Youth Piping & Drumming Faculty
Youth Piping & Drumming are led by an all-volunteer faculty team drawn from Siren City Pipe Band membership, and offer years of experience playing and teaching.
Chaz Stuart is the Pipe Sergeant of the 2023 3rd place Grade 3 American Championship, Siren City Pipe Band, as well as an active prize winning competitor in the Grade 2 Eastern United States Pipe Band Association solo circuit. Chaz now sits as Director of Education Programs for Siren City Pipe Band, after designing the curriculum from inception. His expertise comes from formal classical training, in which he holds a Bachelor of Music in Composition from Shenandoah University, and a Master of Music in Composition from the Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University. Chaz’s devotion to music can be found in every aspect of his life, including his career in Norfolk’s performing arts scene. Chaz sees that students are properly trained in basic music theory all the way to their first practice in the circle with Siren City Pipe Band.
Ashley West is the primary drum instructor for the Youth Education Program, and is the Drum Sergeant of Siren City Pipe Band. A passionate multi-instrumentalist and accomplished snare drummer who competes in Grade 2, she instructs the Siren City Pipe Band Grade 5 Drum Corps.
Ian Strawser is member of Siren City Pipe Band’s leadership and supports Siren City Pipe Band (Grade 5) through piping instruction. Passionate about education, he previously served as City of Norfolk Pipe Band’s Pipe Major and acts as a mentor to the program’s student leaders. Ian currently competes in the bagpiping solo circuit and as a piper in the 2023 3rd Place, Grade 3, American Pipe band Championship, Siren City Pipe Band.
Michell Stiles is the bass drummer of the 2023 3rd place Grade 3 American Pipe Band Championship, Siren City Pipe Band. Michell serves as a valuable competitor and educator of bass and tenor drumming for the entire Siren City organization. Michell seeks to grow musicians interested in mid-section drumming to boost our competitive teams’ ensembles.
Chaz Stuart,
Director of Youth Education Programs, Piping Instructor
stuart.chaz@gmail.com