Michael Faughnan  started playing pipes when he was 8 years with his brother Jimmy. This was under the very strict instruction of Stewart Robertson from Edinburgh Scotland. Stewart was the cousin of JB Robertson from the Scots Guards guards and a judge in Scotland, S Africa and the EUSPBA during the 60's & 70's. This started a career of Solo competition that had both brothers in the prize list before they were ten years old and carried the journey through to the open professional class. Stewart was a conduit to the great pipers that frequently visited and corresponded with him. We met, studied with or played for the likes of Big Angus McDonald, Wee Donald McLeod and John MacFadyen to mention a few. Most of the early years were spent with Stewart’s instructional pipe band "The Glengarry Pipe Band" which was sponsored by the VFW in Sayville. A band that also had Michael’s brother Tommy, a current piper in the SKPB playing drums. Michael served as Pipe Major for 3 years. After the band broke up Michael continued his Solo competition and worked with Ray Ledger for a few years. Michael and his brothers  spent many of their early summers at "Thousand Island School of Performing Arts" in Brockville Ontario where many of the worlds great talents spent their summers working with pipers & drummers.   He joined the Saffron Kilts in 1976 and help to take them from the parade circuit to a program that fields competitive grade 2, 4 and 5 pipe bands . The band has traveled to play in the White House for a Presidential Audience, played at the World Championships in Glasgow Scotland, played at The All Ireland Championships and have been regulars at the North American Championship's in Canada.  Michael attended Iona College in New Rochelle on a full Piping scholarship that also had him act as the Pipe Major of the Iona College Pipe Band for 4 years. He is married to Bridget who is from Donegal, Ireland and they have three children. Alanna, Michael Og & Charlie. They currently reside in Mt. Sinai. At the March 2002 St. Patrick's Day Ball in Babylon Michael was finally left speechless as he was presented the Honor of  "Hibernian of the Year 2002". As dignitaries  and politicians all got up to present Michael with plaques and proclamations he was silenced for a while.