Collaboration

Cystic Fibrosis Australia, together with the City of Melbourne Highland Pipe Band (Australia’s largest community pipe band), is proud to bring Pipes for the People to Australia. This inspiring program began in the United States with a young student named Keshav, whose love for bagpiping has grown into a global community for young people living with cystic fibrosis.

Keshav’s journey with bagpipes began at St Thomas Episcopal School in Houston. The school has a highly respected Scottish Arts program that teaches pipes, drums and Highland dancing. Surrounded by this environment, and encouraged by his sister who is a Highland dancer, Keshav discovered his passion early. He began learning the pipes at the age of eight and later travelled to Scotland to perform at the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow.

Even after leaving St Thomas, he continued playing with the Houston Highlanders to maintain his skills. Bagpiping is not widely practiced in the United States, yet for Keshav it held a sense of culture, discipline and joy that he did not want to let go of.

It was during middle school that he realised bagpiping could be more than a musical pursuit. After taking a break from regular practice, he developed a respiratory infection. His parents encouraged him to start playing again to see if it might help. As soon as he picked up the pipes, he began coughing, clearing his lungs and breathing with more ease. That moment sparked an idea that would later become Pipes for the People.

Launched in the summer of 2024, the program offers one on one sessions tailored to each student. Keshav teaches beginners using a chanter, a small and easy to clean practice instrument that is well suited for people with cystic fibrosis. The lessons help build lung capacity and also give young people the opportunity to gain confidence and learn a new skill.

Keshav also created an online community on Discord to give young people with cystic fibrosis a safe and supportive space to connect. Members join from different countries and share stories, encouragement and plenty of CF related jokes that often make Keshav smile once he understands them.

Through his creativity and determination, Keshav has shown how a personal passion can grow into something that supports others. With the help of Cystic Fibrosis Australia and the Melbourne City Pipe Band, Pipes for the People is now reaching more young people and offering connection, confidence and better breathing through music.

Disclaimer

Cystic Fibrosis Australia (CFA) is pleased to support the promotion of Pipes for the People in partnership with the Melbourne City Pipe Band. While this program has been beneficial for some young people living with CF, participation is entirely voluntary and undertaken at the individual’s own risk.

CFA does not oversee or deliver the program directly and cannot guarantee its suitability or safety for every participant. Parents and guardians are strongly encouraged to use discretion, seek medical advice where appropriate, and ensure that any participation is safe, supervised, and appropriate for their child’s health needs.

By choosing to sign up, families accept responsibility for their own decisions and for taking reasonable precautions to protect the wellbeing of their child.