Biography and Resume
Erik J. Leiken started piping in 1994 at the age of eight years old. He began performing in 1997, and competing in 1998. He currently competes in the Professional grade for solo piping. Below are some of his accomplishments to date as a performer and competitor.
Notable performances:
-With Eric Burdon and the Animals for the song "Sky Pilot," five times from 1997-2001.
-The Closing of the DeYoung Museum for renovatations with the Prince Charles Pipe Band, 2000.
-The retirement parties for Assemblywoman Helen Thompson and Woodland Police Chief Del Hanson in 2002.
-A law enforcement memorial concert with the Sacramento Youth Symphony, 2002.
-The Festival of Rememberance at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco with the Dunvegan Pipe Band annually since 2002.
-Highland Dance piper, Northern California Highland Dance Association, 2002-2004.
-Several snippets of his piping, Howard 93.7, 2004-2005.
-Good Evening Sacramento, 2004.
-Guest performer with The Wicked Tinkers since 2004.
-Soloist for "Amazing Grace" during massed bands, Albuquerque, NM, 2009.
-Guest musician with Siamsa, The Great Dickens Faire, San Francisco, CA, 2009.
-The Hogmanay (New Year's) Shinty match in Half Moon Bay for the Northern California Camanachd, 2010.
-Guest soloist with the 191st Army Band's 4th of July concert, 2010.
-Countless military, law enforcement, and fire service ceremonies all over California.
-Solo piper with Isla St. Clair, Davis, CA, August 2010.
-Guest performer with Riggity Jig, 2010-Present.
Band Experience:
-Prince Charles Jr. (1997-2001)
-Dunvegan (2002-Present, Pipe Major. Once a competition band, they perform at various events in the San Francisco Bay area.)
-Alameda County Sheriff's (2005-2011, as instructor)
-Kevin R. Blandford Memorial Grade 3 (2006-2010)
-Los Angeles Scottish (AKA: LA Scots) Grade 1 (2011-2012)
-City of Sacramento (2012-2013)
-Peel Regional Police Pipe Band (2014-Present)
Solo experience (Major contests and achievements mentioned only):
-WUSPBA Aggregate Champion for Grade One, 2008, 2009.
-Twice winner of the Olaf Paulsen OBE Memorial Silver Chanter for Grade One, Costa Mesa, 2008, 2009.
-Twice winner of the P/M Angus MacDonald Memorial for Grade One, Southern CA, 2007, 2008.
-Twice winner of the Harry Doro Memorial award, Albuquerque, 2008, 2009.
-Aggregate Grade One Champion, Queen Mary Highland games, 2009.
-Contestant of the 2008 Nicol-Brown and George Sheriff Memorial Amateur Compeitions.
-5th Place in Grade One Piobaireachd, United States Piping Foundation, Newark, DE.
-3rd Place Professional MSR, P/M Angus MacDonald Memorial, 2009.
-3rd Professional MSR, San Diego Highland Games, 2010.
-4th Overall Professional , P/M Angus MacDonald Memorial, 2010.
-2nd Pro MSR, 3rd Pro Piobaireachd, Queen Mary Highland Games, 2011.
-2nd Overall Professional grade, Costa Mesa Highland Games, 2011.
-3rd Overall Professional, San Diego Highland Games, 2011.
He has studied under:
-Dave Parkhurst (City of Sacramento Pipe Band)
-Bill Merriman (Prince Charles Pipe Band)
-Jimmy Young (Piobaireachd and light music)
-Dugald MacNeill (Piobaireachd)
-Bruce Hitchings (Primarily light music)
-Seumas Coyne (Light music)
-John Partenan (Piobaireachd)
-Major Archie Cairns (Primarily for Piobaireachd)
-Angus J. MacLellan (Primarily for Piobaireachd)
-Donald Lindsay (Piobaireachd)
-Ozzie Reid (Dunvegan Pipe Band, current and main instructor since 2001)