Pipe Major Michael Waters

Top Performer

Highlands, NC

$250 minumum

Travels up to 120 miles

Get a free quick quote
Promotional video thumbnail 1 for Pipe Major Michael Waters

Robert Burn's Birthday

Promotional video thumbnail 2 for Pipe Major Michael Waters

Live from Kilronan Castle, Ireland

Promotional video thumbnail 3 for Pipe Major Michael Waters

Braveheart theme on Uilleann Pipes

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Highland CATHEDRAL

Gallery photo 1 of Pipe Major Michael Waters

Queensferry, Scotland

Gallery photo 2 of Pipe Major Michael Waters

Highlands Country Club Wedding

Gallery photo 3 of Pipe Major Michael Waters

Georgia Wedding

Gallery photo 4 of Pipe Major Michael Waters

Highlands NC Wedding

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Graduation 2025 University of North Carolina

Gallery photo 6 of Pipe Major Michael Waters

A wedding in the Nantahla National forest 11/2025

Overview

I have been piping professionally in the Highlands, NC area since 1988. I am a full time musician; devoting all my time to practice and performance. I have earned prizes for piping competitions at many events in the USA and Canada. I have studied piping with the finest pipers in Scotland.


Reviews

11 reviews

Small thumbnail image for reviewer Jimmie S. C.

Jimmie S. C.

May 13, 2026
Verified review

Excellent Uillean Pipes Player

Michael's playing was the perfect addition to our small intimate wedding ceremony. He played the Uilleann Pipes and played them wonderfully. Will definitely hire him for our next event!

Hired as: Bagpiper


Small thumbnail image for reviewer Nancy S.

Nancy S.

April 29, 2026
Verified review

Seasoned piper and great communication

Excellent experience! Piper Major Michael Waters was responsive, professional, and a very talented, seasoned piper. He even adjusted and traveled to Greenville, SC after our Asheville venue canceled just weeks before the wedding. So grateful!

Hired as: Bagpiper


Small thumbnail image for reviewer Lillian

Lillian

April 10, 2026
Verified review

Perfect thing to add to our walk out!

Pipe Major Michael was the perfect thing to add to our special day! Could not recommend a better bag piper

Hired as: Bagpiper


Small thumbnail image for reviewer Sheila A.

Sheila A.

March 11, 2026
Verified review

Professional and talented

Michael played at my mother’s memorial service. He assisted in selecting the music, and had wonderful suggestions. Hearing “Amazing Grace” on the pipes at the graveside service was very special and a wonderful memory for my family.

Hired as: Bagpiper


Small thumbnail image for reviewer Kristin C.

Kristin C.

September 14, 2025
Verified review

Wonderful

He did an excellent job. It was really appreciated.

Hired as: Bagpiper

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Booking information

Price range: $250 minumum

Languages: English, Spanish

Gig length: 20 - 120 minutes

Insurance: $1,000,000 - Full Liability Insurance for every event

What to expect

I dress for each performance in full Celtic Regalia. I provide professional world class bagpipe music.

About

I have been piping professionally for almost 50 years. I have retired from teaching music at Western Carolina University and now devote all my time to practicing and performing music on the great highland bagpipes.
I was fortunate to study with some of the greatest pipers of the 20th century: Seamus MacNeill and Duncan Johnstone. I was pipe major of Highlands NC Pipes and Drums for 35 years. I have a very busy performing schedule. I enjoy this.

Additional booking notes

I carry all I need.

