Leonard grew up in rural Manitoba and came to BC in 1965. He was involved in the airline/travel business until 1984 when he started up a marketing/consulting company; fully retiring in 2014. Leonard has been involved with several charities as a board member and assisted with fundraising campaigns. In 2017 Leonard began volunteering for the DPPB because it is a great fun-loving bunch to be around and he admires the dedication involved of the band members. In 2019 Leonard became an auxiliary member assisting with activities and events associated with DPPB.
Randall St. Godard
Auxiliary
Randall’s roots with the pipe band go back to attending many Burns dinners in the 80’s as his Dad, Ed St. Godard played in the tenor section. Through the 1990’s with Randall’s assistance, the band gained access to casino/gaming funding for over 10 years. More recently, as an Associate Band Member, he was part of the planning committee that orchestrated and delivered the DPPB Celtic Gala Concert fund raiser in October 2019. At the spry age of 66, Randall is also attempting to follow the path his Dad travelled for over 30 years, as an aspiring tenor drummer.
Trevor Black
Auxiliary
After retiring from the Vancouver Police Department Trevor worked for the RCMP’s Integrated Security Unit for the 2010 Olympics. This was a group of twelve similarly retired police officers from various departments, four of whom were members of the DPPB! Trevor attended his first ever Burns Supper that year and thought it was fantastic! Being handy with a camera, Trevor quickly became the official DPPB photographer. Trevor was then recruited to emcee the Burns Suppers. Trevor has been the band’s emcee and photographer for many years now and says it would make his Scottish Mum very happy.
Neil Dubord
Chief Constable
Jonesy Wu
Piper
A professional musician before settling in Canada, Jonesy enjoys the pipes because they are like his first instrument, the suona, which looks similar to a pipe chanter. Jonesy started piping in 2001 with Milton Cameron, and joined the JP Fell Pipe Band shortly thereafter. He joined DPPB in 2009, and enjoys how the band has always been welcoming and supportive. Favorite moments include DPPB’s many international performances, playing for Queen Elizabeth II, Sir Paul McCartney, and playing suona with the Red Hot Chilli Pipers.
Ken Wright
Piper
Ken started learning the pipes at the age of 12 with the Boys Brigade in Glasgow. A period of hiatus followed as he studied for an engineering degree. As a surprise birthday gift, his wife gave him a practice chanter which provided the impetus to take up the pipes again. He joined the North Bay Pipe Band in 1975 until moving to the west coast in 1981. A work colleague introduced him to the Delta Police band in 1983. Highlights include the Edinburgh international tattoo knowing relatives were in the audience and playing with Sir Paul McCartney.
Jim Wishlove
Piper
Jim started piping as an adult learner because of his family’s history of Scottish service in the military and his time as a Seaforth Highlander. He is one of the founding members of the Richmond Fire-Rescue Pipe Band and joined the DPPB in 2006. Jim enjoys the excellent camaraderie, the collection of incredibly positive people, and the supportive friendships he has created. A favorite memory for Jim is playing the lone piper at the Menin Gate ceremony in September in 2015. Jim currently serves as a deputy fire chief for the Richmond Fire-Rescue department.
David Trotter
Piper
Dave's biography is coming soon. Please stay tuned!
Keith Thomson
Piper
Keith’s father, Jamie, is a piper in the band and forced Keith to learn bagpipes against his will (or so the story goes.) Before joining the DPPB in 2009, Keith piped with the White Spot Pipe Band and the Seaforth Cadets. Favorite band moments include the Basel Tattoo and playing with Sir Paul McCartney.
Jamie Thomson
Piper
Jamie grew up with pipe music in his house but got the call to pipe in 1983 while watching his daughter highland dance. He joined the DPPB that same year and has often commuted from a distance due to his work life. Jamie describes the band as home, a true gift, and family. His son Keith also pipes in the band. Jamie has performed in all the DPPB highlight reel performances but recalls playing in Westville, Nova Scotia when the whole county crammed the streets clapping and yelling and were honoured as hero’s at the fire hall.
