2015 Awardee: Lewis Normand

“The Dewar Award allowed me to study and network in Amsterdam...This provided an extremely valuable context for my work as a performer and a choreographer."

YEAR OF AWARD: 2015
AGE AT AWARD: 21
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Lewis Normand is an intelligent, dedicated and exceptionally talented dancer.

Growing up in rural North East Scotland, Lewis describes his household as playful and creative, in spite of challenging financial circumstances.  “My family’s appreciation of and play in nature, my experience of fewer material things, and my growing up in Scotland is part of me; a driving force, a connection to other people and part of my inspiration.”

It wasn’t until Lewis was 15 that the family moved to Edinburgh and he began to study dance.  However, in just a few short months he had become proficient in his Advanced/Professional Level Contemporary Dance class. Whilst studying for a BTEC in dance he attended nine hours a week of extra classes, which he paid for with his Education Maintenance Allowance.

Lewis went on to gain a place to study at the Royal Conservatoire of Dance.  Whilst there he performed with the Scottish Ballet’s education tour and received the Program Prize for Modern Ballet as well as the Veronica Bruce Trust Award. He graduated in 2014 with a BA in Modern Ballet.

As a professional dancer, Lewis has performed with David Hughes Dance, Errol White Company and the Scottish Opera. He choreographed and performed in Dreamland Theatre’s first production, introducing French song and classical dance to children, and completed a Choreographic Residency at Dance Base.

How the Award Helped

Lewis received a Dewar Arts Award to enable him to attend a month-long training and information-gathering opportunity at the Henny Jurriens Dance and Choreography Intensive in Amsterdam.

The event brings together international teachers and performers of the highest quality and provides an intense learning opportunity, allowing Lewis to explore how his classical training sits in a context of international contemporary work.

Glory on Earth

Credits: Head shot Tania Gardener. Dance shots Erik De Roij Photography.

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“The Dewar Award allowed me to study and network in Amsterdam...This provided an extremely valuable context for my work as a performer and a choreographer."

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2015 Awardee: Colleen Leitch

"The Dewar Award has taken the pressure away from my design process and has given me freedom to experiment with new materials."

YEAR OF AWARD: 2015
AGE AT AWARD: 22
ARTFORMS: , ,
 
 
 

Biography

Born and raised in Edinburgh, Colleen was just 10 years old when she decided she wanted to pursue a career in fashion.  Always passionate about drawing and design, she engaged in her art as a form of escapism.

Colleen has a strong personal connection with photography and the feeling that is evoked when capturing the effects of light. For her, they symbolise a purity of belief and sense of wonder. Through experimentation with materials and textiles, Colleen communicates the effects that light can have on the body.

Colleen graduated from the Edinburgh College of Art with a First Class degree, and went on to show her graduate collection at Graduate Fashion Week, 2014. It was here she achieved the David Band Textile Award and was subsequently nominated for the Scottish Fashion Awards, where she won the Fashion Graduate of the Year.

How the Award Helped

Colleen received a Dewar Arts Award to support her experimentation in design, whilst studying an MA in Womenswear Fashion at the Royal College of Art.

“I want to further explore capturing beauty and feeling of wonder through my designs, to create garments that represent me and my faith.”

Colleen Leitch – Light

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"The Dewar Award has taken the pressure away from my design process and has given me freedom to experiment with new materials."

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2015 Awardee: Paul Grant

"The Dewar Arts Award has been a great encouragement... allowing me to take the next step towards becoming a professional singer."

YEAR OF AWARD: 2015
AGE AT AWARD: 25
ARTFORMS:
WEBSITE:https://www.pauldgrant.com/
 
TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/pauldgrant

Biography

Paul Grant is singer whose baritone voice has an alluring quality, with excellent range, dynamic control and the strength required for a successful career in performance.

Born and raised in Edinburgh, Paul attended a local state school before going on to study music at the University of Edinburgh.  In 2012, he graduated and was awarded the Eileen Cameron Music Prize for his contribution to the musical life of the Music Department, the University and the wider Edinburgh community.

