Highland Pipes Instructors
George Balderose
Jimmy Bell
Brian Donaldson
Richmond Johnston
James MacColl
Mahrla Manning
Donald McBride
Willie McCallum

George Balderose
George Balderose has been studying with some of the world’s top Highland piping instructors for more than three decades. During much of this time, he has been developing methods of teaching piping to adult beginners, and several of his adult Highland piping students have won firsts at EUSPBA-sanctioned piping competitions. George has also been playing and teaching the bellows smallpipes for more than fifteen years. He has performed on the Highland pipes with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, as a soloist for the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, and with championship Scottish and Irish dancers at concerts and festivals throughout the eastern US. His competitive successes include winning the MacCrimmon Quaich for Grade 1 Piobaireachd four times. George is also a member of the Scottish and Irish performance ensemble Road to the Isles, which is on the Pennsylvania Performing Arts on Tour/Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation roster.

George will be at the following sessions:
June 9-14, 2013, St. John's Northwestern Military Academy, Delafield, Wisconsin
July 7-12, 2013, St. John's Military School, Salina, Kansas
July 14-19, 2013, Shady Side Academy, Fox Chapel, Pennsylvania
July 28-August 2, 2013, Week 2, East Stroudsburg University, East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania 


Jimmy Bell
Jimmy Bell is the Director of the Scottish Heritage Program at Lyon College and Pipe Major of the Lyon College Pipe Band. He also served as Pipe Major of the award winning Grade 1 - Parlin & District Pipe Band, and has won countless individual awards and titles as one of North America's top solo pipers. Starting out first as a Highland Dancer at an early age, Jim was given his first piping instruction by his mother, and then by his father, George Bell. Jim played in the legendary Kenmuir Pipe Band, and has experienced almost everything piping has to offer. He is a judge in the EUSPBA and has served on the Music Board as well. He is also a highly skilled composer of pipe music.

Jimmy will be at the following sessions:
July 14-19, 2013, Shady Side Academy, Fox Chapel,
Pennsylvania
July 21-26, 2013, Week 1, East Stroudsburg University, East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania 
July 28-August 2, 2013, Week 2, East Stroudsburg University, East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania 

Brian Donaldson
Pipe Major Brian Donaldson, from Cardenden, Fife, was taught to play the pipes by his father, Pipe Major Andrew Donaldson, 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.

At a young age, Brian was playing with the world famous Dysart & Dundonald pipe band, winning all the major championships in Grade 1. 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 three years. On his return to the 2nd Battalion, he was promoted to Pipe Sergeant and shortly after the amalgamation of both battalions in 1993, Brian was promoted to the rank of Pipe Major in 1995.

His tuition skills and playing ability were in demand, and in 1998 he became Pipe Major at the Army training regiment Glencorse. Eventually, the military centralized all Army piping and drumming, and Brian served 22 years at the Army School of Bagpipe & Highland Drumming in Edinburgh.

Throughout Brian’s military career, he has become one of the most renowned pipers in the British army, following in the footsteps of Pipe Major Willie Ross and Pipe Major Angus MacDonald. He has achieved an endless list of prizes, including the Gold Medal, Oban; the Gold medal and two Clasps at the Skye Invitational; the Bratach Gorm, London; second in the Gold medal at the Northern Meetings, three times; the Donald MacDonald, Quaich; the MSR Argyllshire Gathering, three times; MSR Northern Meetings, achieving a double in 1984; winning both MSR competitions at Oban and Inverness in the same year, the MSR London and MSR Grants competition; and numerous invitations to the famous Grants whisky invitational competition.

After a successful military career, 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. He continues to compete at a high level, very much in tune with the ‘Stradivarius’ Great Highland Bagpipe instrument he is playing and produces at the Inveran workshop.

Brian will be at the following sessions:
June 9-14, 2013, St. John's Northwestern Military Academy, Delafield, Wisconsin
June 16-21, 2013, Macalester College, Saint Paul, Minnesota
June 23-28, 2013, Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, California
July 7-12, 2013, St. John's Military School, Salina, Kansas
July 14-19, 2013, Shady Side Academy, Fox Chapel, Pennsylvania
July 21-26, 2013, Week 1, East Stroudsburg University, East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania 
July 28-August 2, 2013, Week 2, East Stroudsburg University, East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania 

Richmond_Vassar'09
Richmond Johnston became a Balmoral School administrator shortly after his first attendance at the school in 1991. Serving that post, he’s had the opportunity to study with Mike Cusack, Alasdair Gillies, Norman Gillies, Jack Lee, James MacColl, John MacDoughall, Iian MacLellan, Jimmy McIntosh, Adrian Melvin, Gordon Mooney, Iian Morrison, Donald MacPhee, Jackie Pincet, Nancy Tunnicliffe, Scot Walker, and John Wilson. He’s an experienced solo piper and also competes with the Grade 3 Capital Region Celtic Pipe Band of Albany, New York. A number of his students have become award-winning pipers. Being a late starter himself, and having many adult students, he enjoys teaching the adult beginner.

Richmond will be at the following sessions:
June 16-21, 2013, Macalester College, Saint Paul, Minnesota
June 23-28, 2013, Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, California
July 14-19, 2013, Shady Side Academy, Fox Chapel, Pennsylvania
July 21-26, 2013, Week 1, East Stroudsburg University, East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania 
July 28-August 2, 2013, Week 2, East Stroudsburg University, East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania 

James MacColl
James MacColl was born in 1928 in Shotts, Scotland. Jim’s first teacher was P/M Tom McAllister. He later received tuition from P/M Willie Ross, Iain MacPherson and Robert Reid. He was a member of the Shotts & Dykehard Pipe Band from 1939 to 1950. Between 1950 and 1954, he won most of the major piping awards in Scotland, including the aggregate at Cowal, four years in succession, and the Oban Gold Medal. He emigrated to California in 1955 and, since that time, has taught many of the top players on the west coast of the US.