Ray Tessier
Piper
An accomplished jazz and classic rock bass guitar player, Ray began piping in 2008 having been exposed to pipes throughout his career as a CAF member. After piping with a few local bands, Ray joined the DPPB in 2012 because he heard about the camaraderie and how supportive the band is musically and emotionally. Ray’s favorite moment was his first band trip performing in the ‘Music Parade’ throughout Germany. Ray is a licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer currently teaching in the AME program at BCIT.
Jim Tait
Side Drummer
James, a father of 3, discovered his love for the pipe band snare drumming in 1968 while participating as a cadet at the Vernon Army Camp. He also played with the British Ex Serviceman Pipe Band, the Vancouver Police pipe band before joining the DPPB in 2003. James enjoys he camaraderie and socialization with his band mates, the feeling of brotherhood/sisterhood and the high standard of being well organized and well-rehearsed. His most memorable moments include performing with Sir Paul McCartney and trips to Holland and Virginia to play in Tattoos.
Richard Ryan
Tenor Drummer
Richard's biography is coming soon. Please stay tuned!
Steve Ramsden
Piper
Steve is the current Pipe Major for the DPPB. He began piping at 9 years old with the White Spot Pipe Band. Steve also competed with the Triumph Street Pipe Band before joining DPPB in 1983; a natural move since he is a retired Delta Police Staff Sergeant. Piping highlights include the Intercontinental Pipe Band Championships placing 4th with Triumph Street and winning the Cutty Sark award for best Canadian Pipe Band, the Edinburgh Tattoo with the DPPB marching out onto the esplanade for the first time alongside the Scots Guards, and 3 on-stage performances with Sir Paul McCartney.
David Orr
Piper
Ever since he was young, Dave loved the sound of the bagpipes and knew one day he would be a piper. His dream happened in 1996 when he met pipe teacher Kathleen Nicholson Graham. Dave piped with the Langley Legion Pipe Band and joined the DPPB in 2008. Dave loves the comradery of the pipe band as well as the privilege of representing the Delta community around the world. His favorite memories with the band include piping in Basel Switzerland, as well as playing on stage with Sir Paul McCartney. Dave sings and is one of the DPPB’s “Deltones.”
Brian Northam
Side Drummer
Brian's biography is coming soon. Please stay tuned!
Toner Nailen
Side Drummer
Toner's biography is coming soon. Please stay tuned!
Ron McMillan
Drum Major
Ron is an Instructor of Business Intelligence Technology at BCIT. He grew up in Victoria with the ever-present sound of the pipes and the Highland Games. He played percussion through high school but playing in a pipe band was a lifelong aspiration. He joined the DPPB in 2017 and is proud to be a part of this group of exceptional musicians. His first tattoo in Basel, Switzerland in 2018 was a great honour and a lifelong memory.
Ron McLaren
Piper
Ron started piping in 1984 with the Seaforth Association Pipe Band but later that year switched to the DPPB at the urging of a neighbour. Ron felt immediately welcomed to the band, even as a beginner piper, with the spirit of friendship and supportive attitude making him proud to be part of the DPPB. It is almost impossible for Ron to distill the numerous ‘once in a lifetime moments’ in his time with the band, but would rank performing in the Edinburgh Tattoo in 1994, and three performances with Paul McCartney as being at the top of the list.
Marsh McCallum
Piper
After years of learning pipes on his own, Marsh took his love for piping to a new level and found an instructor. Finding the competitive pipe band schedule conflicted with family life, Marsh decided to explore the DPPB in 2010. He discovered playing with a large group that is appreciated by the public is very satisfying. Marsh enjoys the Robbie Burn’s Suppers with the work that goes into the event and how well it is received by the community. Marsh is a leader on the band’s tuning team and is key to the band’s awesome sound.
Taryn Marcotte
Side Drummer
During a jam session at her parents’ home, Taryn became enamoured with drumming. Taryn immediately set aside her banjo, mandolin, trumpet and piano for drumming. In her teens Taryn played with the Red and White Aires All-girl Drum and Bugle Corps and was lead drummer for the combined Air Cadet Band. She has also played kit drum with several entertainment and dance bands. Upon moving to BC, Taryn joined the DPPB in 2006 and is the band’s first female member. Taryn cannot pick a highlight because she loves everything about the DPPB, especially the people.
