Graham Highlanders Instructors

Derek Davidson - Piping

Derek began piping at the age of 10. His first instructer was John Crawley, who received his training at the College of Piping in Glasgow, Scotland. He also received band and solo instruction from Noel Slagle, former Pipe Sergeant of the Clan McFarlane Pipe Band, St. Catherines, Ontario (former world caliber Grade I Band during the 1970’s and 1980’s). Additionally, solo instruction was received from Scot Walker, open piper and adjudicator for the Eastern United States Pipe Band Association (EUSPBA).

Derek has competed successfully in individual competitions up to the Grade I Amatueur level, winning prizes in both the United States and Canada. He has a strong interest in band development, and band competitions, having belonged to the Western Reserve Pipe Band of Cleveland, OH (1970’s - 1980’s) and the Lehigh Valley Pipe Band of Allentown, PA (1989 - 1998). Both bands originated from street band and competed through the lower grades (IV, III) and achieved championship status as Grade II bands.

He has competed with the successful Grade II Worcester Kiltie Pipe Band, MA. During the Summer of 2001, Derek began providing instruction to the Boston Police Gaelic Column Pipe Band and became the lead instructor for a piping program with the Worcester School System. He is also a staff member at the Balmoral School of Piping and Drumming, which is held at various locations in the nation each summer. His driving desire is to focus more personal effort on the study of the instrument, becoming a better player, and sharing the knowledge and skills with others.

Heather Morris - Highland Dance

Heather began dancing and performing with the St. Andrew’s Highland Dancers of Vermont at the age of 7. From 1980-1990 she competed in Beginner through Premier levels in the United States, Canada & Scotland. During that time she took exams at the amateur level with an examiner from Scotland through the Scottish Dancer Teachers’ Alliance.

From 1990 – 1994 Heather led the Scottish dancers at the College of Wooster (BA Russian Studies), Wooster, Ohio as Head Dancer.
Heather has also performed with Something Scottish Highland Dancers and the Washington Scottish Pipe Band, both based in Washington, DC, at such venues as the National Cathedral, the Potomac Celtic Festival and National Tartan Day.

A full Member of both the Scottish Dancer Teachers’ Alliance (SDTA) and the British Association of Teachers of Dancer (BATD), Heather teaches in Burlington, Richmond and St. Johnsbury, Vermont. She trains her students for local performances, national and international competitions and examinations.

Merle Haskins - Faculty Advisor