In 2013, Paul completed a PGDE in Secondary Music Education from the Moray House School of Education. He went on to gain a place on the prestigious Masters in Performance course at the Royal Academy of Music in London, offering the opportunity for Paul to hone his technique and develop the essential skills for a professional career.

Performance highlights include so far include John Adams’s The Wound Dresser with the Edinburgh University Chamber Orchestra conducted by Will Conway; a lunchtime recital with John Kitchen at the Usher Hall as part of the Get Organised series as well as featuring as a soloist with National Youth Choir of Scotland and Northern Sinfonia, and on a European tour with NYCoS in 2013.

How the Award Helped

Paul’s Dewar Arts Award enabled him to study to professional level on the Masters in Performance course at the Royal Academy of Music.

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"The Dewar Arts Award has been a great encouragement... allowing me to take the next step towards becoming a professional singer."

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2015 Awardee: Christopher Roberts

"I can't thank Dewar Arts Awards enough for the assistance, I feel it came at the most crucial of times in my early career."

YEAR OF AWARD: 2015
AGE AT AWARD: 18
ARTFORMS: , ,
 
EMAIL:chrisrobertstpt@gmail.com
 

Biography

Born in Edinburgh, trumpeter and vocalist Christopher Roberts showed prodigious talent from a very young age, quickly developing a full register, flexibility and clear articulation.  He began playing the trumpet from the age of 7, and from the age of 15 held the position of Principal trumpet in the Edinburgh Youth Orchestra.

In 2007, Christopher accepted a full scholarship place at St. Mary’s Music School where he studied with Bede Williams and John Kenny. During this time, he performed regularly, gaining professional experience with orchestras and ensembles in the UK and abroad. In 2014 he was a member of the KLANGSPUREN International Ensemble Modern Akademie where he studied with Sava Stoianov, and he has also studied with John Wallace, Tom Poulson and Mark O’Keeffe.

Making his concerto debut at the age of 15, Christopher has subsequently appeared as a soloist throughout the United Kingdom playing with the Milne-Graden Chamber Orchestra, Heisenberg Ensemble and with the world renowned Choristers of St. Mary’s Cathedral.

As a founding member of Carnyx Youth Brass, Christopher has been involved in many projects for ensemble, premiering new works for brass and featuring as the principal trumpet on the CD ‘Storm Chaser’. Christopher has been a major prize winner at festivals in Edinburgh and Glasgow.

While a student at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Christopher was conductor in residence with Brass Sounds Inverclyde. During this time, he proudly represented Scotland with SCOKENDIA, featuring as part of the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games. He has taken part in numerous impressive masterclasses, as well as studying with Professor Urban Agnas and Professor Friedemann Immer at the Hochschule für Musik und Tanz, Köln.

How the Award Helped

Christopher received an award to help him to continue to flourish in his bachelor degree studies at the Hochschule für Musik und Tanz, Köln.

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"I can't thank Dewar Arts Awards enough for the assistance, I feel it came at the most crucial of times in my early career."

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2015 Awardee: Tamara Hardy

"It’s truly amazing to have come so far, and I would like to thank the Dewar Arts Awards for helping me to go even further."

YEAR OF AWARD: 2015
AGE AT AWARD: 21
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

An intelligent and thoughtful musician, Tamara Hardy (Tam) is a double bass player described by her tutor as ‘one of the most proactive, innovative and original thinking students I have ever come across’.

Born and raised in the Highlands, Tam started playing double bass in primary school, when she was just 11. Less than a year later she was accepted into the Highland Regional Youth Orchestra, and by the age of 15, her passion for the instrument led her to audition for the Junior Academy at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. She successfully gained a place and studied there for three years.

In 2011, Tam began the undergraduate programme at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Her four years in Glasgow offered Tam many opportunities including lessons and masterclasses with world renowned players.  She participated in apprenticeship schemes and collaborations with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and Scottish Opera.

Tam graduated with a Bachelor of Music with Honours , and was awarded 1st prize in the John McInulty Prizes for Orchestral String Playing.

