Winter Storm Performers, Adjudicators, and Faculty
Workshop - Major Sponsor |
Concert - Major Sponsors |
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Mike Cusack - Piping Mike Cusack began studying the pipes at the age of ten at St. Thomas' Episcopal School in Houston, TX. Upon graduating from university he returned to St. Thomas' and has been Band Director for twenty years. Under his direction the school pipe band won the Juvenile World Pipe Band Championships in Scotland in 1985, 1995, and 1998. He has won the Highland Society of London's Gold Medals at the Argyllshire Gathering at Oban and the Northern Meetings at Inverness. Other honors include winning the Senior Piobaireachd at Oban (three times), the Clasp at Inverness, the Bratach Gorm and the Macallan Trophy at Lorient.
Mike has conducted workshops and recitals throughout the United States, Canada, Australia and Europe. He produced two St. Thomas’ Episcopal School Pipe Band recordings, Dedication (1998) and Impressions (2002), both of which were named pipe band recording of the year by Piper and Drummer Magazine. Mike also released a solo recording for the Pipers of Distinction Series on the Monarch recording label.
In 2005 Mike retired from competitive piping when he became headmaster at St. Thomas’. |
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Pipe Major Brian Donaldson - Piping Brian, from Cardenden in Fife, was taught to play the pipes by his father, Pipe Major Andrew Donaldson, himself a renowned piper and teacher. After leaving school, Brian served his apprenticeship as a bagpipe maker at “Inveran House” under the guidance of Jimmy Tweedie. As a young age Brian was playing with the world famous Dysart & Dundonald pipe band, winning all the major championships in Grade1. In 1978, Brian enlisted in the Scots Guards and served with the regiment all over the world. He passed his Pipe Majors course at the Army School of Piping, Edinburgh Castle in 1982. After serving in the Falklands War, he was posted to the Army School of Piping as an instructor for 3 years.
On his return to the 2nd Battalion, he was promoted to Pipe Sergeant and, shortly after the amalgamation of both Battalions, Brian was promoted to the rank of Pipe Major in 1995. Brian’s tuition skills and playing ability were in demand, and in 1998 he became Pipe Major of the Army Training regiment Glencorse. Eventually the Military centralized all army piping and drumming, and Brian served out his 22 years at the Army School of Bagpipe & Highland Drumming in Edinburgh.
Throughout Brian’s military career, he following the footsteps of Pipe Major Willie Ross and Pipe Major Angus MacDonald, and is one of the most renowned pipers in the British Army. Brian has achieved an amazing list of prizes including but not limited to: Gold Medal, Oban; Gold Medal and two Clasps, Skye; Bratach Gorm, London; 2nd Gold Medal (twice), Northern Meetings; MSR (twice), Argyllshire Gathering; MSR (three times) Northern Meeting; a “Double”- winning the MSR at Oban and Inverness in the same year; MSR, London; MSR, Grants- along with the numerous invitations to Grants.
Brian has now gone full circle, back to his trade as a bagpipe craftsman, taking the name of Inveran Bagpipe Makers into the 21st Century. Brian continues to compete at a high level, very much in tune with the ‘Stradivarius’ Great Highland Bagpipe instrument that he produces at the Inveran Workshop.
Brian recently was appointed as Piping Instructor, St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy, Delafield, Wisconsin.
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John Fisher - Snare DrummingJohn Fisher is one of the most versatile players and educators of our lifetime. His career has spanned over 3 decades dividing his passion between drum set and pipe band genres.
He is a former North American Champion and was the lead drummer of the City of Victoria Pipe Band, member of the Shotts & Dykehead Drum Corps under the direction of the legendary Alex Duthart, and former lead drummer of the 78th Fraser Highlanders of Ontario Pipe Band.
Currently, John is the lead drummer of the Spirit of Scotland Pipe Band. In 2008, the Spirit of Scotland Pipe Band, comprised of world-class players, was the subject of an award-winning documentary by John MacDonald.
