2013 Awardee: Brandon Brown

My award means everything to me. It is allowing me to do what I thought I would never do.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2013
AGE AT AWARD: 16
ARTFORMS: ,
WEBSITE:https://www.facebook.com/brandonbrownguitarist
 
 

Biography

Brandon’s guitar teacher describes him as “the most talented and able student I have eveer seen in over 20 years teaching”.

After starting to play the guitar at the age of 8, Brandon quickly progressed.  He says “it was all that I could think about”.  He has since gained a 92% distinction in his Grade 8 guitar exam (at just 15), and has played in the finals of numerous music competitions including the Edinburgh Guitar and Music Festival.

At 16 he became one of the youngest players ever to gain a scholarship to study at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, USA.

https://www.youtube.com/gibsonsgmadness

How the Award Helped

Brandon’s award will help to fund his studies at Berklee.

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My award means everything to me. It is allowing me to do what I thought I would never do.

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2013 Awardee: Nadina Valenti

I am thrilled to have won a place at "Central School of Ballet" where I can develop my full potential. This would not be possible without the invaluable support from the Dewar Awards. Thank you.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2013
AGE AT AWARD: 15
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Nadina is a very gifted and dedicated young dancer with exceptional talent. She started ballet lessons in her hometown of Wemyss Bay at the age of three, and in 2008 she was offered a place at the Scottish Ballet as a Junior Associate.  She went on to achieve a place at the Dance School of Scotland in Glasgow.

During her time at the Dance School she gained distinctions in all her vocational ballet exams, won a Scholarship and Commendation at Dance Summer Schools and achieved a place as a semi-finalist at the Royal Academy of Dance Genée International Ballet Competition 2013.  She also featured in the Dance School’s annual performances in the Kings Theatre and Theatre Royal Glasgow.

In 2013 Nadina successfully auditioned for the prestigious Central School of Ballet in London, gaining a place on their BA(Hons) course in Professional Dance and Performance.

How the Award Helped

Nadina received a Dewar Arts Award to support her studies at the Central School of Ballet.

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I am thrilled to have won a place at "Central School of Ballet" where I can develop my full potential. This would not be possible without the invaluable support from the Dewar Awards. Thank you.

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2013 Awardee: Sylvia Law

I am extremely grateful for receiving the Dewar Arts Awards’ support as it has enabled me to develop and pursue my artistic practice and fulfil all of my creative ambitions as a sound artist.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2013
AGE AT AWARD: 22
ARTFORMS: , ,
WEBSITE:https://www.sylvia-law.com/
EMAIL:sylviasounds@gmail.com
TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/sylvy09

Biography

Born in Edinburgh to a Scottish father and Spanish mother, Sylvia describes herself as bilingual, with a rich cultural upbringing and strong sense of identity.

Whilst studying at the Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art, Sylvia was recognised as an artist of outstanding ambition, determination and ability, whose work demonstrated an unusual level of originality.  In 2012, she graduated with a BA(Hons) in Time Based Art & Digital Film and went on to gain the RSA John Kinross Scholarship to embark on a two-month residency in Florence. She spent this time exploring the relationship between sound and space in different architectural locations.  The resulting work was presented at the RSA New Contemporaries 2013 exhibition, which showcases the finest emerging artistic talent in Scotland.

To develop her practice further, Sylvia gained a place on the MA in Sound Arts at the London College of Communication.  Her work encompasses the mediums of sound, spatial installation and site-specific performance, working closely with the human voice to capture and interact with space.

Through her work overseas, Sylvia has proved herself to be a strong ambassador for Scottish arts who is confident and receptive to other cultures.

How the Award Helped

Sylvia received support to help her create ambitious new works for the RSA New Contemporaries exhibition, and for her masters studies.

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I am extremely grateful for receiving the Dewar Arts Awards’ support as it has enabled me to develop and pursue my artistic practice and fulfil all of my creative ambitions as a sound artist.

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2013 Awardee: Morwenna Darwell

I feel humbled by the support I have received from the Dewar Arts Awards. The grant has allowed me to take full advantage of my time at The Royal College of Art. Your support went way beyond my expectation, something I feel deeply grateful for.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2013
AGE AT AWARD: 24
ARTFORMS: , ,
WEBSITE:https://cargocollective.com/morwennadarwell
EMAIL:morwenna_darwell@hotmail.co.uk
 

Biography

Morwenna had an unusual childhood, growing up on a vibrant community farm in Dumfries & Galloway, where her family lived with and supported adults with learning difficulties.  Morwenna describes this as a busy and rich environment where she was able to roam freely around the farm and its many creative workshops.

Attracted by the glamour of fashion, Morwenna aspired to become a fashion designer from the age of 10.  She completed a foundation course at the Leith School of Art and then gained a First Class Honors in Fashion from the Edinburgh College of Art.

Morwenna has demonstrated an outstanding ability and talent through her studies and placements, and has won numerous awards for her work.  Her ambition is to become part of a design team at a design house, and ultimately to set up her own label.  She has been described as a ‘name to watch’ for the future of fashion.

How the Award Helped

Morwenna received a Dewar Arts Award to support her in undertaking a two year ‘Masters in Fashion Womenswear’ course at the Royal Collage of Art.

Since the Award

June 2013 – David Band Textile Award (2nd Prize)

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I feel humbled by the support I have received from the Dewar Arts Awards. The grant has allowed me to take full advantage of my time at The Royal College of Art. Your support went way beyond my expectation, something I feel deeply grateful for.

