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recognized composer of bagpipe music, and a dedicated
teacher. She is known for her attention to detail, hard
work, creativity, and drive for excellence.
Marsha first came to piping in January 1999, when she
started lessons with Janice Varner of Alexandria, VA.
From that first lesson, Marsha knew she had found the
music that would let her heart sing.
Previously, Marsha had an extensive background in flute
performance. Marsha studied flute with Alice Chase of
the Tri-Cities Opera (Binghamton, NY), Samuel Barron, of
the New York Woodwind Quintet, and Georgetta Gatto
Maiolo, child prodigy of the legendary Marcel Moyse. She
played Second Flute with the Binghamton Symphony,
and taught a number of flute students while living in
Upstate New York.
In 2000, Marsha was the Grade 4 Senior Piper of the Year
with the Eastern States Pipe Band Association. She won
the Grade 4 EUSPBA Championship that year at the
Ligonier Highland Games. She has multiple Piper of the
Day awards in both Grade 4 and Grade 3.
Always eager to learn more, Marsha has attended schools
and workshops in the United States and Canada, and
spent a week in 2001 taking lessons at the National
Piping Centre in Glasgow, Scotland. She has taken
classes or workshop sessions with many of the top
pipers in the world, including winners of both Gold
Medals, The Glenfiddich, The Bratach Gorm, and The Clasp.
Currently, Marsha studies Piobaireachd with Paula
Glendinning of Ashton, MD. Paula is a member of the
Grade 1 City of Washington Pipe Band, and competes
in the United States, Canada and Scotland. She is a
member of the EUSPBA Judges Panel. Marsha studies
Light Music with Chris Hamilton of Frederick MD. Chris is
the Pipe Major of the Grade 3 MacMillan Pipe Band, and is
a member of the EUSPBA Judges Panel. Chris is the
proud owner of Tone Czar, and is a much sought after
teacher for schools and workshops. In addition to
Paula and Chris, Marsha is mentored by Winter Taylor
of Atlanta, GA.
Composing pipe music is second nature to Marsha. A
framed copy of her tune, "The National Piping Centre
at Shenandoah University" hangs at the National Piping
Centre in Glasgow, Scotland. Five of her tunes are
published in the Tone Czar Collection, compiled by
Chris Hamilton. Two of her tunes recently received
favorable reviews in New Zealand Pipe Band Magazine.
The Scots Guards have asked permission to include
one of her tunes, "Lament for HMS ARDENT" in Volume III
of Standard Settings for Pipe Music, which is currently
being compiled.
Marsha holds a Level Four Certificate and the Tutor
Certificate with the Scottish Institute of Piping. She is
the Pipe Sergeant of the MacMillan-Birtles Memorial Pipe
Band, the 2007 Grade 5 North American Pipe Band Champions,
led by P/M Steve Sharp.
Married to David Bell, a bassoonist and contrabassoonist,
Marsha lives in Alexandria, VA. They have two grown sons,
Robin and Justin. David and Marsha live with a dog named
Macy, a cat named Hudson, and four birds: Vanessa, Libbie,
Gavin, and Hobart.