John’s other ‘passion’ is drum set. He is both a master player and educator. He was a former faculty member at the Musicians Institute in Los Angeles where he also performed as a studio session drummer. His reputation as a drum set player has brought many famous drummers to his doorstep including Grammy, Billboard Magazine, American Music, MTV music award winners as well as Modern Drummer Magazine poll winners. |
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Matt Kline - PipingMatt began piping with the William Jewell College Caledonian Pipe Band, ultimately serving as Pipe Sergeant at the age of fifteen. From there he joined the Kansas City St. Andrew's Pipes and Drums, helping them win numerous competitions, including placing second overall in piping in Grade 3 at the 2001 World Pipe Band Championships. Matt competed with the band during their formidable years in Grade Two and served as registered instructor and Pipe Major of the first ever Grade Five Band of the organization.
Matt is currently a member of the City of Chicago Pipe Band, instructs several bands in the Midwest and is a prize winning Open Bagpiper. He is an active and sought after instructor in the Midwestern United States. In addition to his piping accomplishments, he earned his Bachelor of Divinity from Raphael University in 2008.
He has been an assistant instructor at Winter Storm since its inception and was also an original founding Director of the Winter Storm Workshop. Matt currently serves on the Advisory Board for the Midwest Pipe Band Association and President of the Missouri Valley Competitive Piping and Drumming Society. His instructors have included Andrew Wright, Lindsay Kirkwood, Jake Watson, Jim Higgins, Ken Eller and Donald McBride. |
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Jack Lee - Piping For over 30 years, Jack Lee has been regarded as one of the world’s leading pipers. His accomplishments as a solo piper, pipe band leader and teacher cause him to be in great demand as a performer and teacher throughout the world.
As a Solo Piper, Jack has won all the top awards available… The Gold Medal (Inverness and Oban, Scotland) The Gold Clasp (twice) (Inverness, Scotland) The Glenfiddich Overall Championship (Blair Atholl, Scotland) The Glenfiddich Piobaireachd contest (three times) (Blair Atholl, Scotland) The Senior Piobaireachd – (Oban, Scotland) The Silver Star for former winners MSR (four times) (Inverness, Scotland) The Bratach Gorm (twice) (London, England) The Gillies Cup (London, England)
17-times winner of the B.C. Pipers’ Association Annual Gathering
Jack has released a solo CD as part of Lismor’s World’s Greatest Piper Series In 2001, Jack was voted “Competitive Piper of the Year” by Piper and Drummer Magazine In the Pipe Band world…
Jack is the Pipe Sergeant and co-founder of the Simon Fraser University Pipe Band. In 2009, the band won its 6th World Championship. The band has been an extremely consistent prizewinner at the World Championships during the past 20 years, having won either 1st or 2nd on fifteen occasions. The band has recorded 11 CDs and 2 videos, including CDs at New York’s Carnegie Hall and the magnificent Sydney Opera House. Their youth band (Robert Malcolm Memorial) has won the World Juvenile Championships on four occasions.
As a Teacher… Jack’s dedicates many hours per week to private instruction at home and online around the world via Skype. Several of Jack’s students have gone on to win major solo prizes in Scotland. Jack teaches at many workshops and piping schools throughout North America and beyond each year.
On a personal level… Jack, and his brother Terry, were both awarded the Meritorious Service Medal by the Governor General of Canada in 1999 for outstanding service to the country. Jack and his sons (Andrew, Colin and John) operate their family business making pipe chanter reeds for bands and soloists. In addition, Jack has made over 1,400 tunes from his own recording archives available on their website - leeandsonsbagpipes.com. |
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Terry Lee - PipingPipe Major Terry Lee is one of the most prominent and successful pipe band leaders in the world. Under his direction, the SFU Pipe Band captured the World Pipe Band Championship of 1995, 1996, 1999, 2001, 2008 and 2009, and is one of only two bands in history to win both the Medley and MSR events at the World Championships more than once (MSR five times, Medley five times). Terry is also one of only seven Pipe Majors to win the World Championship more than twice.
