The Maket Collective

Andrea Boyd began her piping in 1994 with the Antigonish Highland Society Pipe Band. She spent a decade in Scotland and Ireland, as a member of the Boghall & Bathgate Caledonia Pipe Band from 2003-2006, and the St. Laurence O’Toole Pipe Band from 2006-2011, winning the World Pipe Band Championships in 2010. Andrea returned to Canada in 2012 and was a member of the Ottawa Police Service Pipe Band from 2013-2017.

Andrea's solo piping career includes winning the B March and B Strathspey & Reel at the Argyllshire Gathering in 2006, the Silver Medal at the Argyllshire Gathering in 2008, Professional Piper of the Day at the Glengarry Highland Games in 2015 and 2022, and the Gold Medal (Canada) at the Glengarry Highland Games in 2017. Over the past twenty years, Andrea has been awarded open piper of the day at many of the Highland Games throughout Scotland and in Ontario; she has placed twice in the Gold Medal at the Argyllshire Gathering. 

Andrea lives in Ottawa, where she works at the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. She is the Pipe Major of the grade two Ottawa Highlanders Pipes & Drums and in recent years has enjoyed judging solo piping and pipe band competitions in Canada, the USA and Scotland. She spent over a decade as a member of the PPBSO Music Committee and was on the executive of the Ottawa Branch of the PPBSO, supporting the organisation of local competitions and concerts promoting piping and drumming in Eastern Ontario.

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Brìghde Chaimbeul (Breech-huh Campbell) is a leading purveyor of the Scottish smallpipes; a bellows-blown, mellower cousin to the Highland bagpipes. A native Gaelic speaker, Brìghde roots her music in her language and culture. She rose to prominence as a prodigy of traditional music, but has since begun a journey to take the smallpipes into uncharted territory. She has devised a unique way or arranging for pipe music that emphasises the rich textural drones of the instrument; the constancy of sound that creates a trance-like atmosphere, played with enticing virtuosic liquidity. She draws inspiration from the world of interconnected piping traditions, but her most recent album brings in influence from experimentalism, ambient avant garde and electronic music.

Her mesmerising musicianship has won her many awards and media recognition, including BBC Young Folk Award, BBC Horizon Award, Scottish Album of the Year Award nomination and a wide array of collaborators include Caroline Polachek, Colin Stetson, Gruff Rhys, Radie Peat.

Photo Credit: Steve Bliss

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Mackenzie began drumming at age 14 (7 years ago), influenced greatly by her father who is also a snare drummer. She initially had no interest in learning the drums. When asked by her father - she repeatedly responded with “no that’s for boys!” as she believed it may lead to playground teasing. Mackenzie’s parents were very encouraging and insisted that whatever she chose to do she would have their whole hearted support.

It was only when in her second year of high school did she find herself taking weekly snare drum lessons with Steven Nelson, discovering immense joy in them and the art of pipe band snare drumming.

With age and experience Mackenzie realised that some of the strongest drummers are women and girls, which was greatly motivating and inspiring for her. She hopes that she can be an inspiration for the next generation and that girls will not be afraid to do what they love.

Mackenzie became a member of the North Lanarkshire Schools Pipe Band in 2017, taking part in the 2017, 2018 and 2019 competition seasons. The band went on to win the Novice A World Pipe Band Championships in 2019. Mackenzie also had a highly successful solo drumming season in 2018 and 2019, winning the World Solo Drumming Championships Novice Juvenile March in 2018.

In late 2021, after a long hiatus due to covid, Mackenzie joined the Shotts and Dykehead Caledonia Pipe Band. Playing with Shotts gave her the opportunity to learn and play under renowned snare drummer Andrew Lawson. She is very much enjoying the challenge of playing in grade 1 and has gained an immense amount of experience and refined skill along the way.

Mackenzie is commencing her honours year at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland on the BMus Traditional Music Course. She has also returned to the North Lanarkshire Schools Pipe Band, teaching alongside Steven Nelson and David Henderson, tutoring their Novice B pupils, giving back to the next generation of drummers.

Mackenzie loves teaching and takes pride in experiencing her students' progress. She thoroughly enjoys getting to learn on the job and believes that even the most experienced tutors can improve their teaching by learning from their students. She is always further developing her teaching skills and methods to fit her students and make her a better tutor.

Mackenzie hopes that her passion for drumming can have a positive impact on how the world views pipe band snare drumming and bring joy to the lives of others.

Mackenzie is a thoroughly inspiring member of the 2024 Maket Collective, we are beyond ecstatic to have her on board.

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Margaret began learning the pipes at age 8, initially taught by her father Con Houlihan, and later by Stephen Power (ex Scots Guards). She has also received tuition from Andrew Wright and Roddy MacLeod MBE.

From 10 years of age Margaret has been a part of her local pipe band, the Cullen Pipe Band, where her father Con is Pipe Major. Throughout her piping career she has returned on numerous occasions to support the band in varying roles. In 2006, Margaret returned as Pipe Major and the band went on to win Grade 3B at the World Pipe Band Championships in 2007 under Margaret’s leadership. The band progressed to grade 2, where they won the All Ireland Pipe Band Championships in 2013. Margaret still competes with the Cullen Pipe Band and when possible returns as their Instructor Pipe Major.