Services offered

Upcoming booked events

June 2026

05

Friday

Welcome Back Party

5:30pm - 7:00pm

06

Saturday

Canongate HS graduation

10:30am - 12:30pm

July 2026

03

Friday

Chatooga Club Party

3:00pm - 6:00pm

11

Saturday

Wedding

3:30pm - 5:30pm

August 2026

05

Wednesday

Funeral/Memorial Service

2:00pm - 3:00pm

Black Mountain, NC

08

Saturday

Bobby Jones Tournament

5:30pm - 7:30pm

September 2026

12

Saturday

Wedding

4:30pm - 6:30pm

24

Thursday

Member Guest Tournament

5:30pm - 7:00pm

26

Saturday

Member Guest Tournament

6:00pm - 8:00pm

Past booked events

June 2026

01

Monday

Anniversary Party

5:30pm - 6:30pm

May 2026

30

Saturday

Funeral/Memorial Service

2:30pm - 3:00pm

Greenville, SC

25

Monday

Memorial Day

2:00pm - 3:30pm

22

Friday

Wedding

4:30pm - 6:00pm

21

Thursday

Graduation Celebration

2:00pm - 4:00pm

16

Saturday

Emmaus Walk

8:00pm - 9:30pm

16

Saturday

Chatooga CLub Wedding

4:00pm - 6:00pm

09

Saturday

UNCA GRADUATIONS

8:30am - 5:00pm

05

Tuesday

Wedding Ceremony

4:00pm - 4:30pm

Ooltewah, TN

02

Saturday

Langella Wedding

3:30pm - 5:30pm

April 2026

25

Saturday

Wedding Ceremony

4:30pm - 5:15pm

Greenville, SC

17

Friday

Anniversary Party

7:30pm - 8:00pm

Lawrenceville, GA

03

Friday

Wedding Ceremony

1:30pm - 1:45pm

Toccoa, GA

March 2026

27

Friday

Wedding

4:00pm - 6:00pm

21

Saturday

Wedding

1:00pm - 3:00pm

19

Thursday

Firefighter Funeral

10:30am - 12:00pm

07

Saturday

Birthday Party

10:30am - 11:00am

Clemson, SC

February 2026

28

Saturday

Emmaus Walk

8:00pm - 9:00pm

21

Saturday

Funeral/Memorial Service

11:00am - 11:30am

Morristown, TN

15

Sunday

Tartans Museum Burns Supper

5:00pm - 7:00pm

January 2026

28

Wednesday

Burn's Supper Scotssman Public House

5:30pm - 8:30pm

24

Saturday

Burn Supper Tartans Museum

5:00pm - 7:30pm

23

Friday

Burns Supper

5:00pm - 8:00pm

01

Thursday

New Year Paty

3:30pm - 6:00pm

December 2025

29

Monday

Wedding Ceremony

1:30pm - 3:00pm

Hendersonville, NC

12

Friday

Graduation UNCA

12:00pm - 3:00pm

November 2025

09

Sunday

Funeral/Memorial Service

9:30am - 11:00am

Cumming, GA

07

Friday

WCU Homecoming Parade

4:30pm - 5:30pm

03

Monday

First Responders Benefit

8:00am - 9:30am

02

Sunday

First Responders Benefit

5:00pm - 8:00pm

01

Saturday

Castle Wedding

2:00pm - 4:00pm

October 2025

18

Saturday

Wedding

3:00pm - 5:00pm

September 2025

27

Saturday

Emmaus Walk

8:00pm - 9:00pm

26

Friday

Wedding Banner Elk NC

6:00pm - 7:30pm

20

Saturday

Member Guest Golf Torunament

6:00pm - 7:30pm

18

Thursday

Member Guest Golf Torunament

6:00pm - 7:00pm

12

Friday

Personal Occasion

1:00pm - 2:00pm

Fountain Inn, SC

August 2025

30

Saturday

Funeral/Memorial Service

11:30pm - 1:00am (Sun)