His ability to produce superb band performances in both the contemporary and traditional style, and to significantly enhance the musicality and technique of his players is respected worldwide. Terry serves as General Manager of the well-known Scottish supplies store, Tartantown. On September 10, 1999 P/M Terry Lee and P/S Jack Lee were each presented with Canada's Meritorious Service Medal by Governor General Romeo LeBlanc in Quebec City, Quebec. |
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Colin MacLellan, PipingColin MacLellan was born in Dingwall, Ross - shire in 1958, the family moving to Edinburgh shortly afterwards in order for his father to take up the position of Chief Instructor at the Army School of Piping in Edinburgh Castle.
He learned the pipes from an early age from John D Crichton at George Heriot's School, who was his principal teacher until around 1973 when the influence of father John A. MacLellan became predominant. In between these teachers, Colin had short spells of teaching from Hugh CR MacRae, at consecutive summer schools in his native Dingwall from Pipe Major Ronald MacCallum, and from Duncan Johnstone in Glasgow.
Starting his competitive career in Scotland, Colin started playing in Open competitions in 1976. He moved to Canada in 1977 at eighteen years of age and spent the next 22 years in the province of Ontario. His services as a teacher particularly at summer schools were quickly in demand for during his years in Canada he taught at seventeen different schools. In Canada he was a successful reedmaker, putting to use the skills which he had learned as a youngster in Edinburgh. In 1986 he moved to Glengarry County Ontario, where he was appointed Piping Teacher for the Stormont Dundas and Glengarry County School Board as well as the Pipe Major of the Glengarry Pipe Band. Teaching at three different high schools, and also asthe Director of the Glengarry School of Piping and Drumming, he soon was able to move the Glengarry band through the grades, from Grade 4 all the way to its eventual promotion as a Grade One band. Along the way the band won Canadian, US, and North American titles in Grades 4, 3 and 2.
In the early 1990's Colin studied Political Science at Carleton University in Ottawa, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree, and later at Brock University in St Catherines, Ontario achieving a Bachelor of Education degree. He holds Teaching and Graduate Certificates from the Institute of Piping as well as a Province of Ontario Teaching Certificate.
In 1992 Colin was the recipient of the First prize in the international composing competition for Piobaireachd, held by Clan Donald Canada. His tune was entitled "The Salute to Sir John A Macdonald" and he played it for the Prime Minister of Canada the Right Hon Mr Brian Mulroney PC QC at a ceremony marking the 100th anniversary of John A. Macdonald's death in Kingston, Ontario. In 1992 Colin also recorded volume 11 in Lismor's "World's Greatest Pipers" series. In 1999 Colin and his wife Jenny Hazzard moved to Scotland, with Colin taking up a position as Head of Piping Studies, being responsible for educational initiatives at the National Piping Centre as well being instrumental in the creation of the BA Scottish Music - Piping degree which is jointly offered by the Centre and the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama.
During this period he served as an external examiner for RSAMD. During 1999 Colin was appointed the Pipe Major of the Lothian and Borders Police Pipe Band which during the previous season had lost its Grade One status for the first time in the Band's storied history. To Colin fell the task of rebuilding, and within one season the band had secured the Champion of Champions title in the lesser grade and once more took its place in the top flight.
Colin was appointed the President of Scotland's Competing Pipers Association in 2000, and during his tenure CPA became an active and influential force. A circuit of six Piobaireachd competitions were established at Scottish highland games, and the Duncan Johnstone Memorial competition was founded, an event run in tandem with the National Piping Centre which has become the pre-eminent competition was Scotland's aspiring professionals. CPA during this time under Colin's leadership initiated reform of the Joint Committee for judging with a new structure and reassessment of procedure being established which lead to the return of Senior Adjudicators who had not judged for some years.
In 2001 Colin took up a position as Piping Teacher at The Edinburgh Academy, a post which he resigned in December 2007. Colin MacLellan at present sits as Chairman of CPA's Grading Committee as well as returning to international teaching and judging commitments, examining for the Scottish Qualifications Authority, and reedmaking. He was appointed a Senior Judge of Scotland's Joint Committee for Judging upon his retirement from competition in 2007. He is currently a member of the Spirit of Scotland Pipe Band and at present Colin is recording and publishing a book and CD of his father's complete Piobaireachd compositions. A Canadian Citizen as well as a UK national, Colin lives and works in Edinburgh with his wife Jenny Hazzard. He has a daughter, Emily Kate, who plays in the Grade One Toronto Police Pipe Band, and a son Iain, who plays with the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa.
