Bagpiper - Paul Macleish
- Tampa, FL
- Bagpiper
- 35 Verified Bookings
Larry R. said “Paul was awesome! He made the event special. Can’t thank him enough.”
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Hi there! My name is Gemma Briggs, and I am a 24-year-old professional bagpiper from Clearwater, Florida. I have a passion for sharing Celtic music with the world and have been a bagpiper for 13 years. I specialize in live performances at events such as weddings, funerals, private parties, corporate events, and more.
I still travel to solo compete, and pride myself in quality musicianship. I perform in full Highland dress, adding an authentic touch to my performances.
I am currently working on my first solo album and am excited to share my love of bagpiping with audiences everywhere. If you're interested in booking me for an event, please feel free to visit my website or reach out!
I'm of Scottish heritage. We hired Gemme to play for my 70th birthday party. I thought it would be a fitting end to the party and bagpipes might be a signal for everyone to go home:) Instead it was a real hit. Everyone loved her. The women wanted to be her and the men wanted to be with her .
Professional and talented young lady!
We hired Gemma to add a special surprise touch for my British husband celebrating his nautralization and new American citizenship. Gemma was fantastic to work with, making suggestions of appropriate Scottish and American songs as well as adding my choices, too. She texted with me just prior to the event to plan the perfect entrance time, and strolled into our backyard wearing her kilt, sporran, and knee socks. My husband was touched - he said the pipes reminded him of what home feels like, no matter where he is in the world. In between songs, Gemma answered questions about the pipes and even took requests, including fun choices like Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'" as well as the traditional jigs and reels. Gemma turned our happy celebration into a truly memorable and extraordinary event. Thank you, Gemma!
Awesome experience . Unbelievable execution of songs. Very personable.
Extremely accommodating as it was a surprise; her flexibility and her proactive communication made it very accommodating for me. She went above and beyond by explaining the Scottish heritage of the instrument and the songs. Gemma is a gem!!
Response from Gemma Briggs Bagpiping:
Wow, thank you so much for the amazing review Ted! It was a pleasure surprising everyone and it makes me happy that they enjoyed it so.
Gemma arrived early and mades sure that she was well informed of the Marine Corps retirement ceremony that she played a large part in. She performed flawlessly while also quickly finding empty spaces in the ceremony to fill in with extra performance. I highly recommend Gemma for any event.
Gemma was straightforward to book. She is a great player, and everyone loved her at the end of the wedding. There were some last-minute changes to wedding times beyond my control, and she could handle it with a smile. I would book her again.
Gemma is so professional and accommodating. She is very talented and made my Uncle's service extra special.
Gemma showed up on time and reqdy to go. She wowed the crowd. We could not be more pleased with her performance. We will definitely have her back.
Response from Gemma Briggs Bagpiping:
Thank you so much for having me at the Tournament David! It was a blast to get to play for such an appreciative and festive crowd.
Where do I start, so much positive to write down. I’ll start with perfect and end with perfect. I requested Gemma to play for my 40th birthday party. The party was located at a private residence with my family and closest friends in attendance. I can tell you she was unquestionably the highlight of the evening. Her incredible musical skills aside she is also a fantastic person. Like the other reviews here, she was flexible and detail oriented. She even played happy birthday which made my night. If it was possible to give ten stars I would because she earned it. Don’t think about it anymore, if you’re looking for a bagpiper you found her. Hopefully I make it to 50 so I can hire her again!
Response from Gemma Briggs Bagpiping:
Thank you so much Paul! Hope to see you again at 50!!
Gemma was easy to work with and she made her queue on time with a flawless performance.
Response from Gemma Briggs Bagpiping:
I'm so glad you enjoyed the performance Jeff, thank you very much!
I am the organizer of a 9/11 memorial stair climb fundraiser and my out of town bagpiper cancelled on me 3 days before my 10/16/21 event. Frantically I put out a request on Gigsalad for a bagpiper and while I waited for responses I reviewed profiles of some of the possible pipers who might be responding. I was blown away by what I read about Gemma and was beyond thrilled when she responded a few minutes later that she was available and interested in performing. After talking to her about our event it became clear that she was the perfect person for the job! Her philosophy about the events she wants to get involved with perfectly matches our mission to honor the first responders who died on 9/11 and to support the military and first responders who have been wounded or died since then. The sentiment and emotion that she brought to our ceremony brought tears to people’s eyes and goose bumps to people’s skin. That is not an exaggeration! Her performance could not have been any more perfect or beautiful! Gemma is not just a bagpiper who picks up her pipes when she is bored. She is a true musician, a professional who was born to share her many musical talents with us! I can’t imagine there is a better bagpiper in all of Central Florida or even in the entire state! We loved her performance so much that we hired her again a couple weeks later for an event in Trinity/Pasco County and I am working hard to get her named as the official bagpiper of our organization. Going forward our events would just not be complete without her there bagpiping for us! I am so glad I found her and I can’t wait for our next event so we can enjoy her beautiful music live once again! Check her out! Be prepared to be blown away! (Pun not intended but totally appropriate!)
Response from Gemma Briggs Bagpiping:
Christa, thank you so much for this awesome review! It means so much that my piping added such a special touch for you, and this is exactly why I do what I do. Thank you for supporting my bagpiping, I love playing meaningful events for awesome organizations like Tunnels to Towers and know I'll see you again soon!
So happy we booked Gemma. She’s got a great attitude and personality and is super fun to watch! Her music is also beautiful. Thanks Gemma!
Response from Gemma Briggs Bagpiping:
Thank you Sarah! I had a blast playing for everyone!
Gemma provided a wonderful performance despite the changes in plans that were thrown at her. I am going to keep her info handy so that I can guide others to her.
