Profiles of Our Tattoo Stars
The Canadian International Military Tattoo would like to take this opportunity to highlight the talents and accomplishments of many of its members and performers. We hope you enjoy reading the short biographies of our feature profiles.
Liam McGlashon
Ten-year-old Liam McGlashon, now making his home in Hamilton, was just six years old when he picked up the fiddle. Liam has honed his stage personality through playing on various stages, at kitchen parties, conventions and trade shows in Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, Ottawa, Toronto and Hamilton. Attendees so enjoyed Liam's unique talents at Tattoo 2008, that he was brought back once again to play at the Canadian International Military Tattoo's 2009 shows. We look forward to Liam—The Fiddle Kid—performing at the 2010 Tattoo and in becoming an enduring performer at future Tattoo shows.
Catch Liam in action on YouTube.
Michelle Napholc
Michelle Napholc began Highland Dancing when she was 3 years old and ever since then, dancing has been not only a hobby, but her passion. During her dancing career, Michelle has been successful in competitions in Canada, the United States and in Scotland. She became a member of the Schiehallion Dancers at the age of 13 where she has travelled worldwide with the ensemble performing in Tattoos in Bermuda, Holland, Belgium, France, Denmark and the United States. She has enjoyed performing in the Hamilton Tattoo since the age of ten and looks forward to it every year.
When Michelle was 14, she auditioned and was accepted into the professional dance ensemble, The Scottish Dance Company of Canada, where she has performed with a variety of entertainers including Rob Crabtree and Friends, the Campbell Brothers, The Mudmen and Gerry Dee.
She has performed at many theatres such as the Sanderson Centre, River Run Theatre and the Winter Garden Theatre for the Celtic Christmas Shows, Hamilton Place and Roy Thomson Hall for the production Scotland the Brave.
When Michelle was 16 years old she began teaching classes at her studio, Sandra Bald Jones Studio of Highland Dancing, and is still enjoying teaching the art and Scottish tradition of dance to young and eager dancers.
Michelle has an enthusiasm for working with and helping others in need. She has been a volunteer at several locations belonging to the Hamilton Health Sciences since she was 14 years old. She has worked alongside patients in the Acquired Brain Injury Program and children with disabilities in the Adaptive Music Program.
Michelle’s future ambition is to become a member of Hamilton Police Services and she hopes to work closely with Victim Services later on in her career with the force.
Zach Evans
Zach started dancing at the age of 4. He presently dances with the Schiehallion Dancers, and the Scottish Dance Company of Canada, a professional dance ensemble. He is an Associate Member of the Scottish Dance Teacher’s Alliance, currently teaching at the Sandra Bald Jones Studio of Highland Dancing.
Zach has performed as a soloist in the Hamilton International Tattoo and in numerous other tattoos, festivals, shows and recitals. These engagements have taken him to Bermuda, Herleen (Holland), Mons (Belgium), St. Quentin (France), Denmark, and Rochester, New York. He is also a successful competitive dancer and has traveled to competitions in Ontario, Québec, Manitoba, New York State and Scotland.
Zach believes that dance has provided him with the discipline needed to succeed in life, notably in his athletic and academic pursuits. Dance has taught him to strive for excellence both physically and mentally. He realises that dance has allowed him to experience other cultures and has provided him with opportunities to share his interest in highland dance with others.
Zach is currently in second year in the Kinesiology program at McMaster University with the ultimate goal of entering the field of sports medicine.