Cala Wymore: Maybe I Do Have What It Takes

My husband gifted me a chanter on my 35th birthday. I have always wanted to learn how to play the pipes but never thought I could.

I started learning with the goal of playing for friends and family while enjoying a new hobby.

I love music but never had the opportunity to learn an instrument as a child. The pipes are such a magical and interesting instrument. I am on this journey because it is something I can do for me... it's a creative outlet.

The world of piping is very new to me. I don't know a single person that plays and have not found a local piper to work with. Before the Dojo, I was 'going it alone' and I found everything to be a challenge!

I have felt like I may never have the skills to learn to play well... I have arthritis in my hands, I am not a very fast learner, I can't devote the time needed, etc. But I have not had the urge to quit. Once I start something, I like to see it through.

I heard about it through social media. I became part of a piping group. Someone was requesting recommendations for online instruction and the Dojo was one of the suggestions.

I signed up immediately after hearing about it and looking at the website. I had been looking for an instructor and the Dojo fit into my lifestyle.

I find the Dojo community to be very welcoming and helpful. I enjoy the different live classes and course options. I also enjoy how I can go at my own pace.

When I was starting out, I was trying to learn tunes without knowing the fundamentals of the music or the instrument. The Dojo is definitely giving me an education.

Since I only own a set of practice pipes and haven't transitioned to the big pipes, I can only comment on how the Dojo had helped me be more comfortable with sheet music. I now can look at a piece of music and decipher it, rather than being confused and overwhelmed.

The Dojo has given me a community that I can lean on while on this piping journey. Meeting people from around the world has been amazing and so interesting.

Before the Dojo, I was feeling very alone and confused with so many unanswered questions! I can not tell you how nice it is to have answers to my questions, videos to help navigate this process, and teachers to give me real feedback.

I am feeling much more confident in myself, like "maybe I do have what it takes!" Thank you.

Cala Wymore, Minnesota, USA