Barry Shears is a native of Glace Bay, Nova Scotia. He has been playing the Highland bagpipes for over 50 years, and the Scottish small pipes for 25 years. At an early age, Barry began collecting and composing bagpipe music. He is an acknowledged expert on the history of traditional piping in Nova Scotia and its intrinsic connection to the Gaelic language, music and culture of the province.

Barry is an award-winning musician and has performed at festivals and concerts throughout North America and Europe. He has published several books of bagpipe music and history, performed and appeared in two movies, and has been featured on several recordings of traditional music.