James will be at the following sessions:
June 23-28, 2013, Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, California

Donald_McBride
Donald McBride was 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. Donald 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.

Donald will be at the following sessions:
June 9-14, 2013, St. John's Northwestern Military Academy, Delafield, Wisconsin
July 8-13, 2012, St. John's Military School, Salina, Kansas

Willie McCallum
Willie McCallum is one of the foremost competing pipers in the world today. A native of Campbeltown, Kintyre, Willie has won almost every prize in solo piping and several times over. Willie's list of achievements in the competitive field is extensive and include the following highlights: Glenfiddich World Championship, 8 times; Gold Medal, Northern Meeting, Inverness; Gold Medal, Argyllshire Gathering, Oban; Former Winners MSR, Northern Meeting, Inverness, twice; Former Winners MSR, Argyllshire Gathering, Oban, 4 times; The Bratach Gorm, London, 3 times; Donald Macleod Memorial, Stornoway, 7 times; Dr. Dan Reid Memorial, San Francisco, 7 times. He also has long and successful pipe band experience and was a member of the Scottish Power Pipe Band, winning three major championships. Willie is in demand as a recitalist, adjudicator and teacher and has five solo recordings to his credit, in addition to his appearance on a number of compilation albums recorded live at recitals and competitions. He received his main tuition from his uncles Ronald McCallum and Hugh A. McCallum and also came under the guidance of Ronald McCallum, MBE, Piper to The Duke of Argyll. In recent years, several of his students have gained high placings at the major piping gatherings at Oban, Inverness and London.

Willie will be at the following sessions:
June 16-21, 2013, Macalester College, Saint Paul, Minnesota
July 7-12, 2013, St. John's Military School, Salina, Kansas

“The small classes made it easier to get questions answered. The music book was excellent. The instructors were top-notch with exceptional qualifications, each one different in his teachings.”
Don Saraceno, California session student

“My lesson was an epiphany — my instructor put his finger precisely on what I needed to do to improve. Great to have plenty of time on the pipes in class!” Anne Marie deZeeuw, Kentucky session student

“From the individual attention to the basic fundamentals of drum maintenance, this was a well-rounded education — all in 4 ½ days.”

Gwyneth Duncan, California session student

 

Scottish Snare, Tenor Drum, and Bass Drum Instructors
Gordon Bell
Andrew Hoinacki
Alex Kuldell

Gordon Bell
Gordon Bell began drumming at the age of eight under the guidance of Norman MacLeod in the Kenmure Pipeband. He also received tuition from the legendary Alec Duthart. Gordon took over the corp in 1975; the band eventually changed the name to the Parlin & District.The band and corp dominated the pipeband scene throughout the 80s in the EUSPBA, winning the North American Championship in Grade 2, and placing them in Grade 1. He has also been a member of Muirhead & Sons, Kenmure, Worcester Kiltie, 78th Fraser Highlanders, and the City of Washington Pipe Bands. Gordon also saw a great deal of success in the solo field winning the EUSPBA Overall Champion each year from 1979 to 1987. He has recorded with The Empire Brass Quintet, 78th Frasers Live in Scotland, and with his own Celtic Rock group 51 Ash in which he plays the bass guitar.

Gordon will be at the following sessions:
July 14-19, 2013, Shady Side Academy, Fox Chapel, Pennsylvania
July 21-26, 2013, Week 1, East Stroudsburg University, East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania 
July 28-August 2, 2013, Week 2, East Stroudsburg University, East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania 



Andrew Hoinacki
Andrew Hoinacki started drumming at six years old and in just a few years learned tenor, bass and snare. After formative years in a junior band program, he has since age 14 been competing with bands in Grade 1 and Grade 2 including many years as a leading drummer. Andrew's solo accolades at the Professional level include United States Champion, MWPBA Champion Supreme, and WUSPBA Champion Supreme, along with runner-up finishes at the Agnew-Harrison Memorial and North American Championships.  He has served as an adjudicator for drumming and ensemble for a decade, is a member of the MWPBA Music Board, and past member of the WUSPBA Music Board. Andrew is a native of Chicago, competes as a distance member of the Grade 1 LA Scots, and is a full-time drumming educator including his own studio ar2|drumming as well as a faculty appointment for Scottish and Regimental styles of drumming at St. John's Northwestern Military Academy in Wisconsin. His well-rounded experience, down-to-earth approach, and very successful track record have made him a sought-after instructor for all forms of pipe band drumming, band coaching, and for his musical compositions. Andrew has been with the Balmoral School since 2010 and always looks forward to seeing his returning students and meeting new ones!

Andrew will be at the following sessions:
June 9-14, 2013, St. John's Northwestern Military Academy, Delafield, Wisconsin
June 23-28, 2013, Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, California
July 7-12, 2013, St. John's Military School, Salina, Kansas

Alex Kuldell
Alex Kuldell began learning to play the drums in 1986 with the Washington Scottish Pipe Band under lead drummer Ed Bauder. In 1997 Alex was recruited by lead drummer Jon Quigg into the grade II City of Washington Pipe Band. Within the next two years the band won the 1999 North American Pipe Band Championships and World Pipe Band Championships, resulting in a promotion to grade I. In addition, Alex was the Eastern United States Pipe Band Association professional snare drum solo season champion in 2000 and 2001. Currently, Alex is serving as a member of The Army's Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, an adjudicator for the EUSPBA, and is the lead drummer of the City of Washington Pipe Band.

Alex will be at the following session:
June 16-21, 2013, Macalester College, Saint Paul, Minnesota