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Roddy MacLeod, MBE - PipingRoddy MacLeod, MBE, is one of the most distinguished and widely accomplished pipers of his generation, and one of Highland piping's most profoundly influential identities.
A student of the late Duncan Johnstone, he played with the Red Hackle and British Caledonian Airways Pipe Bands, the last of which became theScottishPower Pipe Band. In 1995, Roddy MacLeod became its Pipe Major and, over the next decade, led it to over 45 Grade 1 Championship prizes including the Cowal Championships and All Ireland Championships. In 2008, Roddy was involved in the formation of the Spirit of Scotland Pipe Band which brought together a group of elite solo pipers and drummers for one week. The band with Roddy as its Pipe Major played in Grade 1 at the World Pipe Band Championship and qualified for the final. A movie called "On the Day" was made documenting the band's preparations and performances.
As a soloist, Roddy won his first Gold Medal at the Northern Meeting in 1986, then the Argyllshire Gathering Gold Medal in 1988. Alongside innumerable successes as a light music competitor, Roddy MacLeod flourished as a player and interpreter of piobaireachd.
He most recently won the 2011 Glenfiddich Piping Championship. Including the 2011 win, he has won the Glenfiddich Piping Championship four times and the piobaireachd event a record eight times, the Bratach Gorm five times, the Silver Chanter six times, the Northern Meeting Clasp on two occasions, Bi-centenary medal (1988) and Former Winners MSR, the Senior Piobaireachd at the Argyllshire Gathering twice and the Former Winner MSR twice and the Gillies Cup Open Piobaireachd in London nine times. He continues to be a dynamic and exceptionally successful competitor.
Deeply loyal to piping's traditions, Roddy MacLeod also has been potently engaged with innovation and development. As Principal of TheNational Piping Centre, established in Glasgow in 1996, he has been a prominent driving force behind such highly significant initiatives as the institution of theBA (Scottish Music - Piping), degree programme, the establishment of theNational Youth Pipe Band of Scotland and the inauguration of thePiping Live!, Glasgow International Piping Festival of which he is a Director. He has so far been responsible for the production and editing of two influential teaching books, the National Piping Centre's Highland Bagpipe Tutor Book and its Transition to Bagpipes book.
In 2003, he was made a Member of the British Empire in recognition of his services to piping and, in 2004, was awarded the Glenfiddich Spirit of Scotland Award for Music.
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Donald McBride - Piping (Adjudication)Donald McBridewas taught originally by his father Willie McBride. From 1972 until he emigrated to the United States in 1984, Donald went to Donald MacPherson for piobaireachd instruction. In the 1970s, he also played in the Muirhead & Sons pipe band under P/M Robert G. Hardie. When he returned to Scotland in 1996 until he moved to County Donegal in 2004, Donald took piobaireachd lessons from Andrew Wright. He has been placed 2nd twice and 3rd twice in the Gold Medals at the Northern Meeting and Argyllshire Gathering. He won the A Grade March at the Northern Meeting in 1982 and has been 2nd and 3rd in the Strathspey & Reel events at Oban and Inverness more times than he cares to remember.
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Willie McCallum - PipingWillie is a native of Campbeltown, Kintyre, where he learned piping from his uncles Ronald and Hugh, who has won every prize in piping, including both Gold Medals, four Clasps, and six Silver Chanters and the Glenfiddich Championship. Willie also came under the guidance of P/M Ronald McCallum MBE, his father’s cousin.
He has won almost every prize available including both Gold Medals, Former Winners MSR at Oban five times and Inverness four times, the Senior Piobaireachd at Oban three times, Silver Chanter three times, Bratach Gorm four times and the Glenfiddich Championship eight times. Last year he qualified for the Glenfiddich for the 25thtime in succession.