Jacksboro, TN

22

Friday

Memorial Service

6:00pm - 7:00pm

09

Saturday

Bobby Jones Golf Turnament

6:00pm - 8:00pm

09

Saturday

Lake Toxaway Wedding

4:00pm - 5:00pm

01

Friday

Olde Edwards Inn Highlands, NC

4:00pm - 6:00pm

July 2025

23

Wednesday

Member Guest Golf Torunament

10:00am - 11:00am

19

Saturday

Funeral Franklin, NC

2:00pm - 3:00pm

03

Thursday

Private Party

5:00pm - 6:00pm

June 2025

29

Sunday

Wedding Ceremony

3:00pm - 5:00pm

27

Friday

Wedding Old Edwards Inn Highlands, NC

4:00pm - 6:00pm

21

Saturday

Funeral Waynesville, NC

10:30am - 2:00pm

13

Friday

Wedding

4:00pm - 5:00pm

07

Saturday

Wedding Reception

6:00pm - 6:30pm

Hartwell, GA

06

Friday

Welcome Back Party

6:00pm - 7:00pm

May 2025

31

Saturday

Canongate HS Graduation

10:00am - 1:00pm

26

Monday

Memorial Day Service

3:00pm - 3:30pm

26

Monday

American Legion

10:00am - 11:30am

17

Saturday

Methodist Walk

8:30pm - 9:00pm

17

Saturday

Wedding

4:30pm - 6:00pm

17

Saturday

Funeral Burnsville, NC

9:00am - 10:00am

16

Friday

Law Enforcement Memorial

11:00am - 1:00pm

10

Saturday

Castle. Ladyhawk Wedding

2:00pm - 5:30pm

10

Saturday

Graduation

9:30am - 1:00pm

09

Friday

Funeral/Memorial Service

2:30pm - 3:00pm

Atlanta, GA

03

Saturday

Wedding Ceremony

3:30pm - 4:30pm

Anderson, SC

April 2025

17

Thursday

Funeral Service

All-day event

14

Monday

Corporate Event

4:30pm - 4:45pm

Simpsonville, SC

05

Saturday

Funeral/Memorial Service

2:00pm - 2:30pm

Spartanburg, SC

04

Friday

Funeral/Memorial Service

3:00pm - 3:30pm

Powell, TN

March 2025

29

Saturday

Chapel Hill Funeral

All-day event

17

Monday

Holiday Party

6:00pm - 8:00pm

Knoxville, TN

16

Sunday

St Patrick Party

1:00pm - 3:00pm

15

Saturday

Wild Wing Cafe

7:30pm - 8:30pm

15

Saturday

Daddy Mac Tavern

6:00pm - 7:00pm

15

Saturday

Holiday Party

9:00am - 10:30am

Greenville, SC

08

Saturday

Roar Clemson St Patrick's Day

All-day event

06

Thursday

Funeral Townsend, TN

1:00pm - 4:00pm

01

Saturday

Emmaus Walk

7:00pm - 9:00pm

February 2025

10

Monday

Rogers Funeral

6:00pm - 7:00pm

January 2025

26

Sunday

Burns Supper

4:00pm - 8:00pm

24

Friday

Robert Burns Supper

5:00pm - 7:30pm

22

Wednesday

Burns Supper

5:00pm - 8:30pm

22

Wednesday

Robert Burns Supper

5:00pm - 8:00pm

18

Saturday

Funeral/Memorial Service

3:00pm - 3:30pm

Leicester, NC

18

Saturday

Worship Service

11:30am - 12:30pm

Hendersonville, NC

December 2024

21

Saturday

Wedding Old Edwards Inn Highlands, NC

4:00pm - 6:30pm

13

Friday

UNCA Graduation

2:00pm - 6:00pm

01

Sunday

Funeral/Memorial Service

2:30pm - 2:45pm

Blountville, TN

November 2024

30

Saturday

Funeral/Memorial Service

3:00pm - 3:30pm

Piedmont, SC

October 2024

12

Saturday

Wedding Ceremony

4:00pm - 5:00pm

Rock Hill, SC

07

Monday

Funeral/Memorial Service

5:30pm - 6:30pm

Townsend, TN

September 2024

21

Saturday

Member Guest Golf Tournament

5:30pm - 7:30pm

19

Thursday

Member Guest Golf Tournament

6:00pm - 7:00pm

14

Saturday

Wedding

1:00pm - 2:00pm

07

Saturday

Wedding

4:00pm - 6:00pm

02

Monday

Birthday Party

11:00am - 11:30am

Seymour, TN

August 2024

10

Saturday

Birthday Party

8:00pm - 9:00pm

10

Saturday

Bobby Jones Golf Tournament

6:00pm - 7:30pm

10

Saturday

Funeral/Memorial Service

3:00pm - 3:15pm

Seneca, SC

03

Saturday

Member Guest Golf Tournament

5:30pm - 7:00pm

July 2024

22

Monday

Wedding

9:30am - 12:00pm

20

Saturday

Wedding

4:00pm - 8:00pm

20

Saturday

Funeral

9:00am - 11:30am

18

Thursday

Funeral/Memorial Service

3:30pm - 4:00pm

Roebuck, SC

07

Sunday

Birthday Party

3:00pm - 3:45pm

Acworth, GA

05

Friday

Funeral/Memorial Service

9:30am - 10:30am

Greeneville, TN

Set list

I play traditional bagpipe music from Scotland and Ireland : Marches, Jigs, Strathspeys, Reels, Hornpipes, as well as song adaptations.

Influences and inspiration

My piping style comes from my teacher; Duncan Johnstone of Glasgow Scotland. Other influences are Mahler, Mozart, and PDQ Bach.

Setup requirements

Water, no ice.

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