Winter Storm Biographies
(Final list of instructors subject to change.)
John Cairns
John Cairns has won almost every major soloist prize in North America, and in 1999 achieved the rarest of feats, becoming the 11th person in the history of piping to win “The Double”: both Highland Society of London Gold Medals for solo piping, at Oban and Inverness, in the same year. Most recently, he’s won the Bratach Gorm in 2004.
Before joining the 78th Fraser Highlanders Pipe Band, John was Pipe Major of the St. Thomas Police Grade 1 Pipe Band.
As an instructor, John holds the internationally recognized Institute of Piping’s Senior Teacher’s Certificate. During his seventeen years in the Canadian Forces, he taught over ten thousand students in the Cadet Pipes and Drums Training Program, and developed a curriculum now available to pipers everywhere.
In 2000, John’s composition "The Lament for the Unknown Soldier" was selected and performed during the dedication of Canada’s National War Memorial. His work is prominently featured in the 78th Fraser's 2003 concert extravaganza, "Seanchaidh".
John lives in London, Ontario with his wife and family, and owns a piping educational and consulting business.
Mike Cusack
Mike is an eleven time winner of the U.S. Piping Foundation Championship, most recently in 2003. The first American to have won the Gold Medal at Oban and Inverness, his awards also include the Senior Piobaireachd Competition at Oban, the Clasp at Inverness, the Bratach Gorm at London, and the March, Strathspey and Reel and Piobaireachd events at the Glenfiddich.
Mike is Headmaster at St. Thomas' Episcopal School in Houston, Texas, and led the school pipe band to four Juvenile World Championships, including 2004.
Alastair Dunn
Alastair is a frequent prize winner on the Professional piping circuit including the Gold and Silver Medals at the Northern Meeting, the Metro Cup in New York, and the A Grade Piobaireachd, London.
Pipe Sergeant of the Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band, Alastair helped PM Richard Parkes win every major competition including the World Championships in 2002, 2004, 2006, and 2007. Alastair was acting Pipe Major of the Band in 2004 winning the Scottish and All Ireland Championships.
As General Manager at R.G. Hardie & Co., Alastair is a manufacturer of quality bagpipes including the premium Peter Henderson line.
Alasdair Gillies
Former Pipe Major of the Queen’s Own Highlanders, Alasdair is Pipe Major of the Carnegie Mellon University Pipes and Drums, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Featured on Lismor Recordings “World‘s Greatest Pipers” volume 12, he’s won numerous Glenfiddich Championships in Scotland, the Braemar Gold Medal (twice), eleven Silver Stars, the Gold Medal at Oban, the Gold Medal at Inverness, and in 2007 the Argyllshire Gathering Former Winners MSR. Alasdair is the member of the Spirit of Scotland Pipe Band.
Jack Lee
Jack Lee is Pipe Sergeant of the four-time World Champion Simon Fraser University Pipe Band, in Vancouver, British Columbia. Featured on Lismor’s "World's Greatest Pipers" volume 15, he's won the Gold Medal and Clasp at Inverness, and the Gold Medal and Senior Piobaireachd at Oban, as well as the Glenfiddich. Jack won the 2006 Bratach Gorm in London, and in 2007 his third Silver Star at the Northern Meeting.
Colin MacLellan
Colin MacLellan, a professional educator, has achieved much as both a bandsman and solo piper. Starting as Pipe Major of the 1986 Grade 4 Glengarry Pipe Band, he led the band to the 1996 Grade 2 North American and US Championships; the band was promoted to Grade 1 the following year. He was appointed Pipe Major of Edinburgh’s storied Lothian and Borders Police Pipe Band in 1999, serving to 2004.
Colin won the Gold Medal at the Northern Meeting in 1982, consecutive MacCrimmon Silver Chanters in 1990 and 1991, and the Gold Medal at the Argyllshire Gathering in 1992. He served as President of the Competing Pipers Association from 1999 – 2004, and is featured on Lismor Recordings’ “World’s Greatest Pipers” volume 11.
Angus MacColl
Angus MacColl is ranked among the World’s greatest pipers, and distinguished himself by winning the Gold Medal, Silver Star, and Clasps at Inverness, and the Gold Medal, Former Winners’ MSR, and several Senior
Piobaireachd at Oban. He won the Glenfiddich Invitational in 1995,
repeating this Championship in 2006.
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Andrew Wright