About Graham
Graham was born in London, UK and began piping at age seven. After being taught the basics by his father, he received instruction from Pipe Major J.S. Roe, 1st Battalion Scots Guards.
On moving to Dunkeld, Scotland in 1985, Graham became a student of PM J.W. Nicol, formally of the Yorkshire Police. Following this, Graham received instruction from world champion solo piper Murray Henderson and soon became a consistent prizewinner on the 18 & under solo competition circuit. Graham also spent time at the College of Piping in Glasgow under Angus J. MacLellan and PM Angus MacDonald.
After taking a break from piping to study at Stirling University, Graham took a different direction and spent two years playing around Europe with the Scottish Folk/Rock band Wolfstone. Following this he joined singer/songwriter Dougie MacLean’s band and played pipes and Low whistle on Dougie’s critically acclaimed orchestral album “Perthshire Amber” Graham performed the piece live with the band and the BT String Ensemble at Blair Castle and the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. Other recordings featuring Graham include Maclean’s “Who am I” album, Hamish Moore's The Piper and the Maker, Greentrax, Gaelic singer Maggie MacInnes's: “Eileann Mara” album and Lars Lilholt Celtic Band: “The Best Of” album, Denmark. Radio play includes a live performance on Fiona Ritchie’s Thistle & Shamrock program on NPR.
Graham on stage with Wolfstone (1997)
Upon moving to the US in 2001, after a seven-year absence from competitive piping, Graham again began playing the solo competition circuit. In addition to his private teaching, he is a regular instructor at The Gaelic College of Celtic Arts & Crafts in Nova Scotia and has taught Border Pipes and Small Pipes at The Piper’s Gathering in Vermont and at the Hamish Moore Small Pipe School, also in Vermont. Graham moved back to Scotland in 2008 and lives in Dunkeld, Perthshire.
Graham on stage at the 2004 Piper's Gathering, North Hero, Vermont
Image courtesy of The Piper's Gathering
Graham’s competitive achievements include:
*Winner of the Piobaireachd Society Gold Medal Canada 2005, Maxville, Ontario
*1st Professional Piobaireachd at Chicago Highland Games 2004 & 2005
*1st Professional Piobaireachd at Ohio Scottish Games 2000, 2003, 2004 & 2005
*1st MacGregor Memorial Piobaireachd (amateur) Oban, Scotland. Youngest player ever to win this event at age 14
*1st Highland Club Piobaireachd (amateur) London, England. Youngest player ever to win this event at age 14
*Also a member of the Vale of Atholl Juvenile Pipe Band in 1993 when they won the British, Scottish, Cowal and World Championships
In 2005 & 2006 Graham organised and ran the musical and logistical side of the "Great Lakes Superior Piping Challenge" held in Traverse City, Michigan. Graham was also responsible for the names and concepts of the three contests making up the "GLSPC" - "United States Prize Pipe", "Henderson Challenge" and "Great Lakes Young Piper of the Year". Iain Macey was head Judge and Musical Advisor. Henderson's & D. Naill & Co. provided the prizes.
Graham aged 16. Larger trophies were won in the same year (1991) including the ram head snuff mull from the Highland Club Piobaireachd at the Highland Society of London's competition.