Claddagh Pipe Band Members
Members:
Pipe Major
Joe Smolinski
"You're laughing today you'll be crying tomorrow"
Joe founded the band in May 2010. Previously he has played with Bergen Irish PB, Kenmure PB, Clan Na Vale PB, and the West Milford Highlander PB. He is currently a bagpipe instructor for the West Milford Board of Ed. and during the day loves to correct young people on their history trivia. His favorite pipe tune is "the Hills of Kesh." His favorite food is steamed dumplings. When not listening to pipe music he enjoys bluegrass and old country.
Drum Seargent
Sam Lauritano
Sam joined the band in 2017. He is a former lead drummer from the West Milford Highlander band, currently studying Music Education. In his free time Sam enjoys gaming and is a classic car enthusiast.
Pipe Sergeant
Kristy Smolinski
Kristy is a founding member of the band. Previously she has played with Bergen Irish PB and the West Milford Highlander PB. Kristy is a bagpipe instructor for the West Milford Board of Ed. and a Board of Education Secretary. Her favorite pipe tune is "The Pumpkin's Fancy.' Other than pipe tunes, Kristy is a proud "Swiftie," Taylor Swift enthusiast. In her free time she likes to craft and spend time with her two children and family.
Drum Corporal
Alexis Silverman
Alexis joined the band in 2014 on tenor and is known to also dabble in the snare corps. She is a middle school band director in Fairlawn, NJ. Her favorite pipe tunes is "The Wayfaring Stranger." When she is not listening to pipe music she enjoys Pop Punk and Punk Rock.
Quarter Master Piper Mick Burgess
"I don't joke."
Mick is a founding member of the band. Previously he has played with Bergen Irish PB and the Rockland County AOH PB. Mick is the one responsible for making sure we all look our best for performances. Mick's favorite pipe tune is "Killaloe," and when he is not listening to pipe music he enjoys Irish Folk and 80 New Wave. When he's not piping, Mick enjoys Living History Recreations.
Bass Drummer
Dan Willever
Dan joined the band in 2011 as our Drum Major but picked up the bass when the band was in need and never put it down. Previously he was Drum Major for the Gettysburg College Marching Band and DM of the West Milford Highlander Band. By trade Dan is a walking encyclopedia with strong opinions. His favorite pipe tune is Minstrel Boy. His favorite food is lasagna but cannot stand tofu. In his free time he enjoys a good hike.
Piper
Danielle "Danny" Dreyer
Danny joined Claddagh at the start of the 2015 season. She is a professional outdoor enthusiast that specializes in making maps no one can read and telling your neighbor why his backyard can’t be turned into a parking lot for his Monster Trucks. Her favorite tune is Dawning of the Day. Her favorite food is penne vodka and she enjoys hiking and gardening. In addition to her piping Danny plays guitar, saxophone and clarinet.
Snare Drummer Chris O'Mahoney
Chris is a former lead drummer of the West Milford Highlander PB. He is currently studying History at Rowan Univ. In his spare time Chris enjoys playing handpan and making drum kits.
Colour Sergeant Krist Brembt
Krist is a founding member of the band. He is also the Claddagh Band Union Leader. Previously he has played with the West Milford Highlander PB. Krist works for the NJ Park Service. In his spare time he enjoys Civil War Reenacting.
Tenor Drummer
Kat Schutte
Kat joined the band in 2019. She is a former member of the WM Highlander Pipes & Drums. She is currently a student. Kat enjoys spending time with friends and the equestrian arts.
Piper
Keith Williams
Keith is our only official part-time member. Previously he has played with the West Milford Highlander PB. Keith has a degree in music performance/education with a concentration in Tuba. He currently works as a software developer.
Snare Drummer
Hannah Beekman
Hannah joined the band in 2017. She is a former member of the WM Highlander Pipes & Drums.
Piper
Sarah "Tim" Timony
Sarah joined in the Winter of 2014. Sarah is a former pipe major of the WM Highlander Band. She professional makes construction jargon look Pinterest worthy to convince clients that a half-hearted 3D rendering concept is actually a masterpiece. Her favorite pipe tune is "Gemmel's Ramble." When she is not listening to pipe music she enjoys post hardcore music. In her time outside the circle she enjoys Mexican food and antiquing.
