Since its inception in 1996, Michael Collins Pipes & Drums has grown to a corps of over fifty talented musicians from all walks of life — each with a love of playing traditional Irish pipe music. With a mission of learning and playing great Celtic music and entertaining the public, the band performs often for regional events, including the St Patrick's Day Parade in Denver (one of the largest St. Patrick's Day Parades in the nation); various regional parades; Colorado Avalanche games; Denver Nuggets games; and numerous other civic and charitable events. Also a competitive band, the award-winning Michael Collins Pipes & Drums is a Grade IV member of the Western United States Pipe Band Association, and successfully competes throughout the region in parades and Highland games.
The gifted men and women of Michael Collins Pipes & Drums are proudly led by our distinguished officers: Pipe Major, Jay Leasure; Pipe Sergeant & Music Director, Molly Roberts; Drum Major, David Bonham; Drum Sergeant, John Moruzzi; Color Guard Corporal, Ken Hannon Larson; and Chieftain, James Murphy.
Pipe Major
Jay Leasure
Award-winning Pipe Major, Jay Leasure received his first set of Bagpipes from his father on a visit to Scotland at the age of 5. In 1980 Jay began to play seriously when he joined the El Jebel Shrine Pipe Band as a student piper. Within 7 years, he had become their Pipe Major. Jay continued to study under Brian Hughes and Gordon Speirs. He played with Isle of Mull Pipe Band as well as the Colorado Irish Pipes and Drums. In 1996, Jay led El Jebel Shrine Pipe Band to second place in the national Shrine Piping competition. Pursuing his love for Irish music, Jay helped found Michael Collins Pipes & Drums in 1996.
Pipe Sergeant & Music Director
Molly Roberts
A lifelong musician, Molly took up the bagpipes in the mid-1990s. She has served as Head Piping Instructor and Pipe Major for several bands. With these bands and as a soloist, Molly competed in the U.S., Canada, and at the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow, Scotland. Under the tutelage and mentorship of world class soloist, John Cairns, Molly works hard to continually improve her own playing and teaching. As the MCPD Musical Director, Molly is dedicated to not only developing skill with and passion for the wonderful art of playing in a pipe band, but also creating a deep connection between the pipe corps and the percussion section — the heartbeat of the band.
Drum Major
David Bonham
David is an award-winning Drum Major and Highland Dancer who has long been involved in the local Celtic community. David was member of the El Jebel Shrine Pipe Band for 19 years where he served as Drum Major, Treasurer, Secretary and Chieftain. David also served as Drum Major and Performance Coordinator for the Clan of the Isles (P.O.G.) Band until 1996, when he was instrumental in the formation of the Michael Collins Pipes & Drums. David currently serves as Senior Drum Major at many Scottish & Irish Highland Games.
Drum Sergeant
John Moruzzi
John's passion for drumming dates back to 1984, when he received his first snare. His diverse drumming experience includes marching, concert, jazz, and rock; and now, Scottish drumming. John was lead-tip in his high school marching band; and afterward, he was employed as drum instructor for his former high school, as well as the all-city junior high school marching band, writing all of their drum scores and cadences. John joined MCPB as his first pipe band in the spring of 2009, after being a devout fan of the band for many years.
Color Guard Corporal
Ken Hannon Larson
Ken is an original founding member and current President of the worldwide genealogical Irish clann, Clann Ó hAnnáin / O'Hannon. He is currently a director on the board of Irish Network Colorado involved with organizing cultural events. Ken is also a dual citizen of the United States and the Republic of Ireland. He is also a past director on the board of the Colorado Irish Festival. Currently, he is also the Editor of the "Teach Tábhairne Fógra" newsletter. His passion for flags dates back to his early years as a child on Long Island, New York. Ken has been a flag bearer for MCPB since 2006, and in 2011 he formed the MCPB Color Guard.
Chieftain
James Murphy
James has always loved pipe music, especially Irish pipe music. He began his piping career in 1981, with the New York City Police Department Emerald Society, after seeing a flyer advertising bagpipe lessons from the Emerald Society. After retiring from the New York City Police Department, James moved to Colorado and feared he had left his Irish culture behind. Fortunately, James discovered the rich Irish culture in Denver, and played with the Colorado Irish Pipe Band for several years. In 1996, the Michael Collins Pipe Band was formed and James joined a mere two weeks after the formation of the band.