Notice of Nondiscriminatory Policy as to Students

The Balmoral School of Piping & Drumming admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. They do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin in administration of their policies, educational policies, scholarships, and loan programs, and other school-administered programs.

Admissions Policy

Piping and drumming students of all ages are accepted to the Balmoral School. We do accept students under 18 years of age who are self-directed and require little supervision. Adult chaperones are assigned to students under 18. Students 12 years of age and under must be accompanied by a parent or a designated adult. All applicants must sign and abide by the honor code pledge found on the registration form.

Balmoral School Board of Directors

Mark Thomas, Chairman
Vice President, EVA Dimensions

Robert C. Galbraith, Vice Chairman
Former High Commissioner, Clan Donald USA

William R. Shipley, Treasurer
Chief Administrative Officer, McKinley Carter Wealth Services

George Balderose, Secretary
Executive Director and piping instructor, Balmoral School

William F. Askin, Esq.
Juris Doctor

Richmond Johnston
Piping instructor/on-site administrator, Balmoral School

Allan MacDougall
Owner, Schofield and MacDougall

David Murdoch
Attorney, K & L Gates

Emerson Ray
Westinghouse Project Manager (retired)

Ray Speicher
Consultant, Target Acquisition, LLC

Eric Stein
Chairman, Metro Cup
P/M Saffron Kilts PB

Balmoral School Advisory Board

Gordon Bell
Drumming instructor; Eastern US Scottish Snare Drumming Champion

Bruce Bickel
Senior Vice President, PNC Wealth Management

Susan Blackman
Former Executive Director, Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council

Mike Cusack
First American to win the Gold Medal in Scotland
Pipe Major four times of Junior World Champion Pipe Band
Headmaster, St. Thomas’ Episcopal School, Texas


Brian Donaldson
Former Pipe Major, 2nd Battalion, Scots Guards
Multi-Gold Medalist
Instructor (22 years), Army School of Bagpipe & Highland Drumming, Edinburgh, Scotland

Bagpipe maker, Inveran Bagpipes


Jonathan Phipps King
President, Equity Guidance, Inc.

James Lamb
Executive Director, Ireland Institute of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Honorary Irish Consul, Pittsburgh


Thomas Murphy
Former Mayor of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Lyric Todkill
Pipe Major of the 2006 Junior World Champion
St. Thomas’ Episcopal School, Houston, Texas

Terry Tully
Pipe Major of St. Laurence O'Toole Pipe Band, Dublin, Ireland, the 2010 Grade One World Champion Pipe Band

John Wilson
Piper, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, Gold Medalist
Pipe Sergeant of the eight-times World Champion Strathclyde Police Pipe Band
Host of “Pipeline” Internet program


Balmoral School Administration
George Balderose
Executive Director

Leslie Clark
Associate Director

Deborah Corll
Marketing and Development Director