Teachers' List
The Teachers in our list are each qualified in one or more of the following categories:
1. Certified PPBSO Drumming Judges
2. PPBSO Apprentice Judges
3. Certified PDQB instructors/examiners
4. Department of National Defence Regular Forces Drumming Qualification Level 6 B
Snare Drumming Teachers
Chris Bell
Brief Bio:
Professional solo drummer
Grade 1 band experience
Certified PPBSO drumming judge
Scope of Practice:
Chris teaches the Rob Roy Pipe Band in Kingston.
Chris will teach small numbers of individuals that are not members of the band and is comfortable teaching any amateur grades and any bands from grade 5 - 2.
Chris is available for drum score compositions.
Chris prefers to teach in person.
Location: Kingston Ontario
contact: Chris.bell20@gmail.com
Dan Bist
Brief Bio:
Professional Snare Drummer
Certified PPBSO Drumming and Ensemble Judge
Composer of scores for snare, voiced midsection, and pipes.
Has performed and competed with bands at all grade levels during his playing career.
Played in 2007 Grade 1 World Champion Drum Corps under l/d Drew Duthart
Played in 2008 Grade 2 North American Champion Drum Corps under l/d Graham Kirkwood
Lead Drummer of 2011 Grade 3 PPBSO Champion Supreme drum corps
Solo finalist in the Gold Medal contest at MHAF Winter Storm in 2011
Scope of Practice:
All grades: Individuals, Snare corps, Full drum corps, Full band ensemble,
Offerings: , Individual lessons, Group lessons, Workshops, Score writing
Common topics: Rhythmic grids and metric accents, Playing technique and rudiments, Music reading/writing, Detailed listening and ensemble, Score writing / composition, Forming routines to maximize performance
LOCATION: Barrie, ON
Has worked with students and bands throughout Simcoe County and the GTA
Preferred Contact Information:
Email: dbist@hotmail.com
Blair Brown
Brief Bio:
Certified PPBSO/BCPA Drumming Judge
3x Grade 1 World Pipe Band Champion
4x Grade 1 World Drum Corps Champion
Consistent prize winner at the World Solo Drumming Championships
Full time Professional Drumming Instructor
Full Bio: blairbrownpercussion.com
Scope of Practice:
In person, or online solo lessons.
In person, or online clinics, and band workshops.
Custom music composition
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Contact Information: blairbrownpercussion.com
Graham Brown
Brief Bio:
Professional Snare Drummer
Certified PPBSO Drumming Judge
3 Grade 1 World Championships
4 Grade 1 World Drum Corps Championships
Grade 1 Lead Drummer
Full time drumming instructor at St. Thomas Episcopal School
Full Bio: https://www.gbpercussion.com/about
Scope of Practice:
In person, or online solo lessons.
In person, or online clinics, and band workshops.
Custom music composition
Contact Information: https://www.gbpercussion.com/contact
Hugh Cameron
Brief Bio:
Retired professional solo drummer
Extensive grade 1 band experience
Certified PPBSO drumming judge
RSPBA Advanced Certificate 1981
Full Bio: https://www.cameronsdrumming.com/about-hugh/
Scope of Practice:
Has developed a comprehensive program for teaching at all levels
Specializes in teaching beginners and any individual motivated to improving their personal playing
prefers to teach in person, and does a limited amount of online teaching
Location: Wellesley, Ontario
Contact Information:
Email: hugh.cam.1949@gmail.com
Landline: 519.656.9483
Dave Coleman
Brief Bio:
Drumming experience in all grade levels of competitive pipe bands.
Certified ACPBA drumming judge, 1980
Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) Level 6 Certificate in Scottish Pipe Band Drumming (2018)
Snare Drumming Assessor, Piping and Drumming Qualifications Board (PDQB), 2019
Scope of Practice:
Has developed a comprehensive program for teaching at all levels
Specializes in teaching intermediate level drummers
Available to teach individuals and band workshops in person or online
Custom music composition
Location: Fredericton, New Brunswick
Contact Information: drdjc.gm@gmail.com
Steven Hill
Brief Bio:
Professional Solo Drummer
Extensive grade 1 band experience including leading drummer. Steven has played the leading drum in every grade giving him insight into the unique needs of each grade.