In the last year, Willie has won the Bratach Gorm and Overall at London, the Piping Live Masters and the Former Winners March, Strathspey and Reel at the Northern Meeting. In that time he was also the overall winner of the P/M Donald MacLeod Memorial in Stornoway and the Springbank Invitational, both for the eighth time.
Willie lives in Bearsden with his wife Christine and children Hailey and Scott.He runs his own piping business, Willie McCallum Piping, which has a broad range of activities including performing, teaching, as well as selling bagpipes and acting as a consultant to McCallum Bagpipes Ltd, in Kilmarnock.
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Angus McColl - Piping Angus McColl is ranked among the world’s greatest pipers who has distinguished himself by winning the Gold Medal at Inverness (1992), the Clasp (1993) and the Gold Medal at Oban (1996).
He was also winner of the Glenfiddich Invitational (1995), winner of the GS MacLennan, San Diego 1997 and, in addition to being placed first in the senior ceòl beag at both meetings, he finished 2nd overall at the 1997 Glenfiddich Invitational. He won the Clasp at Inverness in 1998 and won of the Donald MacLeod Competition in 1999.
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Duncan Millar - Snare DrummingSnare drummer with Simon Fraser University Pipe Band - joined 1997 and won four World's (99, 01, 08, 09) and four Best Drum Corps titles (99, 04, 08, 09). The winner of many solo drumming prizes, Duncan appeared in the final round at the World Solo Drumming Championships numerous times.
As a principal with the multi-national immigration law firm Duncan Millar U.S. Immigration Attorneys, PLLC, Duncan specializes incomplex waiver, border, corporate and investorcases. Duncan plays many different types of percussion instruments and appears on numerous albums including six SFU releases. Duncan cycles, kayaks, hikes and angles while raising two girls with his wife, Danielle. |
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Fred Morrison - PipingA double Gold Medal-winning Highland Piper, Fred Morrison was born and raised in Bishopton, near Glasgow. Over, the years his mastery expanded to encompass whistles, Scottish smallpipes and Reelpipes – Morrison being a pivotal populariser of this once-rare variety.
A former member of both the landmark Scottish supergroup Clan Alba and contemporary Celtic stars Capercaillie, Fred featured with the latter in the Hollywood movie Rob Roy His latest album project, Outlands, featuring such top Americana luminaries as producer Gary Paczosa (Dolly Parton, Dixie Chicks, Nickel Creek), banjo/guitar ace Ron Block (Alison Krauss & Union Station) and Grammy-winning multi-instrumentalist Tim O’Brien, sets out to explore the inherent connections Morrison perceives between their traditions and his.
Fred is an experienced, energetic and generous teacher to students of all playing abilities. He combines 30 years’ performance experience with an ability to create a comfortable learning atmosphere which puts every student at ease. |
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Michael O'Neil- Tenor Drumming Michael began playing the drums in 1994 and soon after received Tenor Drum instruction from Liza and David McAdam, and Norman "Haggis" McLeod. He joined the Prince Charles Pipe Band of San Francisco in 1996.
In 2000, He won the World Pipe Band Championships in grade 2 with the Prince Charles band and obtained the best bass section prize as well. After taking the 2005 season off from pipe bands, he joined the RMM II pipe band of Vancouver and went on to win the 2006 World Pipe Band Championships in grade 2. In the fall of 2006 he joined the Simon Fraser University Pipe Band and in 2008/9 won the World Pipe Band Championships in grade 1 as well as the best drum corp prize. In the fall of 2008 the SFU bass section was awarded the Hosbilt Cup by the Pipes/Drums readers choice on-line pole. On the solo circuit Mike has been the WUSPBA solo champion on many occasions and he has also won the gold medal tenor event at Winterstorm in Kansas City on two occasions. He currently resides in Carmel, CA.
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Jason Paguio - Drum MajorJason Paguio was the 2004 Juvenile World Champion Drum Major and in 2007 became the first Drum Major outside the United Kingdom to win the Adult World Championships and repeated his win at the World Championships in 2010. Jason has been Drum Major for the Glenfiddich Spirit of Scotland Pipe Band and is currently Drum Major for the Simon Fraser University Pipe Band.