Barry Mann
Tenor Drummer
Barry became involved in the local Scottish community when his two boys began piping and drumming with the White Spot Pipe Band. As a ‘band parent’, he helped with band logistics and eventually became WSPB President in 2005 when they competed in Scotland. As a Vancouver Police Detective/Pilot, Barry heard that the DPPB wanted to form a colour guard so he joined in 2014 and performed with the DPPB in the 2015 St. Patrick’s Day Parade and the Rotterdam Tattoo. Barry started learning tenor drum and is now a tenor drummer and the band’s Quartermaster.
Jerome Malysh
Piper
Jerome's biography is coming soon. Please stay tuned!
Don MacPherson
Piper
Don's biography is coming soon. Please stay tuned!
Tiffany MacNeil-Daniel
Piper
Tiffany's biography is coming soon. Please stay tuned!
Ian MacDonald
Piper
Ian is a retired High school administrator. Being a MacDonald, he always had learning to play bagpipes on his bucket list. Upon retirement, Ian was excited to begin his piping journey. Ian joined the DPPB in 1997 and quickly found the band members to be very encouraging and supportive. Highlights for Ian include the many travel experience to International Tattoos but he especially enjoyed playing at Edinburgh Castle because his dad was in the Scots Guards.
Grant Laporte
Piper
Grant's biography is coming soon. Please stay tuned!
Hugh Jack
Piper
Hugh began piping in 1949 at the age of 10 with the "262, Boys Brigade" in Glasgow with Robert Read as his instructor. He quit piping to play guitar but the pipes called to him again many years later. Hugh immigrated to Canada in 1964 with his wife Carol. He has played with many bands over the years, joining the DPPB in 2014. Hugh enjoys the DPPB’s fun social activities and International travel. Memorable experiences include playing with Sir Paul McCartney and the Chieftains, competing four times at the World Pipe Band Championships and being a Canadian Grade 4 Champion.
Ron Henze
Tenor Drummer
As a young man Ron served with the Canadian Armed Forces. He joined the Surrey Fire Department in 1980 retiring in 2011 with the rank of Captain. His musical career started in the 70’s playing trumpet with the Vancouver Beefeater Marching Band, but his passion for music was realized when he joined the DPPB in 2012. Ron also enjoys playing bass drum with the Surrey Firefighters’ Pipe Band. The camaraderie, fun and friendships formed with band members, combined with performing beautiful music, always brings pleasure and enjoyment for Ron. DPPB highlight was performing with Sir Paul McCartney.
Bruce Harborne
Piper
Bruce is retired from a 30+ year career in Information Technology. With Scottish musicians in the family, Bruce started piping in 2004 joining JP Fell Pipe Band. He joined DPPB in 2017 at the urging of a friend and fellow DPPB piper. Even though Bruce finds the music a bit of a challenge due to dyslexia, he finds the band’s comradery helps him step up his musicianship. Playing for Queen Elizabeth II and the Royal Family at Balmoral Castle and attending Remembrance Day Services in the Netherlands are highlights for Bruce.
Greg Hall
Bass Drummer
Gregor was born in Inverness later moving to London to join the Metropolitan Police. He immigrated to Vancouver in 1972 joining the Delta Police and the DPPB. Gregor started learning pipes but switched to the drum section where he was appointed lead side drummer for several years. He then had an opportunity to play bass drum; a position he still holds today. Gregor has been with the band 47 years and still enjoys playing and the camaraderie the band provides. Favorite moments include marching across the drawbridge at the Edinburgh Tattoo and playing with Sir Paul McCartney.
Steve Fudge
Bass Drummer
Steve is a retired Vancouver Police Sergeant with 32 years of service and 10 years civilian service with the RCMP. Previous bands include the STMS Irish Fusilier Army Cadet Band and the Vancouver Police Pipe Band where he participated in the 50th anniversary of the Edinburgh Tattoo. Steve joined the DPPB in 2005 and has travelled extensively performing in numerous parades and Tattoos. His favorite moments include playing for Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle and performing on stage with Sir Paul McCartney. Steve enjoys the camaraderie and the lifelong friends that he has met in the DPPB.