Certified PPBSO drumming & ensemble judge
Currently plays with Peel Police Pipe Band
Scope of Practice
Does regular workshops with bands in the Windsor Detroit area.
Prefers teaching in person but does teach online.
Location: Detroit/Windsor Area
Mike Hunter
Brief Bio:
Professional Snare Drummer
Certified PPBSO Drumming Judge
3 time Grade 1 World Drum Corps Champion with Shotts & Dykehead PB
Former Leading Drummer of 78th Fraser Highlanders PB
Extensive experience at building and developing drum corps
Michael Specializes in Workshops that Facilitate Drum Corps / Band Development:
Effective Drum Corps Management
Preparing for Competition
Developing a Great Ensemble Sound
Musical Drum Score Compositions
Contact Information:
Contact Michael Hunter <MHunter@mcw.com>
Graham Kirkwood
Brief Bio:
Professional Snare Drummer
Certified PPBSO Drumming Judge
Extensive experience developing drum corps in various grades
Extensive grade 1 band experience including former leading drummer of the Grade 1 Peel Police Pipe Band
Scope of Practice:
Although Graham has taught both solo and band drumming for some time, he is unavailable to teach at present. He encourages any individuals seeking solo drumming instruction or pipe band drum corps instruction to contact a professional drumming teacher, such as those mentioned in the PPBSO Drumming Teachers’ List on this webpage.
Brian McCue
Brief Bio:
Former professional percussionist with Orchestra London
Grade 1 band experience under Drew Duthart with the Toronto Police Pipe Band.
Lead drummer Toronto Police Pipe Band grade 2 and grade 3
Certified PPBSO drumming Judge
Holds a Masters Degree in music (percussion) from McGill University
Full time professional drumming instructor at St. Andrew's College in Aurora Ontario
Has contributed to the development of the Cadet Pipe Band Training program and has 33 years experience as a member of the Canadian Armed Forces.
Scope of Practice:
Primarily teaches at St. Andrew's College
Teaches individuals and does workshops
Teaches in person and online
Location: Aurora Ontario (North of Toronto)
Contact information:
Brian McCue brian.mccue@sac.on.ca
Scott Nicholson
Brief Bio:
Professional solo drummer
Extensive grade 1 band experience
Certified PPBSO drumming judge
Scope of Practice:
Teaches the Kingston Police Pipe Band
Teaches all levels from beginners to advanced
Prefers to teach in person
Currently the band is active and accepting new drummers that have experience. We will start our beginners program in the fall of 2022. Please contact us for more information.
Location: Kingston, Ontario
Contact Information:
Mark Passmore
Brief Bio:
Professional solo drummer
Grade 1 band experience including The 78th Highlanders and grade 1 Peel Regional Police Pipe Band
Has been leading drummer of Toronto Police Pipe Band, the successful grade 2 Glengarry Pipe Band and 400 Squadron Pipes & Drums
Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), Regular Forces Qualification Level 6(B) Instructor
CAF School of Music Professional Instructor for 6 years, teaching military personnel from across Canada
Currently the leading drummer of the Ottawa Highlanders and drumming instructor for 8 Wing Pipes & Drums Trenton
Scope of Practice:
Free instruction for civilian and military personnel in the Trenton area
Offers individual lessons and workshops for bands that cover all aspects of pipe band drumming including: technique, rudiments, scoring, good corps playing, drum tuning and maintenance.
prefers to teach in person
Location: Trenton, Ontario
Contact information:
Email: rmarkpassmore@hotmail.com
Phone: (705)-279-DRUM (3786)
If in the Trenton ON area:
Email: mark.passmore@forces.go.ca
Phone: (613)-392-2811 ex 3387
Alan Savage
Brief Bio:
Professional Snare Drummer
Certified PPBSO Drumming Judge
1 x World Pipe Band Championship (Grade 1)
1 x World Drum Corps Championship (Grade 1)
Former leading drummer of the Grade 1 Toronto Police Pipe Band
Formerly a consistent prize winner in Open Solo competition
Author of 2 instructional books for pipe band drumming
Scope of Practice:
I support this teacher's web page but due to professional and family responsibilities, I am unavailable to teach or do workshops at this time. I encourage all individuals seeking to learn pipe band drumming to contact any qualified professional instructor.
