Desert Skye Pipes & Drums

Andrew Fusco is Desert Skye's Ubermensch.  He is originally from Albany, NY and started playing pipes in 2000.  He was originally taught by Desert Skye's first pipe major, Danny Packer, then spent a few years under the tutalage of Seumas Coyne.  For the past 2 years, he has been a student of Robert Watt of Northern Ireland. He is a solo competitor in Grade 2 and has even traveled to Scotland to play in the Worlds Championship in 2004.  Andy also loves to rock the drums and is a die hard fan of Iron Maiden and the Philadelphia Eagles.  He also very much loves Twinkies because of the excellent sugar rush. 

Eric Poleski is the yin to Andy's yang.  He helps do things that Andy is too tired or lazy to do.  Eric began piping long ago, in a galaxy far far away and is now a Grade 3 soloist and an avid piobaireachder.  He is also a Battalion Chief with the Clark County Fire Department and enjoys dicking around in the garage and playing with his eyes closed (see left). 

Van Frazier was born in 1908, the son of a goat farmer.  Van worked in the fields as a young man, singing old Scottish tunes as he toiled.  One day a magician came to town, playing something called a "bagpipe" and Van was amazed at the sound, so he followed him.  He then asked the magician to teach him the ways of the pipe... and he never looked back!  By far our oldest and most revered member, Van tirelessly promotes the band to any poor passer by that will listen. 

Danny is the founder of what is now Desert Skye Pipe Band.  He likes to tell us in gory detail about his medical issues.  Danny is a grade 2 soloist when his wife lets him.  Fortunately, she seems to want to get him out of the house this year so her gain is our gain.  Danny is also a strong blower.  Bagpipers know this is a good thing in many different ways. 

Buggie used to eat bugs in high school, thus his name.  He served as band president from 2006 until the end of 2011.  At that point, he said he was "sick of my Andy's crap".  Buggie has been an up and comer for longer than I can remember.  He is a solo competitor that just knows how to win.  He moved up to Grade 3 for 2012.  When asked what he thinks is best about life, he says "To crush your enemies, see them driven before you and hear the lamentation of their women."  I don't know what that means but it sounds cool.  He also loves ugly shirts. 

Braiden is 16 years old and has been playing pipes since 2004.  He has won many prizes as a solo competitor in Grade 3.  He is fond of Rubic's Cube, Skyrim, fish tanks and going to bed early.  Shockingly, he doesn't have a girlfriend.  He can be seen here sleeping in bagpipe school. 

Paul started taking bagpipe lesson in May of 2011, from Desert Skye band member Van Frazier. He is 51 years old and a 26 year veteran Police Officer for the local Police Department. He says "You are never too old to learn, just ask Van!"

Paul took over the quartermaster duties in late 2012 after Sarah left to pursue her lifelong dream of being the best piper in North Carolina.  I'm sure he regrets volunteering by now.

Angel was raised by a Scottish father since the age of 5.  As a child, he was surrounded by pipes and drums since his father, aunt and uncle all played.  Even with that much scottish influence in his life, he didn't start playing until almost 10 years after his father passed.  Angel found Desert Skye at the Las Vegas Celtic Festival in 2009, and began lessons that year.  He is an active, sexy, contributing member, bringing a little color to the pipe corp. 

Other than playing pipes, Angel mostly likes to talk.  He will always take the long road when conveying a story.  He was allowed to join the band after the Rooney rule was adopted in 2003. 

Jim comes to us from way of switchback trail and mountain pass.  A cowboy at heart, Jim can be seen riding his horse through the desert with a six gun at his side and his 3-drones on his back. 

Jim has been in Las Vegas many years but only found us and joined the band in 2010.  He rivals Van for oldest guy in the band, however, Jim wins most attractive offspring hands down (see drummers bio for more information). 

Craig is 14 years old and has been playing pipes since 2009. He has attended the Bagpipe school in Flagstaff, AZ for 3 years.  Craig is a fine up and coming piper and a great contributor to our hectic performance schedule.  He also likes football and his favorite team is the Colts.  Craig will be staring in the Lion King this summer playing the part of Pumba. 

Resident funny man.  The Teller of 1000 Jokes.  The offensor of 1000 offenses.  Like the Honey Badger, he just doesn't give a $*#@.  You have to have thick skin to play in a band with this guy and having no sense of smell helps too.  Graham has been playing pipes for a long time and brags about playing for the Queen in his career.  I think what actually happened was he was in a parade in London and she happened to be watching it on TV and now we are forever subjected to this story. 

Pat is one of our strong up and comers even though he has been playing for 10 years.  It is finally starting to sink in for him and he has become a real asset to the band. 

 I wish I could think of something funny to say about Pat but I have yet to come up with anything.  Stay posted!

I first picked up a chanter in 2010 in Colorado Springs, Colorado.  I memorized 10 tunes within my first year, all of which I memorized in the Garden of The Gods. I played those tunes everywhere! From the Denver airport while waiting for my flight, to the shopping mall, downtown, from pub to pub, to the top of Pikes Peak, Denver, Missouri, Indiana, and Kentucky, to my current Las Vegas location. I take any advantage I get to play the bagpipes. I love to explore Celtic culture and tradition.  It was my mother who taught me to be proud of my heritage.  I am in love with family history work! Its been three years to this date since I first picked up a chanter and I now have 65 tunes in my memory bank. Pipe Major Shelly Wheelon from the Pikes Peak Highlanders taught me to play the pipes. She is nice and I miss her a lot. Andy Fusco here in Desert Skye is my current P/M and teacher he is cool too.

Mike took the plunge and started to learn to play the pipes in 2000. Since then the pipes have travelled with him on various deployments around the world. One of his favorite moments was piping the sun down while standing on top of Saddam's palace in Baghdad.  

"I never would have guessed that playing bagpipes would open the door to so many different opportunities. It has been great to join in with the Desert Skye band and I look forward to improving through their consistent coaching and encouragement."

Sarah likes whatever it is you like.  Oh and baking.  Seen here handling her other axe. 

She took over the Presidency in 2012 and is her first year serving on the Board of the band.  She has been the quartermaster since 2010.  We like to leave clothes related doodies to girls and she has done well with it. 

Sarah left the area in 2012 to chase her life long dream of being the best piper in North Carolina.  Her family is in Las Vegas and she visits often.