The Ottawa Highlanders Pipes and Drums have announced Andrea Boyd as new Pipe Major of its Grade Three competitive pipe band. Born and raised in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Andrea grew up in a family and community with a strong history of piping, drumming, and successful competitive pipe bands. She began piping at the age of nine, receiving tuition from Scott Williams, John Walsh, Bruce Gandy, Robert Wallace, Terry Tully and Willie McCallum.
Andrea began her pipe band career with the Antigonish Highland Society Pipe Band, from 1994-2001. She then 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. She returned to Canada in 2012 and was a member of the Ottawa Police Service Pipe Band from 2013-2017. Her 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 the Gold Medal (Canada) at the Glengarry Highland Games in 2017. She has been placed twice in the Gold Medal at the Argyllshire Gathering.
This past summer, Andrea was awarded professional piper of the day at the Georgetown, Cambridge, and Glengarry Highland Games in Ontario, and took prizes at the Skye Gathering in Scotland.
Andrea recently returned to live and work in Ottawa, and is thrilled to be back in the thriving community of piping and drumming in Eastern Ontario. On joining her new band, Andrea said: “I am delighted to be back in Ottawa, joining a group of passionate musicians and friends. I am looking forward to being back on the field with a band, leading the OHPD in 2023.”
OHPD’s Lead Drummer Mark Passmore stated that he is: “Extremely thrilled to be working side by side with a class act like Andrea, creating great music with great people – it’s what it’s all about – and super excited for this opportunity for piping and drumming in Eastern Ontario.”
The OHPD was formed in 2017, winning the North American Championship that year and has since then competed at the Grade three level. In 2022, the band enjoyed much success winning all Highland Games attended, including once again being named North American Champions at the Glengarry Highland Games.
