Piping Staff
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George Balderose
Smallpiping and Highland Piping
 George
has been studying with some of the world’s top Highland piping instructors
for more than two decades. During much of this time, he has been developing methods
of teaching piping to adult beginners, and several of his Highland piping students
have won firsts at EUSPBA-sanctioned piping competitions. George has also been
playing and teaching the Scottish smallpipes for more than fifteen years. He
has performed with the Pittsburgh Symphony, as a soloist for the Metropolitan
Museum of Art in NYC, 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 One Piobaireachd four times.
George will be at the following sessions:
June 14-19, 2009, Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, California
June 28-July 3, 2009, Shady Side Academy, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
July 26-31, 2009, Week 2, East Stroudsburg University, East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania |
Maureen Connor
Highland Piping
 Maureen
attended her first Balmoral School in 1988 and has been instructing since
1994. She
currently teaches professionally in New York’s Capital District where her
students compete in all Amateur Grades.
She directs the Scotia-Glenville Pipe Band who placed third at the The World
Pipe Band Championships in 2007 (Novice Juvenile) They have been promoted
to Grade 3/Juvenile for 2008. She is a member of the Oran Mor
Pipe Band which has been promoted to Grade 1 for 2008. As a soloist,
she won the Nicol-Brown Chalice for Piobaireachd as well as several MacCrimmon
Quaich’s. She also competed at Oban and Inverness from 1997 to 1999.
Maureen will be at the following session:
June 21-26, 2009, Thomas More College, Crestview Hills, Kentucky |
Brian Donaldson
Highland 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.
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
centralised 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 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 2 Clasps at Skye the Bratach
Gorm London 2nd in the Gold medal at the Northern Meetings 3 times, the Donald
Macdonald Quaich, the MSR Argyllshire Gathering 3 times MSR Northern Meetings
achieving a double in 1984 winning both MSR competitions at Oban and Inverness
in the same year, the MSR London MSR Grants competition, and numerous invites
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 14-19, 2009, Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, California
June 21-26, 2009, Thomas More College, Crestview Hills, Kentucky
June 28-July 3, 2009, Shady Side Academy, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
July 5-10, 2009, North Central College, Naperville, Illinois |
Alasdair Gillies
Highland Piping
 Alasdair
teaches the Carnegie-Mellon University Pipe Band in Pittsburgh. He also has
17 years of experience as piper and Pipe Major with the Queen's Own Highlanders,
serving for many years as instructor to prepare recruits to be Regimental
Pipers. In addition, he has had an astounding number of successes at piping
competitions over the years. For example, he won every event he entered at
the Northern Meeting in Inverness in 1986. He won the Inverness Former Winners
MSR ten times between 1986-2002, more than any other piper in history! In
2002, he won the Glenfiddich Championship MSR for the sixth time. Alasdair
is clearly one of the world’s very best solo pipers.
Alasdair will be at the following sessions:
June 14-19, 2009, Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, California
June 21-26, 2009, Thomas More College, Crestview Hills, Kentucky
June 28-July 3, 2009, Shady Side Academy, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
July 19-24, 2009, Week 1, East Stroudsburg University, East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania
July 26-31, 2009, Week 2, East Stroudsburg University, East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania |
Richmond Johnston
Highland Piping
 Richmond
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 14-19, 2009, Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, California
July 19-24, 2009, Week 1, East Stroudsburg University, East Stroudsburg,
Pennsylvania
July 26-31, 2009, Week 2, East Stroudsburg University, East Stroudsburg,
Pennsylvania |
James MacColl
Highland Piping
 Jim
was born in 1928 in Shotts, Scotland. His first teacher wasP/M Tom McAllister.
He later received tuition from P/M Willie Ross, Iain MacPherson and Robert
Reid. Jim was a member of the Shotts & Dykehard Pipe Band
from 1939-50. Between 1950-54 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, he has taught many of the top players on the west coast of the USA.
Jim will be at the following session:
June 14-19, 2009, Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, California |
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Adrian Melvin
Highland Piping
 Adrian
was born in Dundee, Scotland, and in 1988 joined P/M Ian Duncan's band,
Scotrail Vale of Atholl, for several concert tours overseas and appeared
solo on two band recordings. In 1995, he played with the Strathclyde Police
Pipe Band. He emigrated to Melbourne, Australia, to become a member of
the Victoria Police Pipe Band, which became the 1998 World Champions in
Grade 1 in Glasgow . He has been involved extensively in tutoring local
pipe bands Victoria, Australia, and was the Pipe Major of the City of Melbourne
pipe band in Grade 1. In 1999, he emigrated to Canada and joined the 78th
Fraser Highlanders in Toronto.
Adrian will be at the following session:
July 5-10, 2009, North Central College, Naperville, Illinois |
Lyric Todkill
Highland Piping
 A
graduate of Carnegie Mellon University’s prestigious music conservatory,
Lyric is only the second person in the world to hold a Bachelor of Fine
Arts in music performance on the bagpipe. Under the direction of famed
Pipe Major Alasdair Gillies, Lyric received his degree in 2003 along with
his Graduate Teacher Certificate from the Institute of Piping in Glasgow,
Scotland.
After a successful amateur career, including overall wins at the
George Sherriff, Nicol-Brown, and United States Piping Foundation, Lyric
turned professional in 2003. Since that time he has been a member
of the Scottish Lion 78th Fraser Highlanders and in 2005 began teaching
piping full time at St. Thomas’ Episcopal School in Houston, Texas.
