André Tessier started drumming at the age of 10 in his hometown of Montreal, Quebec. After showing promise very early on, André's father - also his first teacher - sent him to Toronto to learn from J. Reid Maxwell. Under Reid's tutelage, André won the Ontario Pipers and Pipe Band Society Champion Supreme award for Grade 2 Drumming in 1987 and for Grade 1 Drumming in 1989, before moving into the professional class.
In 1996, André ventured west to Vancouver where he was re-united with his mentor, Reid Maxwell. André spent the next 10 seasons with the SFU Pipe Band, winning World Pipe Band Championships in 1996, 1999 and 2001, a World Drum Corps Championship in 1999, the Australian Championships in 2001 and the North American Championships in 2002.
André has also had the privilege of performing in some of the world’s greatest concert venues, including New York’s Carnegie Hall and the Sydney Opera House.
After many years as a section player, Andre took on the role of Lead Drummer of the Robert Malcolm Memorial Pipe. In his first season as Lead Drummer, RMM won the World Pipe Band Championships for Grade 2 in 2006.
André currently serves as the Lead Drummer of the Grade 1 Dowco Triumph Street Pipe Band. He is certified by the British Columbia Pipers Association as an A-Level Drumming and Ensemble adjudicator, and serves on the Adjudication and Solo Grading Committees for the BCPA.
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