind instruments. He was an early participant/supporter of the BRIMS Piping Program and has assisted in multiple BRIMS Tionóls – as an instructor and as a session facilitator. He can usually be found surrounded by tin whistles, low whistles and his particular favorite, the Uilleann pipes. He is one of the founding members of Celtic group – “Poisoned Dwarf “ and is a sought-after performer on the bagpipes and whistles with various Virginia Celtic ensembles.

Other Bits and Bobs

Free, accessible parking and restrooms on site. All classes and the concert are at the Charlottesville Waldorf School

Tea/coffee/water available all day- be sure to bring your own mug.

Check www.brimstunes.org/piping/tionol for site map, and additional travel information.

Participant Information

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