Meet Megan Kenney | Bagpiper & Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Megan Kenney and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Megan, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I’ve always been drawn to creative work that’s a little unexpected—something that turns heads. The bagpipes are hard to ignore and I’ve always been drawn to them. They’re bold, full of emotion, and slightly unhinged, which honestly feels like a good metaphor for being an artist.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Well, first off — there aren’t that many female bagpipers. Maybe one in four. I started learning as an adult, which definitely isn’t the easy route, but I’m stubborn as hell. I’ve been piping for 15 years now. The bagpipes are one of the hardest instruments to learn…with four double reeds and zero forgiveness. Every time I play, I’m sweating. You have to maintain constant pressure, manage three drones and a chanter, and somehow stay in tune — which feels like trying to hit a moving target in a wind tunnel. My favorite thing people say is, ‘It’s only nine notes—how hard can it be?’”

That’s probably why I love it. I practice six days a week, and it’s deeply rewarding. One of the greatest honors is piping at a funeral and to be the one who plays someone into the next world. It’s powerful, humbling, and unforgettable. I’ve also had the joy of playing at everything from whiskey tastings to TV shows to St. Patrick’s Day parties. The variety never stops surprising me.

I compete in solo piping competitions around the Western U.S., and spent a couple of years back and forth to Scotland competing and studying at the National Piping Centre in Glasgow. I’ve played with the City of Angels Pipe Band — one of the top-tier bands in the country.

I’m also a visual artist, and one of my proudest projects is a series of vintage piper paintings that now hang at MacLeod’s Bar in Van Nuys.

What I want people to know is this: saying yes, staying consistent, and doing something wildly specific — like bagpiping — can open doors to the most unexpected and meaningful moments. I love what I do. It’s weird, and beautiful, and unique. And I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would take them to concerts or to see shows at the Greek or the Hollywood Bowl. We have a lot of great venues for music here in LA. I think my favorite museum is the Los Angeles Police Museum. It’s quirky, fascinating and unique. I spent more time in there than the traditional museums. Love that they have the bagpipes from the police officer from The Onion Field and a recreation of Patty Hearst’s little closet. The memorabilia is off the charts of all the crime stories that have taken place in LA. Definitely have to check out Hollywood, the Santa Monica Pier. Let’s see one thing I’ve never done that I want to do is do one of those tour buses that go to all the star’s homes. I like either the really tacky, touristy stuff and the tiny out of the way places that nobody goes to. But I’m not telling you because you’ll tell everybody!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Massive shoutout to my instructor, John McLean Allan, a true Scottish legend and patron saint to adult learners. He cracked the whip and endured every crossing noise and crushed doubling without flinching too much. I owe him big time!

Website: https://ladybagpiper.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ladybagpiper/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/megan.kenney.982/

Image Credits
@pagan_god for the Angel City FC stadium shot.