2025 Cast

The 2025 Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo Cast

Stay tuned as we announce the cast of the 2025 Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo over the coming months!

INTERNATIONAL CAST

HEERESMUSIKKORPS HANNOVER
(Germany)

Heeresmusikkorps Hannover has served the German Armed Forces since 1956, making it one of the country’s longest-serving military bands. Back then, they were known as the Band of the 1st Grenadier Division in Hanover, but in 2013, they were re-named to their current name with the military realignment.

The 50 musicians who perform with Heeresmusikkorps Hannover represent their military in over 200 performances each year. Among these are military performances, like change of command ceremonies, ‘Great Tattoo’ showcases, and other ceremonies; but the band also travels the world with their extensive repertoire.

Heeresmusikkorps Hannover performers traditional and modern music, breaking down into chamber ensembles like woodwind and brass quartets and symphonic wind orchestras. They’re equally adept at performing classical tunes, marching music, and popular music that you’ve heard on television and in movies!

We’re thrilled to be joined by Heeresmusikkorps Hannover (German Army Band Hanover) this summer!

THE BAND OF THE ROYAL NETHERLANDS MARECHAUSSEE
(The Netherlands)

Royal Marechaussee Halifax-Web
The Band of the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee is based in Apeldoorn, a city liberated by members of the 1st Canadian Infantry Division on April 17, 1945. Today, they’re one of seven military bands based within the country, and their 50 talented musicians are all highly-skilled performers who break down into concert and marching bands, as well as into smaller big band, brass quintets and quartets, and a sax quartet.

The former queen, Princess Beatrix, is their patron and the Band of the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee is proud of their connection to the Royal Family and to the Royal Family’s strong Canadian ties. During the Second World War, the Dutch royals arrived safely in Canada and Princess Margriet was born in Ottawa—though the hospital ward was briefly declared extraterritorial to ensure the newborn’s Dutch citizenship.

The Royal Netherlands Marechaussee is the country’s military police, and its Canadian equivalent is the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. It’s been nearly 20 years since The Band of the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee was last here, and this summer, they’re back in Halifax to celebrate the strong bonds of friendship that exist between Canada and the Netherlands following the Liberation of Holland in 1945.

THE ROYAL NORWEGIAN NAVY BAND
(Norway)

Royal Norwegian Navy Band
Formed in 1820 and based out of Horten since the 1850s, the Royal Norwegian Navy Band is one of five professional military bands based in the Scandinavian country.

The 27 highly-educated, professional musicians that make up the Royal Norwegian Navy Band perform up to 150 events a year and travel around the world with their world-class repertoire, mastering genres including traditional band, classical, contemporary, jazz, rock and pop.

In addition to their many awards, the Royal Norwegian Navy Band has released several CDs, performed with Norway’s best musicians, and has even won the Norwegian GRAMMY, the Spellemannprisen!

While the Royal Norwegian Navy Band has performed all over the world, this is their first time in Halifax and they’re coming for a very special reason.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War and the special cultural and military relationship cultivated all those years ago remains especially poignant between Canada and Norway.

THE FORCE – DISPLAY TEAM OF CHAMPION DRUM MAJORS
(United Kingdom)

The Force – Display Team of Champion Drum Majors
The Force – Display Team of Champion Drum Majors are led and founded by one of the most successful and sought-after Drum Majors in the World, Paula Braiden. Paula, a 6x times World Champion Drum Major within the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association (RSPBA) has been able to create this exciting and innovative display team of Champion Drum Majors, which consists of multiple World, European, British, UK, Scottish, All Ireland and Ulster Champions within its ranks.

This talented group of Champion Drum Majors have achieved every RSPBA Major Championship title there is to win and as such bring a wealth of championship winning experience to any event, with creativity, innovation and style. The individuals within the team all have solo artist success and experience, and when brought together, magnify and bring music to life.

The team are highly accomplished at performing in front of thousands of spectators and have been involved in many collaborations across the World at various international tattoos and festivals. The Force brings a highly innovative and creative modern twist to Drum Majoring with spectacular demonstrations of their musical synchronized flourishes and drill.

CANADIAN CAST

NASTASSIA BURYNSKAYA

Nastassia Burynskaya is a professional contemporary circus artist specializing in aerial acts, hula hoops, and more. Raised in a circus family, she began her journey in the circus world 15 years ago, following a background in rhythmic gymnastics and acrobatics from the age of four. Originally from Minsk, Belarus, Nastassia moved to Halifax, Nova Scotia in 2019. Since 2015, she has taught circus arts in both Belarus and Halifax, while also performing at various circus festivals and working in circus tents across the world. Three years ago, Nastassia founded Sky Entertainment, driven by her core belief of delivering exceptional service with a mission: to touch the hearts of all through spectacular performances and create unforgettable experiences for everyone.

KRISTIN LANGILLE

Kristin Langille is one of the most recognized names in circus on the East Coast. Her aerial performing career has brought her from the stages of Halifax to Hong Kong, India, and many festivals and shows across Canada. She is a graduate of the National Circus schools instructor and trainer programs specializing in aerial silks and trapeze and is currently the HRCE Halifax Regional Arts Specialist for Circus Arts. She started the Aerial Circus program at Halifax Circus in 2010 and is currently working at inesS Circus. She has appeared in over 200 shows and festivals since 2008 as an aerialist and fire performer.
Outside of a full-time career as a circus artist and instructor, she is a grad of the Dal Acting Program and has had many years as an award-winning film/tv actor.
NASTASSIA AND KRISTIN ARE PERFORMING AN AERIAL SILKS DUO ACT FROM AND PRESENTED BY SKY ENTERTAINMENT!

TATTOO MASSED PIPES & DRUMS

The Tattoo Massed Pipes & Drums are comprised of units across Canada who keep the highland music traditions alive!

TATTOO HIGHLAND DANCE TEAM

Our talented Highland Dance Team hails from all over the world and their stunning choreography will leave you breathless!

TATTOO CHOIR

CAST CHOIR
The Tattoo Choir adds depth to poignant historical scenes and tributes.

TATTOO CHILDREN’S CHORUS

CAST CHILDREN'S
The kids from the Tattoo Children’s Chorus always have a blast in the show!

TATTOO FANFARE TRUMPETERS

CAST FANFARES
The joyful trumpets you hear from the Tattoo Fanfare Trumpeters can’t be beat!

TATTOO EXTRAS

CAST EXTRAS
The Tattoo Extras always create an impact on our historical tableaus.

“An excellent entertainment: anything that can impress a modern 15-year-old must be doing something right!”

Photos by Stoo Metz, David Baillieul, Hamish Gordon & others.
Become a Tattoo Insider