Anyone on here go to Irish Week for uilleann pipes last year at Augusta (Davis and Elkins College, West Virginia)? I have not been there in many years and was wondering how it is these days, to help me decide to go or not.
Hi,
I went the past two summers and both were very well conducted by Ivan Goff. Two summers ago, there were three of us, all at the same level and, consequently, there was one group in the class. Last summer, there was five students: two advanced, one intermediate, and two beginning-intermediate (I was in the last group). Ivan split the class into three and I still came away with as much (if not more) that I did the previous summer (a tune a day). Ivan is a wonderful person and an excellent instructor.
Now, all this may seem moot, since Jerry O’Sullivan is teaching next summer instead of Ivan. I’ve never had him as a teacher, but have I’ve heard nothing but great things about him (I had the pleasure of meeting him once at the Catskills Irish Week and he really seemed to be a very nice person).
Sincerely,
Dan Humphries
P.S. I should add that the folks there run everything first-rate. I believe that last summer was Mick Maloney’s last year as director, though. Both times I felt that the accomodations, food, concerts, etc. were well worth the money.
Jerry O’Sullivan is the nicest guy in the world. If you see him, tell him “Boogerberries” for me… he’ll know what I mean. 
In addition to being a really nice guy, Jerry is also an excellent teacher.
No E.
… well, there is that too.