April 21, 2005, Pebble Beach, CA - Sponsored by both the Monterey Celtic Arts Academy and the Cultural Council for Monterey County, the Monterey Bay School of Piping Celtic Concert will be held on Thursday, June 16, 2005 from 7:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. at Stevenson School in Pebble Beach. The public is invited to enjoy special performances by world class bagpipers, including Ann Gray from Western Canada’s Celtic Band, Seanachie; Matthew Welch, formerly with the four-time world championship Simon Fraser University Pipe Band; Mark Saul of Australia’s award-winning City of Victoria Police Pipe Band; and Aaron Shaw of the Wicked Tinkers and formerly of the Los Angeles Police Pipe Band. The concert will also feature the award-winning Monterey Bay Pipe Band Pipe Major Michel d’Avenas. The concert will also include Irish dancers from The Allison Barnes Academy of Irish Dancing (based in Hollister.) Some of the students who are attending the Monterey Bay School of Piping (June 12 through June 17, 2005 at Stevenson School) will also perform during the concert. The concert’s tax deductible tickets are $15 per person in advance before June 10th, and are available at Comerica Bank in downtown Monterey or online at www.montereycelticartsacademy.org, or by calling (831) 333-9423. Tickets are $18 at the door. Tickets purchased online will be available at will call at the concert.

All ages and skill levels will be welcome to participate in the Monterey Bay School of Piping. 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.

The Monterey Bay School of Piping is coordinated by Michel d’Avenas, 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.