Teaching is Marsha Bell's passion. She enjoys sharing her love of piping with everyone, from those who are putting their fingers around a practice chanter for the first time to students who play in bands and compete at Highland Games. The learning process fascinates her,  and she finds she learns as much teaching as her students learn taking lessons.

In 2003, Marsha began teaching at the encouragement of Roddy MacLeod, Principal of the National Piping Centre in Glasgow, Scotland, and Ken Eller, formerly of the 78th Fraser Highlanders of Toronto. In 2003 and 2004, she was asked to assist with beginning students
at the summer school of the National Piping Centre at  Shenandoah University in Winchester, VA. In 2005, 2006, and 2007, she was a Student Teaching Assistant at the school.   Marsha holds the Tutor Certificate with the Scottish Institute of Piping. She enjoys teaching immensely, and considers it her primary calling.

Marsha's studio is in her home, located just off I-395 at King Street in Alexandria, VA.  The studio is light, roomy and well equipped. She has a large music library, a large CD lending library, and a computer dedicated to BMW Gold, the bagpipe music program.

Marsha teaches beginners through intermediates (starting to play in Grade 3 in Eastern United States Pipe Band Association contests), from casual players to those with an eye towards competition and band membership. Her students range in  age from pre-teens through mature adults. Almost no one is too old to learn. Anyone whose hands are able to cover the holes on a practice chanter is usually ready to start lessons. A previous musical background, although helpful, is not necessary. Bagpipes have their own peculiarities which make learning to play them quite different from learning other instruments. 

Beginners learn correct techniques upon which to build a solid foundation.   Marsha emphasizes correct execution of the many embellishments found in piping,  proper rhythms and tempos, good expression, steady blowing, pipe maintenance, and other fundamentals of  piping musicianship.

Marsha teaches Light Music, which includes marches, strathspeys, reels, and hornpipes, Ceol Meag (the 'Middle Music'), which includes jigs and slow airs, and Piobaireachd, the classical form of pipe music.

Guiding Marsha in her teaching are Paula Glendining and Winter Taylor. She also has several
non-piping music and non-music educators who offer assistance when needed.

Marsha welcomes new students. Contact her with further questions, or to schedule a lesson.

Scott on his Gibson Fireside Pipes

Tommy and his Dunbar DB-2's

On the High Road to Gairloch

Working hard on the Piper's Scale Challenge.

Lauraleen on her John Walsh Shuttle Pipes

Terry on the practice goose.   Next step, her own pipes.

Mark - proof positive that really hard work does pay off.

Julie on her McMurchie's.

On a goose with a pipe chanter and cane reed.