Margaret moved to Scotland in 1998 to attend the Royal Scottish Academy of Music & Drama where she studied for 4 years and graduated with an Honours Degree in Scottish Traditional Music. Margaret has since become a qualified examiner for the Piping and Drumming Qualifications Board exams (SQA approved), after passing the Institute of Piping Graduate Certificate with distinction in 2004.

While studying in Scotland, Margaret joined the Shotts and Dykehead Caledonia Pipe Band, under Pipe Major Robert Mathieson, and with them won the World Pipe Band Championships in Grade 1 in 2000.

In 2023, Margaret made a triumphant return to the Shotts and Dykehead Caledonia Pipe Band, under Pipe Major Emmet Conway. Margaret is enjoying the experience of Grade 1 all over again (just a little older this time!).

Margaret’s piping career has also featured an extensive array of solo piping competition success. Margaret has competed regularly around the Scottish Highland Games circuit and at the Argyllshire Gathering, SPSL (London) and the Northern Meetings. Additionally, she has also competed in many knockout competitions through-out Scotland.

Some of her prizes to date include:

• 1st MacGregor Memorial Piobaireachd (22 and under) Argyllshire Gathering 1999
• 1st B Grade March, Argyllshire Gathering 1999
• 1st Strachan Memorial A Grade March Strathspey & Reel, London 2000
• 1st Duncan Johnstone Memorial Piobaireachd 2001
• 1st A Grade Strathspey and Reel, Argyllshire Gathering 2003
• Winner of the Silver Medal at the Northern Meetings 2007
• 1st A Grade March at the Argyllshire Gathering 2007
• 5th Former Winners MSR London 2007
• 5th Former Winners 2/4 March London 2007
• Islay Inn Knockout Winner 2011
• Piping for Pints Knockout, Aberdeen 2013
• Scots Guards Club Knockout Winner 2014

Margaret has a passion for teaching across all levels of piping and for the last 20 years has taught at the National Piping Centre. She teaches both in-person and online, providing students with an immense array of knowledge, structured feedback and solid strategies to improve their playing, technique and gain confidence in their abilities.

Margaret is an integral part of the National Piping Centre and additionally has a key role in facilitating the Competition League of Amateur Solo Pipers (The CLASP). In its 20th year, The CLASP has grown as a valuable global competition platform for amateur pipers around the world and in Scotland.

Margaret is also a proud mum to Callum (14) and Rory (12), and like many mums has spent several years attempting to find balance in her work, piping and raising her boys.

Margaret brings a wealth of knowledge and experience, we are beyond excited to have her as part of the Maket Collective.

Upcoming Performance Dates
Margaret will be travelling down to Leicester to perform with Shotts in a mini-band performance for the RATAE Pipe Band on the 16th November.
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The Piping Show Feat. Margaret Dunn, Feb 2022
Shotts & Dykehead Caledonia at the European Pipe Band Championships 2024
Shotts & Dykehead Caledonia at Gourock Highland Games in May 2023 - Margaret's first contest back in Grade 1!
The National Piping Centre's Bytesize Bagpipe teaching series
Margaret Houlihan & Andrea Boyd Duet at North West England Piping Society 2010

Sarah Staub is a Canadian Bass and Tenor instructor with a passion for developing players of all ages and skill levels into strong, confident players. Sarah is originally from Edmonton, Alberta and started snare drumming with her high school before transitioning to the tenor drum.

Taking on her school's motto “turning passion into performance” she quickly rose to compete in Grade One after graduating high school.

Throughout her career Sarah has played across the globe with top Grade One bands such as St. Laurence O’Toole (Éire), Manawatu Scottish (New Zealand), Alberta Caledonia (Canada), and is a current member of Police Scotland and Federation Pipe Band (Scotland).

Sarah now fully resides in Scotland teaching at schools across Edinburgh and privately teaches several adult bands around the world. Her goal when it comes to teaching is to encourage players to enjoy their hobby and bring out the best player they can be.

Sarah is an incredibly inspirational member of the 2024 Maket Collective, we are thrilled to have her as part of the team.

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Manawatu Scottish at the World Pipe Band Championship in 2023

Hazel originates from South Lanarkshire and began her music journey at age seven. Hazel has had many performance opportunities through the years due to her time spent with the North Lanarkshire Schools Pipe Band (2014-2020) and The National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland (2017-2024). More recently, Hazel has joined the Royal Burgh of Annan Pipe Band and is a current member.

Hazel also competes in the Open solo piping competitions in both light music and piobaireachd.

Hazel recently graduated from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland with a BMus Traditional Music- Piping, honours (First Class) and will continue her studies on the Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (Music) course pursuing her passion for education and teaching. Her Principal Study instrument at university was the Highland Bagpipes, but she is also proficient in the Alto Saxophone and Piano.

Through her piping career Hazel has had some incredible performance opportunities. She has performed with the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Pipes and Drums, in both the Norwegian Tattoo and the Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2024. She also has performed at Celtic Connections and HRH The King’s Scottish Coronation; Piping Live; Tartan Day Parade New York; and a special performance for the late HM Queen Elizabeth.

Hazel participated in the Trainee Tutor programme with The National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland and is currently a Piping Tutor with the North Lanarkshire Schools Pipe Band, The National Piping Centre and a Music Instructor with South Lanarkshire Council. She has taught at the Larkhall Youth Pipes and Drums project, The South West Scotland Piping and Drumming Academy and The College of Piping PEI, Summerside, Canada.

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