Response from Gemma Briggs Bagpiping:
Thank you very much for your positive feedback! It was great to work with you and your family, and I'm delighted to hear you were satisfied with the performance.
Price Range: Contact for rates
Languages: English, Spanish
I will arrive dressed in full highland regalia, including the kilt, sporran, ghillies, jacket, and more. I always arrive early to tune and plan my performance, and am happy to work with you on logistics. I can advise you on how to best tailor the pipes to your event, including when and what to play. Professionalism as a musician is important to me, and I will treat your event with respect and decorum.
I started playing the bagpipes at the young age of 11 in Dunedin, FL because my school offered free lessons. I was instantly hooked! My first few years were spent honking away, but I excelled quickly and began competing as a soloist and with bands. I played for Tampa Bay Pipe Band and continued to hone my piping skills learning from Scottish and Canadian bagpiping masters.
A bagpipe scholarship took me to the College of Wooster, a liberal arts school near Cleveland, OH with a strong Scottish connection. I played countless concerts, publicity events, recruitment dinners, sports games, and private gigs as a representative of the college, gaining experience as a professional musician while I earned my Neuroscience degree. I had the honor of leading the band as the College of Wooster Pipe Major during my senior year, and was selected as one of only 20 pipers to compete in the Balmoral Classic US Junior Solo Bagpiping Championships. I am now a Grade 2 player, with a goal of becoming Open Professional within the next few years. I also play the piano, guitar, sing, and compose my own music.
Today, I have played hundreds of gigs and I love to share the art of bagpiping with the world. I look forward to bringing my musical passion to your event.
Yours in piping,
Gemma Briggs
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October 11, 2024 • 12:00pm - 1:00pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
April 27, 2024 • 1:00pm - 2:00pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
March 02, 2024 • 5:00pm - 5:30pm | Birthday Party |
February 11, 2024 • 1:00pm - 1:30pm | Birthday Party |
January 06, 2024 • 7:30pm - 8:00pm | Birthday Party |
December 09, 2023 • 10:30am - 12:30pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
October 31, 2023 • 11:30am - 12:30pm | Nonprofit Event |
October 14, 2023 • 5:00pm - 5:45pm | Wedding Ceremony |
September 30, 2023 • 2:30pm - 2:45pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
August 18, 2023–August 19, 2023 • 11:30pm - 12:00am | Funeral/Memorial Service |
August 10, 2023 • 1:00pm - 1:30pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
July 22, 2023 • 6:00pm - 6:15pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
April 22, 2023 • 7:30pm - 8:00pm | Birthday Party |
February 03, 2023 • 12:30pm - 12:45pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
January 25, 2023 • 12:00pm - 12:15pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
December 10, 2022 • 2:00pm - 2:45pm | House Party |
December 03, 2022 • 11:30am - 12:30pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
November 05, 2022 • 10:30am - 11:00am | Funeral/Memorial Service |
October 12, 2022 • 12:00pm - 1:00pm | Corporate Event |
August 06, 2022 • 7:30pm - 8:00pm | Surprise |
July 21, 2022 • 8:00pm - 8:15pm | Birthday Party |
June 16, 2022 • 12:30pm - 12:45pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
June 05, 2022 • 2:00pm - 3:00pm | Retirement Party |
April 23, 2022 • 5:30pm - 6:00pm | Wedding Ceremony |
April 10, 2022 • 5:30pm - 5:45pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
March 22, 2022 • 10:30am - 11:00am | Funeral/Memorial Service |
March 17, 2022 • 12:30pm - 1:00pm | Sporting Event |
February 12, 2022 • 6:00pm - 6:30pm | Birthday Party |
January 20, 2022 • 1:30pm - 2:30pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
November 29, 2021 • 2:00pm - 3:00pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
November 20, 2021 • 7:00pm - 7:15pm | Fundraiser |
November 12, 2021 • 3:00pm - 6:00pm | Corporate Event |
November 03, 2021 • 10:00am - 10:30am | Nonprofit Event |
October 16, 2021 • 8:00am - 9:00am | Fundraiser |
April 23, 2021 • 11:00am - 11:30am | Funeral/Memorial Service |
Bagpipe Repertoire
Misc.
Amazing Grace
The Flower of Scotland
Danny Boy (Londonderry Air)
Going Home
Skye Boat Song
Scots Wae Hae
Highland Laddie
Scotland The Brave
High Road to Gairloch
Orange and Blue
Highland cathedral
Auld Lang Syne
Loch Lomond
Green Hills of Tyrol
Dawning of the Day
Bonnie Galloway
Reels
Drumlithie
The Blackberry Bush
Dr. McPhail’s Reel
Itchy fingers
Strathspey
Catlodge
Doune of Invernochty
Inverary Castle
Lady MacKenzie of Gairloch
6/8
The Atholl Highlanders
The Heights of Cassino
2/4 March
Alan Dodd’s Farewell to Scotland
Invergordon’s welcome to HMQE II
74th highlanders farewell to Edinburgh
Mrs. John MacColl
Hornpipe
Newmarket House
Beth Tobin
The Busy Bee?
Jig
Archie Beag
Paddy’s Leather Breeches
Mason’s Apron
Sandy Thompson
N/A
Larry R. said “Paul was awesome! He made the event special. Can’t thank him enough.”
Gene said “Toni and her husband were able to come out on short notice and provide and amazing tribute, followed by and Irish toast for the unfortunate passing of…”
George C. said “All the songs I requested and more that I didn’t know about.”
Amy P. said “I can’t say enough wonderful things about Mr. Akins! He responded to my plea for a bagpiper (for my father’s funeral) when no one else did. He was easy…”