February 25, 2005, The Monterey Celtic Arts Academy is launching the Monterey Bay School of Piping which will be held from Sunday, June 12 through Friday, June 17, 2005 at Stevenson School in Pebble Beach. The Board is currently doing fund-raising to help offset the costs of establishing the school.

Coordinated by Michel dAvenas, a 30-year bagpipe instructor and the Pipe Major of the award-winning Monterey Bay Pipe Band, and the Board of Directors of the Monterey Celtic Arts Academy (a 501(c)3), the new Monterey Bay School of Piping will feature outstanding internationally renowned piping instructors from Scotland, Australia, Canada, and the United States. Featured instructors will include Murray Blair (Scotland  Victoria Police Pipe Band), Ann Gray (Canada  Western Canadas Celtic Band  Seanachie), Adam Quinn (United States  formerly of the world championship Simon Fraser University Pipe Band), Mark Saul (Australia  Victoria Police Pipe Band), Matthew Welch (United States  world championship Simon Fraser University Pipe Band), Aaron Shaw (United States  Wicked Tinkers/Los Angeles Police Pipe Band), and more. All ages and skill levels will be welcome to participate in the school.

        Attendees will be able to enjoy cost-effective room and board rates at Stevenson School or take classes at the school daily and stay at hotels throughout the region. Local day students will also be welcome, and a limited number of scholarships will be available.  Donations and sponsors are being sought to underwrite some of the initial costs of the school and scholarships.

        For more information, call Michel dAvenas at 831-333-9423 or 831-372-2020 or email bagpipe11@comcast.net. To make a donation, please send a check to Beth Fergon, MCAA, 35 Bonifacio Plaza, Monterey, CA 93940. There is also additional information on the website: www.montereycelticartsacademy.org.