Piping Instructors

Bill | John | Jake | Jason | Lyric | Doug

Jake Watson, piper, originally taught by Ronnie Rollo then Neil Beaton after which he studied under John Wilson for seven years. Jake joined his first competition band, The City of Toronto Pipe Band (grade one) at age 12. Winning all major solo events through the amateur ranks, Jake was moved to open at age 15 and continued to have a successful solo career. Jake then turned all his attention to pipe bands. At age 19 he became Pipe Major of the City of Waterloo Police Pipe Band who, at the time competed at the grade one level. He then became the Pipe Major of a grade two band known as the Niagra and District Pipe Band and brought them to grade one. After taking a two year sabbatical, in 1984 Jake joined the ranks of the 78th Fraser Highlanders Pipe Band and went on to win the World Championship in 1987. Jake was then offered the Pipe Majorship of the Metro Toronto Police Pipe Band who under his direction won the Ontario Champion Supreme award in 1993,95 & 96 and the North American Championship in 1996. In 1997 Jake was welcomed back with open arms to the ranks of the 78th Frasers. Jake is now working full time as a reed maker and professional piping instructor and adjudicator.