Cliff Fournier
Piper
Cliff began piping at 8 years old after listening to a piping recital in Victoria, his Mom wanted a piper in the family. Cliff started with the White Spot Pipe Band and played with several other bands before joining the DPPB in 2001. Cliff was Pipe Major for the DPPB between 2015-2017. Favorite moments include having his son, Matt, join the band as a drummer and travelling together to the Basil tattoo and being on-stage with Sir Paul McCartney as Pipe Major. Cliff enjoys the band for its comradery and inclusiveness, everyone is involved and helps out.
Bev Evans
Side Drummer
Music has always been a part of Bev’s life. At fourteen Bev joined the North Vancouver Navy League Wrenette Corps and worked her way up to lead drummer. Bev then took a break from drumming, picking up her sticks again, in 2008 joining the Kimberley Pipe Band. She was a KPB member for 5 years until moving back to the lower mainland, where she joined the DPPB (2014). Bev loves drumming and thoroughly enjoys being a member of DPPB.
Jeff Cruickshank
Tenor Drummer
Jeff retired in 2010 after a career with the Ports Canada Police and the BC welfare fraud investigations. He has been married for 47 years with two daughters and four grandchildren. After an injury forced Jeff to end an unsuccessful beer hockey league career, friends persuaded him to join the DPPB where he became a member in 2000. Jeff has served on the band executive and is currently the Event Manager. Highlights include 20 years of great camaraderie and fellowship, performing at the 2001 Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, the 2010 Windsor Castle Royal Military Tattoo and with Sir Paul McCartney.
Laura Cooper
Tenor Drummer
Laura is a retired medical and environmental Anthropologist. She began drumming in 2007 playing alongside her sister and youngest son in the Kimberley Pipe Band then, joining the DPPB in 2018 when she relocated to the lower mainland. Laura loves the band’s camaraderie and commitment to serving the community. A favourite pipe band moment was in 2010 when Laura was asked to write the tenor drum scores for the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo, and then performed with the massed pipes and drums. Laura is gramma to four grandchildren, loves paddle boarding with her dog, camping and fishing.
Alan Cochrane
Side Drummer
Growing up in Northern Ireland, Alan’s association with drumming started back in the 1960’s playing with his father in the town’s silver band. Alan immigrated to Canada in 1972 and settled in BC in 1978. While walking his dog, Alan met Brian Northam who invited Alan to drop by practice and meet the band. A little rusty, Alan has stuck with it due to the encouragement of the band members who work hard but also have fun. Alan is impressed with how the DPPB takes pride in dressing, deportment and sounds.
Rick Carswell
Piper
Rick is a retired RCMP officer with 31 years of service. He started piping in 2009 because he wanted to keep his mind engaged while moving into retirement. Rick joined the DPPB in 2018 as a standard bearer with the intention of moving into the piping ranks. The band has been very welcoming and he enjoys the community and international events the DPPB attends. So far Rick’s best band moment was marching out and piping with the band at the 2019 Burns Dinner. There are many more DPPB events in your future Rick!
Jim Campbell
Piper
Jim is a retired Vancouver Teacher. He had his first chanter lesson in 1968 when a neighbour, and DPPB member, took him to meet the late PM Howard Duncan. Over the years, Jim has piped with many community and competitive bands joining the DPPB In 2014. Jim’s favorite DPPB band moment was the Basel Tattoo in 2018. Jim finds the DPPB very welcoming and makes him feel valued as a member because there is a real sense of fraternity/sorority in the band. Jim recently became a grandfather of Connor Campbell on February 2020.
Iver Cameron
Side Drummer
Iver began drumming in 1957 with Cointon and Currie Pipe Band which is the oldest civilian, non-military pipe band in Scotland. Iver also drummed with the Lake Superior Scottish and Penticton City Pipe Bands joining the DPPB in 2000. He enjoys travelling with the DPPB and belonging to a band without the pressure of competing. Iver’s most memorable musical moments include winning Grade 3 Drumming at the prestigious Cowal Games and marching thru Dunoon with the trophy, playing in the opening of the Edinburgh Tattoo and with Sir Paul McCartney.