Snare Drummer
Chris O'Mahoney
Chris joined the band in 2022. He is the current lead drummer for the WM Highlander Pipes & Drums. Chris currently a student and in his spare time he enjoys playing and restoring drum sets!
Piper
Raquel Mea
Raquel joined the band in 2017. She is a former Pipe Major of the WM Highlander Pipes & Drums. She currently works for a lab where she enjoys analyzing silicone products to make your tires better.
Tenor Drummer/
Christina Connor
Christina joined us as a first time drummer in 2022. Previously she had been involved helping out with color guard duties but made the switch to become more involved with the performing ensemble. She is also a performing member in the Glen Rock Pops Orchestra and a Librarian.
Piper
"Wee" Allen Magie
Allen is currently a student. He joined the band in 2018 and will be joining the ranks of our competition band in 2022. His Favorite pipe tunes are
"Lisa's Tune" and "Molly Connell." In his free time he enjoys good Italian food as well as playing golf and ice hockey.
Piper
Diane Heffernan
Diane is a retired elementary special education teacher looking forward to the next phase of her life. Now she'll have more time to practice her marching skills! Her favorite tune is Highland Cathedral. She enjoy a great slice of pizza and swimming in her free time.
Bass Drum
Sean Hosbilt
Sean is a founding member of the band. He started as a custom made bass for another band out in NYC but has come to us by way of good fortune. In addition to his drumming, Sean is a renowned Olympic Swimmer and will represent the nation of Ghana in the next summer games!
Snare Drummer
Shane Duffy
Shane is a former bass drummer and drum major of the West Milford Highlanders. He is currently finishing his work as a student. In his free time he enjoys playing bass guitar and trombone with other ensembles.
Piper
Julia Dan
Julia joined the band in 2021. She is currently a full time student and member of her college marching band.
Tenor Drummer
Haley Lindstrom
Haley is a former piper with the West Milford Highlanders. She is soon to be a certified math teacher. Her favorite pipe tune is Killaloe. Her favorite food is chicken teriyaki and her least favorite is eggplant. Currently Haley wakes up at 6am to torment students with numbers and shapes. By night, she teaches children how to gracefully throw themselves in the air at a dance studio.
Piper
Ava "Murph" Murphy
Ava is a former pipe major of the West Milford Highlanders. She currently pays thousands of dollars to sit in classrooms and learn about wiggling air. Her favorite tune is the Beaches of Harris. She loves a good pizza, but hates beets. In her free time she enjoys playing saxophone and a good book.
Tenor Drummer
Colin Iwaszczuk
Colin, aka past tense Chuck is a former Drum Major and tenor drummer for the West Milford Highlanders. He considers himself an unemployed teenager paying hundreds of thousands to get a degree in being a nerd. His favorite pipe tune is Hell Bound Train. His favorite food is peanuts and least favorite is asparagus. In his free time he enjoys telling folks how to correctly pronounce his name and collecting vinyl.
Piper
Nick Ligosh
Nick is a former piper for the West Milford Highlanders. He works as a school teacher. He is an accomplished Eagle Scout. In his free time he enjoys D&D and solving the mysteries of the universe.
Tenor Drummer
Noelle Treloar
Noelle is currently the Drum Major of the West Milford Highlanders. Professional she sits in a seat and looks at a white board that sometimes has words written on it. Her favorite tune is Hell Bound Train. Her favorite food is anything with cheese. In her free time she enjoys playing the French horn.
Piper
Jess Pritchett
Jess is a former Pipe Major for the West Milford Highlanders. He is currently a student. In his free time he enjoys playing Baritone Horn and musical theater.
Tenor Drummer
Kayla Filipowicz
Kayla is currently a student who "spends 7 hours per day locked in a concrete box." Her favorite pipe tune is Lismurrane Lamps and her favorite food is baked ziti pizza. in her free time Kayla enjoys playing French Horn Horn, crocheting, and sleeping.
Piper
Evan Gali
Evan started his bagpipe studies with another local band and jumped in with us after meeting at the Union County Festival. He is working hard to join the competition circle in the coming months.
Tenor Drummer
Nikole Garcia
Nikole is currently a student. Professionally she gives people food and clears the table. Her favorite pipe tune is Amazing Grace and her favorite food is shrimp scampi. In her free time Nikole enjoys playing Baritone and embroidery.