How the Award Helped

In 2015, Tam went on to gain a place on the Masters of Music course at the Royal Academy of Music. Her Dewar Arts Award enabled her to accept her place, and to fully benefit from the opportunity to realise her potential.

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"It’s truly amazing to have come so far, and I would like to thank the Dewar Arts Awards for helping me to go even further."

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2015 Awardee: Kieran Lambie

This award benefits me because it will allow me to continue gaining experience as an instrumental teacher...and will help me further enhance my performing experience.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2015
AGE AT AWARD: 22
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Kieran Lambie is an outstanding classical musician, whose ambition is to play and teach clarinet professionally. His memorable solo performances of a demanding repertoire have garnered acclaim, and his passion for teaching is matched by his focus and determination.

Kieran is patient, diligent, and ambitious.  He has played in numerous musical ensembles, gained a distinction in his Grade 8 musical examinations and achieved a BA in Music Performance with a Distinction from Edinburgh College.

He intends to develop his practice through teaching and performing a range of styles of music, and has a promising future as a professional musician.

How the Award Helped

Kieran’s award enabled him to continue his professional development, through instrumental lessons and by undertaking two Trinity College qualifications: an ATCL in Instrumental Teaching and an LTCL in Performance.

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This award benefits me because it will allow me to continue gaining experience as an instrumental teacher...and will help me further enhance my performing experience.

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2015 Awardee: David Linklater

The Dewar Award has granted me the time and space to focus solely on my writing, for this I'm very grateful.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2015
AGE AT AWARD: 24
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/DavidRossLinkla

Biography

Hailing from Inverness, David is a writer of determination and distinction.

Moving from the Highlands to Glasgow in 2012, David applied for the HNC Professional Writing Skills course at City of Glasgow College.  Despite his lack of prerequisite qualifications, David’s impressive portfolio earned him a place on the course.

Having already self-published two books of poetry, David completed a third during his time on the course. He also performed a daring and spontaneous piece at the Creative & Cultural Skills Scotland annual conference, and won the class prize – awarded annually to the most outstanding student.

David went on to take an HNC Practical Journalism course in 2014 and was equally successful, contributing several pieces to publications and impressing with his versatility. In the meantime he continued to develop his career as a writer of prose and poetry, and was published in several respected poetry outlets.

David is an extremely capable journalist and an excellent prose writer, but it is his poetry that stands out. He creates work that rises above his peers and demands to be noticed.  In 2015, his prodigious talent was recognised by the University of Glasgow, who offered him an unconditional place on their illustrious M.Lit course, even without a degree level qualification.

David’s work has been published in Glasgow Review of Books, The Grind, ODOU, The High Flight and The Speculative Bookshop, amongst others. In 2016 he was shortlisted for a Scottish Book Trust’s New Writers Award. 

“His poetry is sometimes rustic but never twee, youthful and contemporary without being naïve or following trends, and most of all extremely evocative.” John Clarke, Lecturer, City of Glasgow College.

How the Award Helped

David’s Dewar Arts Award supported him in his masters studies at the University of Glasgow, enabling him to progress his formal qualifications to postgraduate level.

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The Dewar Award has granted me the time and space to focus solely on my writing, for this I'm very grateful.

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2015 Awardee: Ryan Hunter

The Award has liberated me and allowed me to study at the most prestigious drama school in the world. Thank you.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2015
AGE AT AWARD: 19
ARTFORMS: , ,
 
 
 

Biography

Growing up on the Southside of Glasgow, Ryan Hunter is the youngest of five siblings, and the first to become an actor rather than a musician.

Ryan took music lessons at St Roch’s Secondary School in Royston, where he played the fiddle, drums and bodhran.  He performed across Scotland, England and Ireland with the school’s Ceili band, before taking to the stage with the PACE Youth Theatre in Paisley. From there he was accepted into the Musical Theatre Course at the Dance School of Scotland in Knightswood.

During his time at Knightswood, Ryan performed at the Citizens Theatre to much acclaim.  In his second year he gained a role in the comedic film ‘What We Did On Our Holiday’, acting alongside David Tennant, Rosamund Pike and Billy Connolly.

