Hello, I'm Peter Purvis.

The Highland Bagpipe Academy is a guided online learning program that teaches beginners and novice pipers to play the bagpipes. With hundreds of instructional videos, hands-on exercises and over 30 tunes, The Highland Bagpipe Academy walks new players down a learning path based on their musical preferences. The curriculum is designed so that after a few short lessons a player will be able to learn something new, whether it's a new embellishment, tuning, maintenance or a new tune.

The lessons incorporate top-quality, video production to deliver a clear and unified curriculum. All instructional videos are taught at multiple speeds and views so there is no confusion. The tunes are interactive to manipulate parts, sections ands speeds to help assist in learning. 

The Highland Bagpipe Academy is available for anyone, from anywhere and at anytime.

I grew up in the small village of Merrickville, located in the Ottawa Valley, Canada -- An area famous for its fiddle players, step dancing and maple syrup.

I began playing the Highland pipes at the age of 12 and began playing the Uilleann pipes and Irish whistle at the age of 16. Growing up, I had great opportunities to play with some of Canada's finest pipe bands and receive lessons from some of the best-known pipers in the world. It was these lessons from elite pipers at a very young age that helped to mold me into the player I am today. ​

I have an accomplished solo career, winning several championship supreme titles in North America as well as gold medals in both light music and Piobaireachd at the North American championships. My solo career took me to Gr. 1 before taking a leave from competitions to play with the internationally touring band, Gaelic Storm.  

I has been a part of the band Gaelic Storm since 2004.  I have recorded 2 DVDs and 10 albums with the band, 7 of which were #1 in World music on the Billboard charts. Gaelic Storm has earned a reputation as one of the world-music scene’s preeminent Celtic bands. The group’s ability to deftly incorporate a rock sensibility into their sound affords them rare crossover appeal. In recent years, they’ve performed on the same bill with acts, ranging from Zac Brown Band to Emmylou Harris, at events as varied as the Telluride Bluegrass Festival to Milwaukee’s Summer Fest. 

When I'm not on the road with the band, I teach the highland pipes, uilleann pipes and tin whistle online. I'm also a registered piano technician "Piano Tuner" in Chicago. When I'm not busy touring, teaching or tuning you can find me running marathons or spending time with my wonderful wife and 2 kids.