Stuart Easton
Stuart began piping at the age of 13, taught initially by his father Murray, then later by Greg Wilson and Stewart McKenzie. He has been a prolific prize winner throughout New Zealand, Australia, France and Scotland.
In 2018 Stuart won the coveted Highland Society of London Gold Medal at the Argyllshire Gathering. Thus coming off the back of his 2017 Northern Meeting Silver Medal & overall at Inverness. He qualified to compete at the prestigious Glenfiddich Piping Championships at Blair Castle and took 5th prize in the Piobaireachd on his first appearance. Stuart has also been New Zealand's representative at the Interceltique festival in Lorient, France on nine occasions.
As a recipient of the William Boyle Scholarship, Stuart achieved the Institute of Piping Senior Certificate at the Piping Centre in Glasgow. He played for the Manawatu Scottish grade 1 Pipe Band for 25 years & become a life member in 2021. The band won seven National Championship titles, five top 10 World Championship titles & also produced two CD recordings. He is a part time teacher, and senior adjudicator.
Some of Stuarts major prizes are listed below:
Whiskey Galore & Wild Estate NZ Invitational Piping Champion 2021;
Highland Society of London Gold Medal, Argyllshire Gathering 2018;
R.U Brown Gold Medal, Adelaide 2018;
Comunn Na Piobaireachd Gold Clasp 2018;
Northern Meeting Silver Medal 2017;
Senior Piobaireachd Cowal Highland Gathering 2017;
Senior Piobaireachd Perth Highland Games 2016;
Julie Appleton Seymour Trophy, Brisbane 2016;
Former Winners Clasp MMSSRR, Highland Piping Society of Canterbury (4);
Overall New Zealand Solo Piping Championships (5);
Colin Craig Claidhmor (3);
Celtic Inn Targe Piobaireachd (5);
Wellington Brown Cup, (9);
Robert Everest Memorial Quay, (5);
Scottish Nova Scotian Centennial Shield, Waipu (10);
Northcote Invitational Challenge Quay (3);
Hamilton Pipers Club Invitational contest 2016;
Senior Piobaireachd Birnam 2015;
Dunedin Gold Medal Piobaireachd (2);
Premier Otago P&D MMSSRR Dunedin (3);
Bagpiper Australasian Piping Recital Challenge, Ballarat 2012;
RU Brown Overall Adelaide 2011 & 2018;
Senior Piobaireachd Festival Interceltique, Lorient 2010;
Senior Piobaireachd Glenfinnan, 2010;
Senior Piobaireachd Crieff, 2010;
Mclean Gold Medal Australia 2013;
Commun Na Piobaireachd Gold Medal NZ 2008;
Australasian Invitational Piping Final, Brisbane (2);
Silver Chanter Highland Piping Society of Canterbury 2004;
Helen McGregor Memorial Trophy (8);
William Boyle Memorial Scholarship, 1999:
Shelley Easton
Shelley has been involved in Highland Dancing her entire life. She has held 10 overall New Zealand Championship Titles (6 Senior and 4 Junior) and many North, South, and Centre Championships. Shelley gained her Solo Seal in Highland & National Dancing at age 21. She has also competed successfully in Scotland in 2007 and 2009.
Now days, Shelley continues to teach highland at Danceworks Studios in Palmerston North. She adjudicates regularily around New Zealand and conducts workshops and summer schools. She is the secretary of the Manawatu Teachers and Judges of Highland & National Dancing Inc and is an active member of the New Zealand Highland Dancing Community.
Aside from dancing, Shelley has also been a playing member of the Manawatu Scottish Pipe Band from 2007 until 2012 including three trips to the World Pipe Band Championships.
