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Adrian Melvin (Piping Judge - Friday Night MSR & HJ / Saturday Solos and Bands)
Adrian Melvin is an internationally respected bagpiper, reed maker, instructor, and adjudicator originally from Dundee, Scotland, now based in Raleigh, North Carolina. A World Pipe Band Champion with the Victoria Police Pipe Band and former member of several elite Grade 1 bands, now with Saint Thomas Alumni, Adrian is recognized globally for both top-level competitive success and his handcrafted Melvin Reeds, trusted by pipers worldwide. He combines decades of performance excellence with expert teaching, adjudication, and instrument craftsmanship.
Bruce Gandy (Piping Judge - Friday Night Piobaireachd / Saturday Solos and Bands)
Bruce Gandy is a world-renowned Canadian bagpiper, composer, and educator from Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, celebrated as one of the finest solo pipers of his generation. A double Gold Medalist at both the Northern Meeting and Argyllshire Gathering, he has also enjoyed elite pipe band success as a member of the legendary 78th Fraser Highlanders. Through decades of teaching, composing, and innovation - including his signature instruments and educational programs - Bruce has made an extraordinary impact on the international piping community.
Bob Worrall (Piping Judge - Friday Night Piobaireachd / Saturday Solos and Bands)
Bob Worrall of Burlington, Ontario, is one of North America’s most distinguished bagpipers, educators, composers, and adjudicators. A former seven-time North American Solo Professional Champion and 12-time Ontario Champion Supreme, he also achieved international acclaim with major victories at the Northern Meeting in Inverness, Scotland. Widely respected as a world-class judge, Bob has adjudicated the World Pipe Band Championships 16 times and served for nearly two decades as the BBC’s expert commentator for the event. Through decades of teaching, publishing, and leadership, he has made an extraordinary impact on the global piping community.
Bobby Durning (Piping Judge - Saturday Solos and Bands / Open Competitor Friday Night)
Bobby Durning is a world-class professional bagpiper, instructor, and adjudicator based in Texas, recognized for elite solo competition success across North America and Scotland. A 2022 Piobaireachd Society (Canada) Gold Medalist, he has earned top honors at many of the world's premier piping events and is respected for both ceol mor and light music excellence. In addition to his competitive achievements, Bobby is a sought-after performer, educator, and certified EUSPBA judge dedicated to advancing the art of piping.
Bobby Minnear (Piping Judge - Saturday Solos and Bands)
Bobby Minnear is a highly respected American professional bagpiper, adjudicator, and former Pipe Major of the Atlanta Pipe Band. A distinguished solo competitor, he won the Piobaireachd Society (Canada) Gold Medal in 2022 and has earned major titles across North America while competing regularly at premier events in Scotland. With leadership experience in top North American pipe bands and a strong reputation as an instructor and EUSPBA adjudicator, Bobby is recognized for both musical excellence and dedication to advancing the piping tradition.
Dan Lyden (Piping Judge - Saturday Solos and Bands / Open Competitor Friday Night)
Dan Lyden is an internationally respected professional bagpiper, instructor, and adjudicator from Timonium, Maryland. A former Pipe Major of the Grade 1 City of Washington Pipe Band, he is a highly accomplished solo competitor with major titles across the United States, Canada, and Scotland, including the 2024 Stone Mountain Highland Games Overall Championship and the 2026 North American Silver Medal Ceol Beag Championship. In addition to his competitive success, Dan is a sought-after teacher, experienced judge, and dedicated leader in the piping community, currently serving as Mid-Atlantic Branch Chair of the EUSPBA and Chief Pipe Band Steward for the Colonial Highland Gathering.
Derek Midgley (Piping Judge - Saturday Solos & Bands / Open Competitor Friday Night)
Derek Midgley is an internationally acclaimed professional bagpiper, instructor, and adjudicator based in Tinton Falls, New Jersey. He serves as the President of the Competing Pipers' Association (CPA), making history as the first non-UK resident to lead the organization.
With over 25 years of experience, Derek is one of North America's premier solo competitors. His prestigious international accolades include Scotland's Dunvegan Medal, the Lochaber Axe, and the 2026 United States Gold Medal Piobaireachd at Winter Storm. A veteran of elite Grade 1 pipe bands like ScottishPower and Toronto Police, he has performed for the Royal Family and maintains a busy schedule teaching, judging for the EUSPBA, and performing at high-profile events across the Northeast
Gordon Bell (Snare Drumming Judge - Saturday Solos and Bands)
Gordon Bell is a legendary American snare drummer, instructor, and adjudicator whose influence on pipe band drumming spans decades. Best known for his championship career with the Grade 1 Parlin & District Pipe Band and as a dominant EUSPBA Overall Champion, he remains one of the most respected figures in competitive drumming. Through The Bell School of Piping and Drumming, Gordon continues to shape the next generation of players through elite instruction, workshops, and adjudication.
John Recknagel (Piping Judge - Saturday Solos and Bands))
John Recknagel is a highly respected bagpiper, composer, and adjudicator whose decades-long career has made him a cornerstone of North American piping. A longtime Pipe Major of the Atlanta Pipe Band and former Grade 1 performer with Clan MacFarlane, he is widely recognized for his leadership, musical excellence, and over 40 years of judging experience within the EUSPBA. As the author of The Piper's Helper and a prolific composer, John has also made lasting contributions to piping education and repertoire.
Miles Bennington (Snare Drumming Judge - Saturday Solos and Bands)
His first visit to Stone Mountain, Miles Bennington is a professional snare drummer and educator from Pittsburgh, PA. He received his initial instruction from J. Reid Maxwell and has since competed with numerous top-level bands throughout the United States and Canada, including the Great Lakes, Toronto Police, and St. Thomas Alumni Pipe Bands. As a soloist, Miles has competed across the United States and Canada, culminating in qualifying for the semifinal of The World Solo Drumming Championship in Glasgow. Additionally, Miles has instructed several prize-winning drum corps throughout the northeast and Midwest United States. When not traveling for competition or rehearsal, Miles serves as the principal drumming instructor for the Carnegie Mellon University Pipe Band who, under his guidance, have quickly become one of the premier drumming programs in the eastern United States, including being crowned European Drum Corps Champions in 2025.
Nick Hudson (Piping Judge Saturday Solos and Bands / Open Competitor Friday Night)
Nick Hudson is a world-class professional bagpiper, educator, and one of the most accomplished American pipers of his generation. Based in Houston, Texas, he made history in 2022 as the first American to win the Highland Society of London Gold Medal at the Northern Meeting and has since added major titles including the 2024 Northern Meeting Clasp and Winter Storm Gold Medal Ceol Beag. A Carnegie Mellon University-trained performer, Nick is recognized internationally for both elite competition success and high-profile performances, while also serving as a dedicated instructor and mentor to the next generation of pipers.
Sally Warburton (Bass / Tenor Drumming Judge - Saturday Solos and Bands)
Sally Warburton is a prominent professional bass and tenor drummer, instructor, and judge based in North Carolina. She is a central figure in the North American pipe band community, best known for her long tenure with the Grandfather Mountain Highlanders Pipe Band and her role as an adjudicator for the Eastern United States Pipe Band Association (EUSPBA).
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