About Kelly
About Kelly Buckley
Background and Experience
Kelly started her journey as a Highland dancer at the age of six and progressed to playing the bagpipes in the early 1970’s. She studied primarily under the direction of the late Sandy Keith, Ken Eller and Bob Worrall.
She competed in solo competition to the Open / Professional level throughout Canada and the USA acquiring several awards including North American Championship and Champion Supreme.
She also competed with several pipe bands including Erskine in Hamilton, Western Reserve from Ohio, RCAF in Downsview, Hamilton Police, Niagara Regional Police, Braemar, Dofasco and the “not so famous” Buckley’s Distillery Pipe Band. (There’s a story!)
Over the years, Kelly has piped at numerous weddings, funerals, various social events, concerts and benefits.
Kelly has taught individuals and conducted group lessons beginning in the 1970’s.
Dancing and piping afforded Kelly the opportunity to compete, perform or instruct in Michigan, California, Nevada, Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Georgia, New York, Nova Scotia, PEI, Quebec, throughout Ontario and ultimately in Scotland. She has retired from competition and has expanded her involvement in various performances.
Concerts, Tattoos & Celtic Festivals:
- Concert at Roy Thompson Hall with RCAF Pipe Band & Brass Band
- Concert at Hamilton Place with the Erskine Pipe Band
- Roselawn Theatre, Buffalo Theatre and Bethany Community Church with the Mandolin Orchestra of Niagara
- Half-Time Show For Hamilton Tiger Cats with Niagara Regional Police Pipe Band
- Toronto CNE World Festival Tattoo
- Edinburgh Castle, Scotland
- Stone Mountain Tattoo in Atlanta, Georgia
- Tattoo in Kitchener, Ontario
- Mumford Celtic Festival
- Edinburgh Celtic Festival
- Summerside Highland Games in PEI with McPherson’s Rant
- Fort Erie Celtic Festival
- Grape & Wine Festival
Most Memorable Moments & Accomplishments
- Won 2nd at the World Championships while playing with Niagara Regional Police Pipe Band
- Completed four trips to Scotland to compete at the World Championships
- Piped for such dignitaries as Lieutenant Governor Lincoln Alexander and Astronaut Chris Hadfield
- Several awards for solo and band competition including the Fergus Highland Games and the North American Championships at the Maxville Highland Games
- Consistent winner of Champion Supreme in solo competition during competitive years
- Played with McPherson’s Rant as back up band for The Irish Descendants
- Pipe Major of the Not So Famous Buckley’s Distillery…. it is a story in itself.
- TV appearance in the Kitchener / Cambridge area to promote the Kitchener tattoo.
- Radio spot - "Marry Me Archie" on Indy 88.
Charitable Donations, Benefits & Volunteer Performances
- Piping lessons donated to the St. Catharines Rotary TV Auction
- Robbie Burns-Benefits for Breast Cancer with McPherson’s Rant
- Hip Hip Hurrah-Easter Seals
- Relay for Life-Cancer Society
- Volunteered with District School Board of Niagara - Demonstration of Various Instruments
- Volunteered with Catholic School Board of Brant County - Demonstration of Various Instruments
- Rotary Club of St. Catharines
- Niagara Peninsula Homes with McPherson’s Rant
- Niagara Woman's Enterprise Centre - Graduations
- Remembrance Day and Flag Day Ceremonies - Branch 24
Accompaniments:
- Member of the Celtic-Folk group McPherson’s Rant
- The Mandolin Orchestra of Niagara
- RCAF Brass Band
- Vox Violin
- Church Organists
- Rock Bands
- Tomi Swick (Juno Award Winner)
CDs:
- Out of the Mist — Niagara Regional Police & Vox Violin
- Passion for Piping CD
- Mandolin Orchestra of Niagara CD
- McPherson's Rant Recordings
Professional Bagpiping services since 1979.
CONTACT
St. Catharines, Ontario
Canada
kellyjbuckley@hotmail.com
905-937-4196