BCPA is fortunate to have members that are Pipers, Drummers, and who also Highland Dance! This Spring three of our members, Evan Jamieson, Colleen Mahon, and Shayla MacNeil were successful in qualifying to represent their Province/State at the Canadian and USA National Championships. This Summer, the Scotdance Canada Championship Series takes place July 4 – 9 in Ottawa, Ontario with the Canadian Championship on Sunday, July 6. The USIR Highland Dance Championship takes place July 9 – 13 in Santa Clara, California with the USA Nationals, Saturday, July 12. Let us celebrate and Congratulate Evan, Colleen, & Shayla on their success and wish them the Best of Luck this July!

Evan Jamieson BC Provincial Champion 16 & 17 Years

Some kids are born into hockey families, but I was born into a Highland dancing one. Long before I could spell Fling, I was learning it — just like my mother, grandmother, aunt, and cousin before me. My first dance teacher was Heather Jolley, and I loved taking lessons with her. In 2020, Mrs. Jolley took a step away from teaching and this led me to Linda Armstrong from California. Both teachers have been incredibly kind to me, helping me realize my potential.
My proudest moments include becoming a B.C. Rep for the Canadian Championships in Calgary, Regina, Halifax, Kamloops, and Ottawa (next month). I am also proud of my 2 top 6 finishes at the Canadian Championships with the most recent one in 2024.

I have also been incredibly lucky. At a BCHDA event, names of championship winners were put into a draw. My name was drawn, and I received the Soar to Scotland grant — a scholarship honouring one of my mother’s former teachers, Angus MacKenzie. In Highland dance, male dancers are the minority and to receive this award in memory of a former champion dancer was special. I used this money to compete at the World Championships in Dunoon.
Outside of dancing, I am also a piper. I began at 8 years of age under the instruction of my late uncle, Andrew Bonar. When Uncle Andrew’s health declined, I began taking instruction from Zephan Knichel. As well, I joined the Robert Malcolm Memorial Pipe Band and thus began my pipe band experiences, beginning with instructor Derek Milloy —possibly the most patient man on the planet! A highlight occurred in 2023 when RMM III placed 2nd at the World Championships in Glasgow. As a soloist, I compete at the grade one level. In April, I was excited to win the Piobaireachd event at the BCPA Annual Gathering. Currently, I play with Greighlan Crossing Pipe Band under the instruction of Shaunna and
David Hilder — two incredibly kind and dedicated instructors. My goal is to play in a Grade I pipe band and to win the World Championships alongside my bandmates. For now, I am excited for our band to compete this August at the North American Championships in Maxville, Ontario.
Submitted by Evan Jamieson (16 years)

Colleen Mahan Northwest Region 2nd Runner Up 22 & Over

Dance:

Colleen started ballet at 5 years old and Scottish Highland at 8 years old.  Her first competition was the day before her 9^th birthday. Her Teachers are Kiki Bentzen and Inge Merry with the Bentzen School of Highland Dance.

Colleen passed her Scottish Dance Teacher’s Alliance Members exam in March and after she represents the Northwest Region at USIR in Santa Clara, CA, she will be heading to Scotland to perform in the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.  

Drumming:

Colleen started taking bass drum lessons when she was 15 years old with Steve Hutchinson / the Keith Highlanders.  As best we can remember, her first competition was in June 2019.  She plays bass drum with the grade 4 Keith Highlanders Pipe Band.

Colleen has placed 3rd in two bass drum solo competitions: one in California in 2019, and the other in Oregon in 2023.  This past weekend at ScotFestBC, was the first time she has won an individually judged contest.  It was very exciting!

Steve is Colleen’s main teacher, but there have been several other people who have shared knowledge and supported her along the way.  If I were to try to list them all, it would be pretty much every other bands’ midsections.  They are the most wonderful, welcoming and helpful community and she loves them all.

In other news, Colleen just graduated from Western Washington University with a BS in Kinesiology Sport & Exercise Psychology with minors in Psychology and Dance.  She also earned a certificate in Pilates. Submitted by Jan/Colleen Mahon

Shayla MacNeil BC Provincial 2nd Runner Up 16 & 17 Years

I began dancing at the age of four under the guidance of Mary Margaret Manifold, and my journey has brought me to Michele Christie Yonge. In 2022, I won the aggregate award for the Restricted Premier class at the Canadian Championships in Regina.  It helped me recognize what I was capable of and motivated me to keep striving for more. This past March I was proud to be the recipient of the Alan Walters Memorial Trophy presented by the Fraser Valley Highland Dance Association, for having the highest points for a dancer, who is also a piper or drummer through their three competition series.

Coming from a family deeply rooted in the Scottish community, this path has always felt like home. My dad is both a piper and former tenor drummer. My papa is the senior BCPA drum major and former bass drummer, and my grandpa was a piper and past president of the BC Pipers’ Association. My mom and aunt were Highland dancers, and my dad’s sister, my other aunt was both a Highland dancer and a piper. My family has played with all levels of pipe bands from World Champions to local performance bands. Surrounded by this rich legacy, I’ve truly come by it honestly.

With encouragement from a schoolmate, I began snare drumming in 2023 with the White Spot Pipe Band. Although I’m still early in my drumming journey, I’ve had the privilege of learning from incredible instructors including Curt Watts, Kyla MacNeil, Blair Brown, and Kyle Wallis. Their mentorship has been significant in shaping the drummer I am today and aspire to become.

In 2024, I was honoured to be named the BC Pipers Drum Pad Aggregate Winner. While I haven’t yet had the opportunity to focus on solo drumming this year, I’m looking forward to participating in the mini gatherings this fall.

I’m deeply grateful for the support and encouragement I’ve received from so many people.  It has meant more than I can express. Thanks to them, I’m proud to be living my dream of representing British Columbia at the Canadian Championships this year. Submitted by Shayla MacNeil

Best of luck from the BC Pipers’ Association

To all the hard working pipers & drummers, who are also busy competing in Highland dancing this Summer, we salute your dedication, determination, and passion. The hard work you’ve put in to get here is already a huge achievement and reward itself. Now’s the time to shine – give it everything you’ve got, do your best, and most importantly, soak in every moment! These are the memories and experiences that will stay with you for life.

All the very best… “gie it laldy!”

The BC Pipers’ Association