Lyric will be at the following session:
July 19-24, 2009, Week 1, East Stroudsburg University, East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania
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Scot Walker
Highland Piping
 Scot,
of Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, was rated #1 Overall Solo Piping Competitor
seven out of eight years by the Eastern US Pipe Band Association. He has won
firsts at nearly all the major US Solo Championships. In Scotland, he has
won first prizes in the professional competitions at the games in Dornoch,
Strathpeffer, Lonach, and Cowal, among others. Currently, he serves on the
Music Faculty of Moravian College as instructor of Bagpipe Music. His students
have distinguished themselves at EUSPBA Amateur competitions throughout the
Eastern US.
Scot will be at the following sessions:
July 19-24, 2009, Week 1, East Stroudsburg University, East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania
July 26-31, 2009, Week 2, East Stroudsburg University, East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania
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Drumming
Staff
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Richard Baughman
Scottish Snare and Bass Drumming
 Richard
has been playing drums since he was six and has won numerous national and
international competitions for solo drumming. With a natural affinity and
passion for Scottish drumming, Richard has played with many accomplished
Grade 1 and 2 pipe bands, including Toronto Police Pipe Band, City of Detroit
Pipe Band, North Coast Pipe Band, and Saffron United Pipe Band, where he
was the lead drummer. In 2006, Richard played with House of Edgar Shotts
and Dykehead Pipe Band as a fly-in player under the leadership of the world-renowned
Jim Kilpatrick. In 2007, Richard became the lead drummer for the Grade
1 Los Angeles Scots Pipe Band and led the drum corps to place first in
drumming in the qualifying round and eleventh overall at the 2007 World
Pipe Band Championships. Richard has instructed many aspiring players of
all ages in the art of Scottish drumming as well as teaching competitive
drum corps, college courses, and master classes. He has also spoken at
pipe band and music conventions nationwide. Also, Richard has created the
Perfect
Practice Pad.
Originally from Ft. Wayne, Indiana, Richard graduated
from Interlochen Arts Academy (a performing arts boarding high school in
Michigan) as a four-year percussion major, completed his Bachelor’s
of Music in percussion at The Juilliard School, received his Master's of
Music from Mannes College of Music, and is currently finishing his Doctorate
of Musical Arts from the University of Southern California.
Richard has
had many years of training in classical, Scottish, and world percussion.
As a performer, he has been a featured percussionist for Paul Halley
since 2000, and has been the featured percussionist for many outstanding
groups, including the Glen Velez Ensemble, The Nick Halley Band, and The
Celebration Youth Chorus. Richard has expertise in classical and world
percussion, including Latin, African, Middle-Eastern, Indian, and, of course,
Scottish drumming. Richard first began playing the piano when he was four.
He continued his studies throughout high school and college. He has taught
students of all ages in public schools, community centers and has instructed
many students privately.
Richard will be at the following sessions:
June 14-19, 2009, Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, California |
Gordon Bell
Scottish Snare and Bass Drumming
 Gordon
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 1979-87. 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 also plays the bass guitar.
Gordon will be at the following sessions:
June 28-July 3, 2009, Shady Side Academy, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
July 19-24, 2009, Week 1, East Stroudsburg University, East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania
July 26-31, 2009, Week 2, East Stroudsburg University, East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania |
Jon Quigg
Scottish Snare and Bass Drumming
 Jon
began his drumming career in the Annapolis Pipe Band in Maryland at
the age of 13. His primary influences include John Bosworth,
Tom Kee and Alex Duthart. In 1976, at the age of 16, he moved into the professional
solo competitor ranks and into the Grade 2 Denny and Dunipace Pipe Band of
Washington, DC. He assumed the Drum Sergeant position of the “the Denny
band,” now named the City of Washington Pipe Band, in 1989 and his
solo and band successes continued through 2005 — not the least of which was
a Grade 2 World Championship in 1999.
Since 1980, he has been a pipe band drumming clinician around the country
and as far afield as Tokyo and Hong Kong. In 2006, he stepped down
as drum sergeant with the CoW organization, but continues to teach, compose
and perform.
Jon will be at the following session:
June 21-26, 2009, Thomas More College, Crestview Hills, Kentucky
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Jim Sim
Scottish Snare and Bass Drumming
 Jim
started drumming lessons with his father at the age of eight. From
his first band, the Stock Yard Kilty Band from Chicago, he worked his way
up the solo ranks and eventually was placed in the Open. His early influences
in drumming were from his father and John Kirkwood, Sr. from St. Catharines,
Ontario. In 1975, Pipe Major Ian Swinton asked Jim to help form the new
Midlothian Scottish Pipe Band, which placed third in their first Grade
4 contest. With Jim as the leading drummer, Midlothian went on to win many
titles, and was promoted to Grade 1 in 1985, a mere ten years using mostly
players taught by Ian and Jim.
Midlothian is now in its 31st year with Ian and Jim still
together now in Grade 2. Jim has taught many young players who have gone
on to win many contests of their own as well as many of the bands in the
Midwest United States. Jim has also had the honor of playing with The Chieftains
and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. He is currently the leading drummer of
the Midlothian Scottish Pipe Band, as well as a full adjudicator with the
MidWest Pipe Band Association and the chair of the MWPBA Music Board.
Jim will be at the following session:
July 5-10, 2009, North Central College, Naperville, Illinois
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