As we celebrate the arts during MacDowell Month, we are delighted to share about Kelly Boyles (Epsilon, University of Southern California) and her journey to learn the bagpipes! In honor of our seven Founders, we asked Kelly seven questions about the instrument, her aspirations and her lifelong connection to Alpha Chi Omega.
What is your professional role and what does your work entail?
I am the communications director for CAL FIRE Local 2881, the union representing CAL FIRE firefighters. I handle our social media, membership communications and press relations for the union. It's a great mix of being fun, challenging and rewarding!
Why did you decide to start learning the bagpipes?
I started learning the bagpipes about three years ago, although I did take about an eight-month break two years ago. I was four months into my job and at a firefighter memorial in Colorado, and my mom called to tell me my uncle passed away about 20 minutes before the ceremony. I felt a little out of place but was so moved by the honor guard and the bagpipes that I decided to learn.
What has been the most surprising part of learning to play?
You start learning on a chanter (think like a recorder-type instrument) and then move to the actual bagpipes. I know six tunes on my chanter, so now I'm onto the bagpipes, and I'd say the most challenging aspect for me is the mechanics of keeping the bag inflated while taking a breath and playing notes. It's been a doozy! I might be learning at a slower pace than some, but it is very fun to see progress and know that I am getting closer to playing.
Tell us about your authentic bagpipes!
I have a set of McCallum pipes from Scotland! I let my teacher guide me through the process and trusted her judgment on what to order. They're gorgeous, and I'm praying that at least one of my hypothetical future children plays so I can pass them down and they become a family heirloom.
What are your aspirations with playing the bagpipes?
The main reason for learning the bagpipes is that I would eventually be able to play with our Honor Guard, honoring our men and women at academy graduations and supporting families of our fallen at funerals and memorials. It's really moving to see our Honor Guard in action, and I feel very lucky that I get to work for such amazing humans and have the opportunity to hopefully join them one day.
How have you stayed connected or reconnected with Alpha Chi Omega as an alumna?
Part of my job involves working with firefighters who volunteer their time to be active members of their union, helping make it stronger and better. I was moved by that, so last year I started donating to the Alpha Chi Omega Foundation and volunteering as the chapter advisor for Epsilon Theta (California State University, Sacramento). It's been a lot of fun! We have great executive and advisory boards. Alpha Chi Omega was the best part of my college experience, so it's been fun to step back into that world as an advisor.
What does Alpha Chi Omega’s tagline “Real. Strong. Women.” mean to you?
I've recently seen on Instagram this notion of “if you want a village, you need to be a villager,” and that really struck me and made me think of Alpha Chi. Some of my closest friends were made in the sorority house, and 15 or so years later, we've seen each other through businesses, marriages, babies, breakups, deaths of loved ones, moves, etc. To me, Real. Strong. Women. means being the villager and showing up when it's inconvenient or sending the text or having the hard conversation or knowing exactly who to call when you need to either cry or laugh. Sorority life is such a bubble when you're in it during college, but the lessons I learned and the lifelong friendships I've made have been invaluable. I feel so grateful!