BRIEF
Senior Drum Major Paula Braiden, an Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association (RSPBA) Drum Major Adjudicator is the most decorated and distinguished RSPBA Drum Major and instructor in the World. As such, she has created The Force Academy, which is the next step in the development of The Force brand. The Force Academy brings together over 24 years of experience developing young talented Drum Majors and consists of multiple flourishing specialists.
Paula has been a keen advocate in passing on her knowledge and expertise to younger generations. Her elite team within The Force being a prime example, as they are all past pupils of Paula’s dissolved ‘PB Class of Drum Majors’. Her elite team of past pupils are all Champions, having been crowned World, British, Scottish, European, UK, All Ireland and Ulster Champions on multiple occasions.
Paula’s record for teaching the younger generation of Drum Majors is exemplary as she has produced 7x World Champion Drum Majors in total and countless other major championship titles.
Unfortunately there has been a decrease in the number of young people wanting to begin their journey as a Drum Major, especially when compared to the number of Pipers and Drummers that are starting out. As such and with Northern Ireland being a blueprint for sustainable growth and success within the musical discipline of competitive Drum Majoring globally, Paula is eager to develop this within other regions of the UK such as Scotland and England in the first instance, with a view of increasing competitive Drum Majoring globally.
This has formed the basis for our next step in the development of The Force Academy, with the overall aim of rejuvenating Drum Majoring within various settings such as schools, bands, associations or other entities. Drum Major tuition can be facilitated by workshops, scholarships or online sessions.
School Partnerships
Gordon’s School,
England
St Columba’s School,
Scotland
Campbell College,
Northern Ireland
Register
To register for The Force Academy please complete our registration form here.
Once you have registered onto The Force Academy you will not only receive World class tuition, but you will also be provided with unlimited access to our members only portal.
The Force Academy portal will provide you with a whole host of resources, videos and guidance manuals, which will further supplement your personal development and enable your journey in becoming a Champion Drum Major.
Alternatively, don’t hesitate in reaching out via our email address below for further information about The Force Academy and what we can offer.
The Force Academy is available to:
- Schools
- Bands
- Associations
- Individuals
For MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FORCE ACADEMY AND UNDERSTAND YOUR TRAINING NEEDS, PLEASE email us below.
I reached out to Paula to come over to Gordon’s School to work with our aspiring Drum Majors and work with the Band to assist with Drill. Having never previously met, Paula and I immediately clicked, our visions and passion for everything Pipe Band and education very similarly aligned.
Within minutes of the first workshop, she had won the room, inspiring the next generation of Drum Majors. That was a catalyst to working together more and allowing our students access to World-Class tuition.
Ergo, Paula now teaches our Scholars and is pushing their boundaries, inspiring them, and allowing them to reach their full potential. She is engaging, reliable and extremely organised. I am so glad that we connected, and our students have access to her skillset and knowledge.
Iona ScoTson
Gordon’s School, Woking (England)
The Force Academy have excelled at providing us with World-Class Drum Major tuition. Paula’s teaching ability shone through in workshops, expertly guiding beginners with patience, clarity, and enthusiasm.
She inspired our students, fostering confidence and skill in Drum Major techniques, making a lasting impact on our School.
Grahame Harris
Campbell College, Belfast (Northern Ireland)
THE FORCE 