 Larry Barr, Pipe Corporal Bio not yet available...
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 David Comoletti, Piper Bio not yet available...
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 Rob Gribbroek, Piper Rob Gribbroek has been playing the bagpipe since
1996, and encourages anyone else to if you have ever had the desire. He says it's
not that hard (HA HA HA HA). His day job is head publications designer for Florida Tech.
He has two wonderful sons, Matthew and Mitchell. Sometimes they carry the banner for
the band. Mitchell wants to someday play the drums and Matthew wants to play the pipes in
the band. Rob's family lives in beautiful Sebastian along the Indian River. He loves gardening as well and is presently
reforesting his yard. Some say he over plants - actually he says he needs the extra oxygen
to play the pipes. |
 Danny Kelley, Snare Drum Danny started drumming in his elementary school band at 10 years old. He is now a teenager and has expanded his drumming interests to include a variety of percussive instruments, as well as the fiddle and brass. Danny moved to Florida from Illinois in 2000, and was naturally attracted to the Band through encouragement of members George Bell and Peter Wells. He has a good bit of Scottish blood and feels that his heritage added to the desire to join the band. Another talent Danny has developed in support of his heritage is his self-taught dancing of popular Scottish jigs, and he performs them in concert with the band. He is very active in the Rockledge High School Marching and Symphonic Bands, and is equally caught up in the Scottish style of snare drumming afforded by our band. Danny thoroughly enjoys drumming, is quick to share his skills with other and firmly believes and demonstrates with enthusiasm that; "Percussion is a great and a needed part of any band". |
 Andrew McNabb, Snare Drum Andrew McNabb was born and raised in Denver, Colorado. His Scottish family tree has roots and branches in many places, but mostly in Killin, Scotland. He attended the University of Colorado, then Regents University in New York, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Eastern European Studies. His drumming avocation began at the 'tender' age of 22 as a new and eager member of the Colorado Irish Pipes and Drums... one of a kind in Colorado. Drumming instruction was gleaned from fellow band members, and a variety of workshops and seminars conducted by drum instructors of national acclaim. Andy had to put his drumming on hold due to an 'appointment' with the U.S. Navy in 1993. Following several years in the service he moved to Florida in 2002, and was able to rejoin the Scottish drumming world through the Melbourne Pipes and Drums that same year. His calm and competent approach to Scottish snare drumming has significatly contributed to the enhancement of the band's Drum Corps. Andy is presently a Senior Airman with the U.S. Air Force Reserve, stationed at Patrick Air Force Base. He is an avid hiker and backpacker, and loves the outdoors and videogames. His wife Suzy is very tolerant of all the drumming! |
Brian Nelsen, Piper Brian Nelsen was born in Highland, New York... a fitting hometown for someone destined for piping. In 1985, at age 11, he moved with his family to Altamonte Springs, Florida. Following middle schooling he graduated from Lyman High School in nearby Longwood. Brian attended Florida Southern College, and then Lake City Community College where he graduated in 1999, with an Associate of Science Degree in Golf Course Operations. He is presently employed as the golf course superintendent at Penbrook Fairways in Leesburg. Brian's Dad was his early inspiration for getting involved with pipe bands. Dad was a pipe band percussionist in New York, and later drummed with the highly popular Rosie O'Grady's Highlanders of Orlando. However, Brian opted for piping instead of drumming because his dad counseled, "Play the pipes, there's no money in drumming." A stirring performance by the Melbourne Pipes and Drums caught Brian's eye, and he became a member of the pipe corps in 2002. He regularly performs with the band in community performances, and at solo competitions throughout Florida. His favorite pipe tune is "Journey to Skye," and his choice piobaireachd is "Lament the Children." Brian is a bachelor and currently resides in Eustis. His hobbies include: golf (of course), reading and naturally... piping. |
 Rob Thierfelder, Piper Bio not yet available... |
 Peter Wells, Piper Peter Wells' father is from Motherell
Scotland so he definitely believes piping is in his blood. He started learning the pipes
at the age of 12 and joined The City of Melbourne Pipes and Drums in early 2000.
