J.V. Hudson
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Raleigh, NC
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Bagpiper
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142 Verified Bookings
Aaron M. said “We enjoyed him coming. Cordial, professional, authentic, and talented!”
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Demonstration at a NCSU Honors Celtic Music class
Peggy's Cove Lighthouse, Nova Scotia, Canada
Sanctuary Dedication, Nassua Bay Baptist Church, Houston, Texas
Traditional Scottish uniform in MacInnes tartan
Piping in Time Square
Sandbar Wedding in Southport, NC
Sandbar Wedding in Southport, NC with Bride and Groom
Kirkin of the Tartan at Union Prebyterian Church in Gastonia, NC
Scots & Brats Festival Clinton SC
I'm a traditional Scottish great highland bagpiper for weddings, funerals, charity events, holiday parties, education events, graduation, golf tournaments, public safety, and birthday parties in the Charlotte area and all of North and South Carolina. I wear my clan tartan, MacInnes, and I've been playing for 14 years.
For a quieter, more intimate indoor option, I also offer the shuttle pipes (video and audio coming soon) as an alternative to the great highland bagpipes.
Ally couldn’t have been easier to work with. She was highly responsive to my texts, which made pulling off the birthday surprise a cinch! Her playing was amazing too, of course!
Professional, on time and incredibly talented will definitely book again!
Ally played at my party and it was super! She was easy to work with and everything was smooth and stress free. I would recommend her to anyone looking for a great piper!
Ally was early and prepared. We asked her to meander thru the crowd so everyone could enjoy and her playing ability added to our event exactly as planned. Very pleasant he would certainly hire again.
Response from Charlotte Bagpiper Ally McKinnis:
Thank you Dan for inviting me to play!
Ally played for our Congregation on Reformation Sunday and was enjoyed by all!
Response from Charlotte Bagpiper Ally McKinnis:
Thank you Suzanne for the lovely review! It was a great treat to get to be with your congregation on a very important day in the church’s history.
Ally did a great job. Many attending commented on how moving the music was.
Ally was amazing. Talented and the perfect fit for Scots & Brats.
Response from Charlotte Bagpiper Ally McKinnis:
Thanks for the review Adele! It was a pleasure to perform and what a lovely event!!
We could not be happier with Ally’s performance at my daughter’s Scottish mountain wedding. Despite the torrential rain storm, she played with grace and professionalism.
Ally went above and beyond for her special surprise performance at my daughter's wedding! She put in extra effort and took the time to learn a new song, a traditional regional hymn from Spain. Ally, I cannot thank you enough for making the day extra special for everyone, especially for the groom, groom's family and all of the attendees from Asturias! You did an exceptional job, and we truly appreciate it!! Lori B.
Well done, Ally!
Very honored to have Ally play for our non-profit event! Will absolutely ask her to play again!
Response from Charlotte Bagpiper Ally McKinnis:
Charlene, it was so beautiful to be able to be at your event and play the bagpipes! I can tell the one-star review was purely accidental; no worries!
Ally was great, she shared how the bagpipes are played, and the mechanics, with the residents.
Ally played for our event again this year and was fabulous - again! She’s such a pro and pleasure to work with. Her musicianship is top-notch. She delivered the perfect atmosphere and mood thanks to her special knack and abilities to get things just right. She’s always on time and ready to go. We love having her play and visit our church and look forward to seeing her again next year!
A PURE DELIGHT , QUITE A SURPRISE FOR THOSE ATENDING. THIS WAS A MEMORIAL EVENT FOR MY LATE WIFE. EVERONE LOVED THE MUSIC SELECTION. MANY THANKS........
Ally came to play for our Kirkin' O' The Tartans Worship Service and was FANTASTIC! Not only is she personable and friendly, she's incredibly talented and a joy to work with. She arrived on time and her music was perfect. Her performance was top-notch. I would recommend her to everyone. She's a "real pro!" We can't wait for the next time!
It was our pleasure to have Ally play at the dedication of our new worship center. Her performance was just the added touch that made the occasion so special. She is a true professional and plays with heart and conviction. I can highly recommend her for your consideration. Dr. David B Fannin, Senior Pastor, Nassau Bay Baptist Church, Houston, Tx
I hired Ally to play an "Amazing Grace" as a surprise for a friend at a local business. Having lived in Scotland for three years, I heard a lot of Scottish bagpipers on the streets and at special events. Ally's ability is equal to one of the most experienced bagpipers I have an opportunity to meet! As Ally was playing, few tears were shed. It was touching and beautiful. I will definitely hire her again in the future!
Price Range: $125-$700
Languages: English
As a Scottish-American I have been playing the bagpipes for over 12 years. It is my passion to bring the music of bagpipes to make events spectacular. I am always early to the event, ready to play, and my uniform is always clean and distinctly Scottish. I work hard to make sure the instrument is clear and tuned properly. I have a large repertoire of music under my belt for different types of occasions, and with enough time I can also learn or transcribe new music for something extra special.