Doug Stronach
Brief Bio:
Grade 1 leading drummer and corps drummer
Certified judge
Certified PDQB Assessor and instructor
Over 30 years teaching experience
Authored instruction books on pipe band drumming
Full bio:
Scope of Practice:
Online solo and group lessons from beginner to advanced
Online and in-person workshops and band sessions
Contact Information:
Larry Willis
Brief Bio:
Retired lead drummer of Guelph Pipe Band and 48th Highlanders of Canada Pipes and Drums
Extensive experience in all grades for over 50 years
Currently teaching grade 4 drum corps in Guelph and Teeswater Highlanders
Certified PPBSO drumming and ensemble judge
Scope of Practice:
Will teach all levels from beginner to advanced in both solo and drum corps settings
Will write scores for both solo and corps works and enhance level as lessons progress
Prefer to teach in person but skype or zoom calls can be arranged
Will teach competitive or non-competitive corps to improve playing and knowledge of pipe band drumming
Will work with drum corps in a small group setting for reading, writing and tuning
Willing to travel reasonable distances to teach
Location: Walkerton, Ontario
Contact Information:
Email: mwi48th@gmail.com
Landline: 519-507-2622
Bass and Tenor Drumming Teachers
Jamie Alfred
Brief Bio:
Professional Solo Tenor & Bass Drummer
Certified PPBSO Bass & Tenor Drumming Judge
Extensive Grade 1 Experience
2018 3B World Drum Corps Champion
2019 Agnew Harrison Professional Bass Winner
Full Bio: http://www.flourishingrhythm.com
Scope of Practice:
In person & virtual - solo instruction for bass & tenor drummers of all levels
In person & virtual - band instruction for bass & tenor drummers
Custom music composition for bands & soloists
Location: Beeton, ON
Contact Information: flourishing.rhythm@gmail.com
Mike Cole
Brief Bio:
Certified EUSPBA and PPBSO B & T Drumming Judge
Professional solo bass drummer winning 2 Gold Medals at the Winter Storm event in Kansas City
Extensive pipe band experience, winning the 1998 Grade Two World Bass Title, and multiple North American titles in Grades One and Two.
Manufacturer of Twisted Thistle Pipe Band Bass Drum Sticks
Scope of practice:
Mike conducts workshops for Scottish Arts’ schools, focusing on fundamental to advanced technique, drum tuning and B&T score creation emphasising overall band sound.
Contact info: mike@twistedthistle.com
Kate Dudek
Certified PPBSO Tenor and Bass Drumming Judge
Professional Tenor Drummer since 2002
Member of Best Bass Section and Best Drum Corps (Grade 1) with 78th Fraser Highlanders at 2007 World Championships, additionally played with City of Regina Pipe Band (Grade 2) for many years.
Has been instructing, composing, and choreographing for tenor and bass drummers in private lessons and bands in Southern Ontario since 2008, supporting bands to win numerous awards - including the Guelph Pipe Band, Grade 3 North American Champions and Best Bass Section in 2019.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, she has continued to work with the band midsections, running online practices via a combination of asynchronously recorded video/audio compilations and self-analysis over Zoom calls. All midsection players get to be the Ensemble Judge as they view an accurate integrated video with sound of the corps playing. This work transfers brilliantly to work with distance players and those who can not all meet regularly in person.
Kate specializes in composition/choreography of melodic, rhythmic, and harmonically relevant midsection scores for bands and players at all levels.