Peter says that "Piping with this band has been a wonderful learning
experience. I look forward to piping for many years to come with them." |
 Jim Connor, Piper Bio not yet available... |
 Bruce Crocker, Piper Bruce Crocker was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and moved to Sanford, Florida, while a youngster in the early 1940s. Following 1959 graduation from Seminole High School in Sanford, he enlisted while still age 17 in the US Navy. Bruce's naval career spanned 20 years of service, and his professionalism was acknowledged by numerous commendations and decorations. His primary duty as a flight engineer was an exacting specialty, engaging him in many deployments, including Vietnam and the Mediterranean. Upon his milatary retirement in 1980, Bruce launched yet another career as a certified structural welder. He attended Skigit Community College in Mt. Vernon, Washington, and the University of Hawaii. Bruce returned to Florida "for good" in 1991, and settled in the Atlantic coast town of Vero Beach. brucesaddress @ [NOSPAM] yahoo.com
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 Anne Astley, Pipe Seargent Anne "Annie' Astley began her Scottish trek
as a Highland dancer, then started piping lessons at age fourteen. Her first pipe
band experience was with the St. Andrews Lady's Pipe Band of New England. The
renown, Lezlie Paterson Webster, provided excellent piping instruction to enhance Anne's
progress. Following her high school education, Anne attended harvard University
where she completed her Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1997. That same year, she took up
temporary residence in London, England, and attended workshops at the Piping Center in
Glasgow, Scotland. Anne moved from Boston, Massachusetts, to Florida in 1998, and
launched her professional career. She has taught preschool, high school, tutored
students, worked with social services and coordinated summer arts and culture youth camps
involving hundreds of campers. Anne became a member of the Melbourne Pipes and Drums
in 1999, where her expertise as a piper was recognized and appreciated. She is a
Grade II piper, and holds the rand of Band Pipe Sergeant. Annie continues to tutor
several piping students and convincingly demonstrates that, "Pipes are a meditation
beyond my Scottish ancestry and heritage." |
 Joe Leonard, Drum Major With tenor drumming of the Black Watch (Canada) and drum major tutoring by Bill Elms (Drum Major of the 48th Highlanders of Canada), Joe's career was cut short by answering Uncle Sam's call to prepare for the Korean conflict. Because of a sudden hearing loss, Joe was honorably discharged, and returned to his home in Syracuse, New York, where he joined the American Scottish as a tenor drummer. Joe moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 1958, where he and his brother founded the Phoenix Scots. Later he was founder of the Phoenix Police Pipe Band and the Tempe Police Pipe Band, all still going strong. He is currently a Drum Major of the 42nd Royal Highland Regiment, whose members have Black Watch affiliations, with headquarters on the Queen Mary permanently anchored in Long Beach, California. He attended the George Brown (World Champion) Drum Major School in California, and in 1969-1970, Joe was Champion Tenor and Bass Drum of the Southwest and Pacific Coast. And, winning a few awards in drum major contests. Moving to Florida in 2002, to be with his family, Joe was welcomed by the Melbourne Pipes and Drums. Joe passed away in 2009 and will be sorely missed. |
 Christoph Schutze, Bass Drum Christoph Schutze moved from New London, Connecticut to the Spacecoast of Florida in 1989. During his Cocoa High School years he was very active in a variety of music, athletic, and theatrical events and organizations. And, he found the time to complete the rigorous requirements for Eagle Scout honors while a member of Cocoa B.S.A. Troop 706. Following high school graduation in 2000, Christoph attended Brevard Community College and graduated in 2002 with an Associate of Arts Degree in General Education. he discovered the Melbourne Pipes and Drums in 2003, and rapidly emerged as a major player in the Drum Corps. His spot-on bass drumming approach has greatly facilitated a heightened level of band achievement on the field of competition and general performance. Also, he is making remarkable progress toward tackling the bagpipe 'monster'! His rhythmic grasp of traditional Scottish music has been greatly enhanced by a diversity of personal experiences arising from piano, guitar, and jazz 'sorties.' Christoph is locally employed as a horticultural landscape professional in Brevard County, Florida. |
 John Nisbet, Piper Bio not available... |
