Kariann Owens (The Scarlet Piper)

While many people associate the bagpipe with funerals, the sound of the pipe was also used to bring hope in times of war, merriment to dances and parties, and a legitimacy to public, and often royal, ceremonies. While those traditions stand today, it is also becoming common to hear the bagpipe played at graduation ceremonies, grand openings, and of course, in parades.

Because the bagpipe is loud, I often perform outdoors, especially for extended performances. Indoor performances typically last 3-15 minutes, depending on the event. I can play at the beginning and end of the event, or somewhere in the middle. It is customary to pipe a casket to the grave, the wedding party to the wedding, at the beginning or end of a moment of silence, the graduates and faculty to their seats or as they exit, after a dedicatory prayer or speech, and when figuratively passing the baton to a new leader.

I have performed for law enforcement, government officials, fire departments, military ceremonies, colleges and universities, family parties, block parties, community celebrations, numerous weddings and funerals, veteran associations, Scottish and Irish festivals and events, fund raisers, small and large parades, birthdays, and more. Additionally, I organize and produce major pipe band concerts each year and coordinate events for the three bands in the Wasatch & District organization of pipe bands.

Every event is different, and so each performance also needs to be different. In addition to my own performance, I can also provide additional pipers, drummers, Scottish and Irish dancers, or an entire pipe band. Please contact me to discuss the specific needs of your event and how we can make your event unforgettable.

I was born in California but spent a few years living in Scotland after my Navy dad was transferred to the Holy Loch Naval Base. My family traded the highlands of Scotland for the red rocks of Utah just before my fourth birthday. To honor and remember our time among the Scots, my family attended the local Scottish Festival each year; that is where my love for the pipes began.

I have been fortunate to have some incredible instructors over the years. Each of my instructors has helped me become a proficient musician. It's because of them that I feel confident each time I pick up a bagpipe and it's to their credit that I have been so successful in my competitive career. While many pipers call themselves "professionals," few of them can claim that title competitively. I currently compete as an advanced piper and am working towards becoming a professional competitive piper. Competitive standards are much higher than performance standards, and you can rest assured that my performance quality is excellent.

Whether you need one bagpipe, many bagpipes, a band, or a performance troupe four your event, I would be honored work with you and ultimately to perform for you.

As bagpipes are a decently loud instrument, no additional equipment is necessary.