Bill Bennett
Piper
Billy started piping to celebrate his Scottish heritage. After piping with several other bands, he joined the DPPB 2008 because he would see the DPPB at parades, loved the look and knew the band would improve his piping. Billy’s favorite DPPB experience is piping in the Basel Tattoo partly because it was his first experience ‘of that sort’ but also because the whole trip was amazing. Billy finds all band performances have their own experience because the DPPB is fun. Billy’s other interests include getting away in his motorhome and fishing.
Colin Barrett
Piper
Colin began piping in high school with St. Thomas More and played in several bands through the years. Colin joined the DPPB in 1991 and immediately saw the comradery between members and how the band is always moving toward new goals. Colin’s favorite moments include performing in the Edinburgh Tattoo, the Windsor Tattoo before the Royal family, piping on stage with Sir Paul McCartney and being the solo piper for the finale of the Rotterdam Tattoo. Colin has also been a living history re-enactor at Fort Langley since 1984. He and his wife raised 5 children and have 4 grandchildren.
Colin Abel
Piper
Colin started on the chanter at the age of eight with Malcolm Nicholson. Over the years he has played with many local pipe bands. Colin joined the DPPB in 1991 and ten years later became the temporary reluctant Pipe Major; a rank that lasted for ten years! Colin has met Queen Elizabeth II and the Royal family three times; as an RCMP bodyguard in 1983, at the Balmoral Highland Games and the Windsor Castle Tattoo. Highlights for Colin include winning the Cowal Championship with Vancouver Kiwanis, marching through the gates of Edinburgh Castle and playing with Sir Paul McCartney.
Jack Mellis
Piper
Jack started piping in 1975 because his parents are from Scotland. He was in the Seaforth Highlanders as a soldier and served 38 years in the RCMP. After piping in several other community pipe bands, Jack joined the DPPB in 1988 and has stayed because of the camaraderie. Favorite moments include piping in the Edinburgh Tattoo in 1988 and 1994 with the rush of marching and piping through the castle gates onto the esplanade. Jack is a proud grandpa and sings with the DPPB’s “Deltones.”
Joanna Stefani
Piper
Joanna moved from Nova Scotia to BC in 2012 where she took up the bagpipes. She piped with the Cedar Hills Caledonian Pipe Band before she moved to Tsawwassen and joined the DPPB. Joanna loves the community feeling of the band, that she gets to give back to her adopted community and enjoys being involved with the annual Burns dinner as a piper and dancer. Joanna keeps busy with her young children and dog Fundy. Joanna and her husband Ryan are paramedics with BC Ambulance Service. She also pipes in the Ambulance Paramedics BC Ceremonial Unit.
Moe Coll
Piper
Moe is a retired Vancouver Police Officer. In 1975 he joined the Vancouver Police Pipe Band playing tenor and bass drums. He later took up piping and has piped with JP Fell and Seattle Police Pipe Bands; joining the DPPB in 2002. Moe enjoys the non-competitive, inclusive teamwork and fun social environment the band provides. Moe’s favourite band moments include performing with Sir Paul McCartney, meeting Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip when playing at the Windsor Castle tattoo, participating in over 25 Military Tattoos, and networking with other pipe bands worldwide.
Gary Brookes
Piper
Gary’s grandfather, mentioned in the book, “BC Pioneer Pipers”, gave him a chanter when he was eleven years old but it wasn’t until 2002 that Gary started piping. Gary piped with the JP Fell Pipe Band before joining the DPPB in 2004. Gary contributes to the band as President which he finds rewarding, noting with pride at how the members really contribute their time for the love of music and camaraderie. Memorable moments include playing for Queen Elizabeth II at the Windsor Castle Royal Tattoo and accompanying Sir Paul McCartney’s on-stage playing Mull of Kintyre!
Corey Tillyer
Piper
With the encouragement of her grandfather, Corey started piping when she was 11 years old. She has piped with several competition bands and has competed at the World Pipe Band Championships winning Grade 3 with the Vancouver Ladies and placing 6th and 7th in Grade 2 with New Westminster Police. Corey joined the DPPB in 2012 and loves the balance of community, service, camaraderie, commitment and fun the band provides. Her favorite piping moments include winning at the World’s, playing for Prince Charles and Lady Diana, and meeting Sir Paul McCartney before playing on stage with him and the DPPB.
DPPB Website