On completion of the course, Ryan stayed in Glasgow and busked beside the Donald Dewar statue on Sauchiehall Street while auditioning for roles.  He gained a place in a touring production with Hopscotch Theatre Company, which he completed whilse auditioning for drama schools.

After a gruelling four-round audition process for RADA, Ryan was one of just 28 students out of 4,000 applicants who gained a coveted place.  This offered an exceptional opportunity to study his craft at a most prestigious school.

Intelligent and well read, Ryan takes a serious and committed interest in his work as an actor. He has charisma on stage and screen, and looks set to be an excellent ambassador for Scottish arts in his future career.

How the Award Helped

Ryan’s Award enabled him to accept his hard-won place to study at RADA.

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The Award has liberated me and allowed me to study at the most prestigious drama school in the world. Thank you.

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2014 Awardee: Aimee McCulloch

This gives me an incredible chance to consolidate and push my skills, and is the ideal stepping stone for a future as a stained glass artist

YEAR OF AWARD: 2014
AGE AT AWARD: 21
ARTFORMS: ,
WEBSITE:https://www.aimeemcculloch.com/
EMAIL:aimeemcculloch@live.co.uk
 

Biography

Hailing from Bonnyrigg, Midlothian, Aimee is a talented artist who has lived in Scotland all her life.

Whilst studying a 4 year degree course in illustration at Duncan of Jordanstone College, Aimee became increasingly drawn to working with stained glass.  Finding this to be an ideal medium for her detailed and colourful designs, Aimee experimented with innovative ways to utilise the medium within illustration.  After undertaking a period of research and independent investigation she created a final degree show comprising almost entirely of glass panels.

Aimee has explored her passion keenly, developing her skills by securing an internship with a Glasgow glass studio, taking short courses and visiting practising artists.  In 2014 she gained a postgraduate place on the only glass course in Scotland – the MA in Glass at Edinburgh College of Art.  This offered the perfect opportunity to try new techniques and resources, which would otherwise be unavailable to her.

How the Award Helped

Aimee was granted an award to support her in studying on the MA in Glass – a unique course that specialises in her area of talent and interest.

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This gives me an incredible chance to consolidate and push my skills, and is the ideal stepping stone for a future as a stained glass artist

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2014 Awardee: Juliet Montgomery

The generous support of the Dewar Arts Awards has allowed my aspirations of postgraduate study to become a reality! Thank you.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2014
AGE AT AWARD: 22
ARTFORMS: , ,
 
 
 

Biography

Juliet is a soprano with a voice of distinctive quality.  Born in Stirling, she grew up in a musical environment; her mother is a freelance musician who plays and teaches violin and viola.  Juliet attended Stageworx Stage School for six years before beginning tuition in classical singing.  She then went on to study at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester.

During her time as an undergraduate student she proved herself to be “an intelligent, musical singer of promise and a joy to teach”.  On graduating with a First Class Bachelor of Music (Honours), she was offered a coveted place for postgraduate study, reserved for only those students with the greatest talent and potential.

Juliet has played key roles in numerous operatic productions and has performed as a recitalist in a wide variety of venues including the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Halifax Minster and the Bridgewater Hall.  She has also performed solo for the prestigious Bulava Chorus, at the Notre Dame in Paris and the Cathedral of Resurrection in Kiev.

How the Award Helped

Juliet’s Award enabled her to benefit from postgraduate study at the RNCM.

She first completed a postgraduate diploma, and then received a further award to supporto continue her studies on the Masters of Music in Performance course. This course is designed to provide advanced training in solo performance.  As well as world-class one to one vocal tuition and performance opportunities, the course includes regular coaching sessions, language classes, repertoire classes, movement classes, Alexander Technique, acting technique and audition skills classes, equipping Juliet with the knowledge and experience needed to become a professional opera singer.

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The generous support of the Dewar Arts Awards has allowed my aspirations of postgraduate study to become a reality! Thank you.

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