Location: Kitchener, ON
Full Bio & Contact info: https://www.katedudekdrumming.com/
Andrew Elliot
Brief Bio:
Certified PPBSO Bass & Tenor Drumming Judge
Full time professional drumming instructor at Saint Thomas Episcopal School.
Extensive Grade 1 Band experience including 4 x Grade 1 World Pipe Band Championships with Field Marshal Montgomery Pipe Band
Professional solo bass & tenor drummer winning the Canadian, American and North American Championships as well as 8-time winner of the MHAF gold medal in Kansas City.
Manufacturer of ACE bass and tenor drum sticks
Scope of Practice:
In person or online teaching.
Individual lessons or band workshops
Location: Houston, Texas
Full bio, Website and Contact Information: https://www.ace-percussion.com/about
Tyler Fry
Certified PPBSO Tenor and Bass Drumming Judge
Tyler is internationally recognized as the leading percussionist of a generation in the art of pipe band tenor drumming. He has won every major professional solo tenor drumming event in North America; and he is the three-time winner of the Grade One World Bass Section/Midsection Championship with the 78th Fraser Highlanders Pipe Band of Toronto, countless Scottish, British, European and World band and drum corps titles with Shotts & Dykehead Caledonia Pipe Band and the Spirit of Scotland Pipe Band under the leadership of the legendary Jim Kilpatrick.
Tyler conducts masterclasses and seminars worldwide, presenting and commentating at major events, and performing regularly on international tours with the Red Hot Chili Pipers.
Meanwhile, he runs his company, TyFry Ltd, making world class percussion products and also works as a busy real estate agent in Houston, Texas.
Tyler is happy to present workshops on topics such as:
Rhythmic grids
Tone and Tuning for Bass and Tenor Drummers
Harmonic Voicing
Beginner Flourish Rudiments
Location: Houston, Texas, USA
Contact information: https://tyfry.com/contact/
Kyle Heaney
Brief Bio:
Certified PPBSO Bass & Tenor Drumming Judge
Extensive Grade 1 Band experience including:
3 x Grade 1 World Pipe Band Champion
2 x Grade 1 World Drum Corps Champion
1 x Worlds Best Bass Section Grade 1
Professional solo tenor drummer and consistent prize winner throughout North America
Scope of Practice:
In person or online teaching.
Individual lessons, Sectional or Band Workshops
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Contact Information: heaney.kyle@gmail.com
Reagan Jones
Brief Bio:
Professional solo bass drummer
Extensive grade 1 band experience
Certified PPBSO bass & tenor drumming judge
Scope of Practice:
Teaches individuals and bands
Teaches in person and online
Focuses on improving technique, reading music, writing music and flourishing.
Location: Lindsay, Ontario
Contact Information:
Email: reaganmjones@hotmail.com
Ryan Robertson
Brief Bio
Certified PPBSO Bass & Tenor Drumming Judge
Extensive Grade 1 Experience
Accomplished professional solo Bass and Tenor drummer; winner of various North American Championships, Champion Supreme, Agnew-Harrison invitational, MHAF silver medal for tenor and bass.
Grade 3B World drum corps Champion
I support this teacher's web page but due to professional and family responsibilities, I am unavailable to teach or do workshops at this time. I encourage all individuals seeking to learn pipe band drumming to contact any qualified professional instructor
Johnny Rowe
Brief Bio:
Certified PPBSO bass and tenor drumming judge.
Professional solo bass drummer winning 4 Ontario Champion Supreme awards.
Extensive Grade 1 band experience including Best Bass-section and 'World Championship Drum Corps' titles
Scope of practice:
Prefers to teach in person but can do online consultation.
Lessons focus on technique, tuning, contest preparation, and score execution.
Prefers to teach beginner or intermediate level students with some experience and basic knowledge of the rudiments.
Offers ensemble workshops for grade 3, 4 and 5 bands.
Location: Caledonia, Ontario
Owner of Caledonia Drum Studio
Contact: bigjohnnyrowe@gmail.com
See Johnny's Intro to Bass Drumming video here