Funerals: A bagpiper playing as guest are arriving, leaving, or at the graveside is a common sight. Bagpipers in full traditional Scottish uniform make any funeral or memorial ceremony a special one.
Weddings: Some brave lasses want to go down the aisle to the tune of a bagpiper. Bagpipers at weddings make everything lively and grand. Brides usually like to have a piper play them down the aisle, as a recessional song, as guests leave the ceremony, or as they depart for the honeymoon.
The name 'McKinnis' is derived from the ancient Hebrides clan of 'MacInnes', which means son of Angus. Despite my ancestors being from America since the middle 1700s, I claim Scottish blood from most of my family. My kilt and uniform are woven in the traditional MacInnes ancient hunting plaid. I had the pleasure of traveling to Scotland when I was 10 years old, and that is when I first became interested in learning the bagpipes. I began playing on the practice chanter for the pipes at age 11.
I competed in solo competitions in seven different states during middle and high school. I was a member of the North Carolina State University Pipe and Drum band for four years. I have been available for hire for 11 years in the Raleigh and Charlotte areas. Currently, I work full-time as an accountant and bagpiping continues to be my hobby.
In addition to being a piper, I love playing my other instruments: shuttle pipes, Irish tin whistle, clay ocarina, and my Appalachian dulcimer.
This is a very loud instrument so bear in mind that for an indoor event this instrument will become the center of attention until I have finished playing! Outdoor events are much more easy to handle and therefore the instrument will be drowned out a little more. If you are worried about noise I also play shuttle pipes that suite a more intimate indoor environment. I always arrive early and ready to perform, already tuned up.
Please note: I cannot perform outdoors between November 1 and March 1 due to the extreme temperatures in the Carolinas and the risk of damaging the pipes. This includes covered outdoor events.
Pricing Factors:
-Travel distance
-Attire ($0-$100, see options below)
-Length of performance (5 minutes is $100; 20 minutes is $200)
I do not offer discounts and I only offer pro bono demonstrations to nearby schools & events. Bagpipe and kilted uniform maintenance are extremely expensive to maintain.
Attire Options:
-Full uniform (Scottish kilt, shirt, tie, vest for colder weather/indoors) $100
-Half uniform (top with red & cream tartan sash, slacks/jeans depending on formality) $50
-Casual (jeans and a top/event t-shirt) FREE
May 21, 2021 • 12:30pm - 12:45pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
May 15, 2021 • 6:30pm - 6:45pm | Wedding Ceremony |
April 17, 2021 • 8:00pm - 8:15pm | Birthday Party |
September 05, 2020 • 3:30pm - 3:45pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
December 05, 2019 • 7:30pm - 8:15pm | House Party |
November 02, 2019 • 6:00pm - 6:15pm | Wedding Reception |
October 27, 2019 • 11:00am - 12:00pm | Religious Celebration |
October 12, 2019 • 3:00pm - 3:30pm | Festival |
October 12, 2019 • 11:00am - 12:00pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
June 08, 2019 • 4:30pm - 5:30pm | Wedding Ceremony |
June 06, 2019 • 5:00pm - 6:30pm | Cultural Event |
May 26, 2019 • 4:30pm - 7:00pm | Wedding Ceremony |
May 19, 2019 • 2:00pm - 2:45pm | Nonprofit Event |
March 16, 2019 • 2:00pm - 3:00pm | Campus Event |
February 24, 2019 • 10:30am - 12:00pm | Religious Celebration |
December 05, 2018 • 6:30pm - 7:15pm | House Party |
May 12, 2018 • 1:30pm - 2:30pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
March 15, 2018 • 11:00am - 1:00pm | Corporate Event |
November 05, 2017 • 10:30am - 12:00pm | Worship Service |
October 29, 2017 • 10:30am - 12:00pm | Worship Service |
Music: There are hundreds of tunes for the bagpipes that vary in style, tempo, and mood. Traditional music for the bagpipes include strathspeys, reels, jigs, hornpipes, marches, slow airs, and piobaireachd, the traditional lament-style of bagpipe music. Here is a list of commonly recognized piping tunes:
Amazing Grace
Scotland the Brave
Going Home
Green Hills of Tyrol
Danny Boy
MacRae Meadows
Some non-traditional tunes are requested as well:
Happy Birthday
The Wedding March
Going Home
University of North Carolina/Peace University Alma Mater
North Carolina State University Fight Song
If you are interested in having a specific song played please contact me well in advance. Not every song is compatible with the bagpipes and the range of notes is limited. I cannot do duets with other musicians or singers, as the bagpipes are too complex for this to be within scope of play.
No equipment necessary
Aaron M. said “We enjoyed him coming. Cordial, professional, authentic, and talented!”
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