Jason is also a founder and managing partner of Regimental Mace Company, LLC, and founder of the non-profit groups World Drum Major Association, Inc. and Parade Band Foundation, Inc.
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Doug Stronach - Snare DrummingDoug Stronach is one of North America's top pipe band players and educators. He is a World Junior Solo Snare Drum Champion and winner of the Scottish, British and European Pipe Band Championships. He has been the leading drummer of both the Toronto Police and Peel Regional Police Pipe Bands and winner of two Grade 1 North American Drum Corps Awards. He is the author of five books on pipe band drumming and has played and taught many clinics and events throughout the world including Canada, USA, South Africa, Chile, France, Germany, Sicily, and the UK. He is also an accredited judge and frequently judges contests throughout North America. He currently plays with the Simon Fraser University Pipe Band from Vancouver, British Columbia.
Doug is the Director Winter Storm 2013 -The Pipes and Drums Concert |
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André Tessier - Drumming André Tessier started drumming at the age of 10 in his hometown of Montreal, Quebec. After showing promise early on, André's father - also his first teacher - sent him to Toronto to learn from J. Reid Maxwell. André won the Ontario Pipers and Pipe Band Society Champion Supreme award for Grade 2 Drumming in 1987 and for Grade 1 Drumming in 1989, before moving into the professional class.
In 1996, André ventured west to Vancouver spending the next 10 seasons with the SFU Pipe Band. During that span, he helped the band win the World Pipe Band Championships in 1996, 1999 and 2001. Andre also won ‘The Sash’ (World Drum Corps Champions) in 1999, the Australian Championships in 2001 and the North American Championships in 2002.
André has also had the privilege of performing in some of the world’s greatest concert venues, including New York’s Carnegie Hall and the Sydney Opera House.
As an instructor, André’s most notable achievement was guiding the Robert Malcolm Memorial Grade 3 Drum Corps to the World Championships title in the Juvenile category in 2005.
In 2006, Andre took on the role of Lead Drummer of the Robert Malcolm Memorial Pipe. In his first season as Lead Drummer, RMM won the World Pipe Band Championships for Grade 2.
André currently serves as the Lead Drummer of the Grade 1 Dowco Triumph Street Pipe Band. He is certified by the British Columbia Pipers Association as an A-Level Drumming and Ensemble adjudicator, and serves on the Adjudication and Solo Grading Committees for the BCPA.
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Photo Courtesy of Weatherley |
Bob Worrall - Piping Bob Worrall is one of North America’s leading teachers, adjudicators and performers. Bob is a respected composer, having published two collections of bagpipe music. He is featured on three solo piping recordings and is a member of the folk group “Scantily Plaid”.
After a piping career with a number of Ontario’s leading pipe bands, including the City of Toronto Pipe Band and the General Motors Pipe Band, Bob retired from competitive piping in 1983. His solo accomplishments were extensive, both in North America and Scotland. He won the North American Professional Championship an unprecedented 7 times and the Ontario Professional Championship Supreme title for 12 of his 13 years in the professional class. He was also the 1977 winner of the March and Strathspey/Reel events in Inverness. He was a pupil of Bill Millar, Willie Connell and the late John Wilson.
A member of North American and the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association’s judging panels, Bob has been selected to judge the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow on eleven occasions. For the last seven years he has been the colour commentator for the BBC’s broadcast of the World Pipe Band Championships. He is a member of the Piobaireachd Society’s Senior Judges list and has adjudicated major competitions throughout the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Australia, Brittany and South Africa. Bob's recent overseas piping ventures have included teaching and performing engagements in Zimbabwe and Italy.
Bob was the senior instructor at the Gaelic College in Cape Breton for 15 years. More recent piping camps have included Kingston (Ontario), the Ohio Scottish Arts School, Lake Diefenbaker (Saskatchewan), Washington State and Oregon, Vancouver Island, Uruguay, Australia and South Africa. Weekend workshops and recitals provide him with a schedule that has taken him to virtually all of the Canadian provinces and 36 U.S. States. |
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