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2013 Awardee: Steaphanaidh Chaimbeul

I feel honoured to receive your invaluable support…and I am determined to make the most of my time at the RNCM with all the opportunities that this award has opened up for me.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2013
AGE AT AWARD: 18
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Born and raised on the Isle of Skye, Steaphanaidh grew up in a large family immersed in Gaelic music and culture. Her parents are both freelance artists, her father being a Gaelic writer and her mother a sculptor.

In 2006, Steaphanaidh became an instrumental pupil at St Mary’s Music School in Edinburgh, studying the clarsach, clarinet, saxophone and Gaelic singing.  Her tutors included Helen Macleod, Catriona McKay and Patsy Seddon. In 2010 she was encouraged to start exploring the pedal harp and was immediately struck by the musical and tonal possibilities she found the instrument could deliver.

Steaphanaidh has played at Celtic Connections with the band Kilairum, at festivals at home and abroad, and on tour with youth orchestras and on the Feis Rois Trad Trail.  In 2010 and 2011 she was a finalist in the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Awards and a semi-finalist at the 2011 BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year.

Steaphanidh is extremely passionate about music and enjoys exploring different genres and instruments, which she feels feeds creativity and spontaneity back into her harp playing.  She writes:

“What I have discovered is that music is always contemporary, no matter how ancient the instrument: the desire of all musicians at all times was (and remains) to articulate the world in which they live.  The harp and clarsach do that for me.”

How the Award Helped

Steaphanidh gained a place at the prestigious Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, studying harp under the tutorship of Eira Lynn-Jones.  She was granted an award to support her studies.

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I feel honoured to receive your invaluable support…and I am determined to make the most of my time at the RNCM with all the opportunities that this award has opened up for me.

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2013 Awardee: Paul Brotherston

Without this award I would not be able to train as a theatre-maker. Simple as that. It really has made all the difference.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2013
AGE AT AWARD: 24
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Originally from Kelso in the Scottish Borders, Paul studied English Literature at the University of Edinburgh and gained a first class honours degree.

During his time as a student, Paul directed a number of critically-acclaimed theatre productions with the Edinburgh University Theatre Company (EUTC) and the Edinburgh University Shakespeare Company (EUSC). Through this experience he proved himself to be a passionate and driven director, demonstrating a desire and ability to push boundaries along with a clear and detailed vision for his work.

Paul has since directed productions for the Tron Theatre, The Arches and The Traverse Theatre, as well as working as an assistant director at Oran Mor and in physical theatre with the Company of Wolves.

How the Award Helped

The award allowed Paul to take up a place on the Classic and Contemporary Text masters course for directors at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland as well as completing a month long residency at Shakespeare’s Globe in London.

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Without this award I would not be able to train as a theatre-maker. Simple as that. It really has made all the difference.

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2013 Awardee: Karen Walker

Dewar Awards literally changed my life. I will be eternally grateful for this opportunity and I will continue to work hard to ensure that one day my dream of performing in a West End musical is not my ultimate goal but my reality.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2013
AGE AT AWARD: 21
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Haling from Glasgow, Karen started her dance training at the age of three and studied jazz and tap, developing a growing passion for stage musicals such as Chicago and Hairspray.  At 16 Karen decided she wanted to make dance her profession and began to take lessons in ballet.  She enrolled at the Anniesland College to study dance, keeping up a number of jobs in the meantime to support herself.  This allowed her to train in a variety of additional disciplines, including contemporary dance, singing and choreography.  She became an active member of the Glasgow dance community, not only by attending workshops and masterclasses to enhance her training, but also by working with and inspiring other dancers.

Through hard work, talent and determination Karen achieved a place on the BA Hons in Theatre Dance at the London Studio Centre, offering her an opportunity to further develop her technique and experience to the level necessary to achieve her ambitions. Karen’s financial circumstances proved a hindrance to accepting the place, and so she applied for a Dewar Arts Award with a glowing recommendation from her tutors.

Karen is described as having outstanding focus, natural ability and musicality with a sense of style that conveys emotion and passion. She is driven to achieve her ambition of performing on stage in London’s West End.

How the Award Helped

Karen received a Dewar Arts Award to support her dance training at the London Studio Centre.

Since the Award

March 2014 – Karen competed against the whole of her college to take part in Move It 2014, and was one of only four second year students to successfully gain a place.  See video below.

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Dewar Awards literally changed my life. I will be eternally grateful for this opportunity and I will continue to work hard to ensure that one day my dream of performing in a West End musical is not my ultimate goal but my reality.

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2013 Awardee: Cara Garton

This award will allow me to focus on developing my flute playing and my studies, and will cultivate my teaching skills for the future.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2013
AGE AT AWARD: 19
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Hailing from Inverness, Cara is a tenacious and committed individual who excels as a flautist.  A natural player with beautiful tone and well-developed technique, Cara’s talent and dedication have ensured she stands out from the crowd.

After studying at Aberdeen City Music School, Cara went on to enrol at The North East of Scotland Music School.  She was awarded a number of scholarships, which supported her ambitions to develop her skills to the highest level.

In 2013, Cara was offered a place to study at the illustrious Guildhall School of Music in London.  This was the natural next step for Cara, whose ambition is to build a career as a professional flautist and flute teacher.

How the Award Helped

Cara received an Award to support her in taking up the offer to study at the Guildhall School of Music.

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This award will allow me to focus on developing my flute playing and my studies, and will cultivate my teaching skills for the future.

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2013 Awardee: Jennifer Neil

It is a massive dream of mine to got to London and the course I have been accepted onto is perfect for me

YEAR OF AWARD: 2013
AGE AT AWARD: 18
ARTFORMS:
 
 
 

Biography

Passionate about musical theatre, Jennifer is a performer with rare talent.  She has a strong voice with a rare ability to sing in any muscal theatre style and bring a song vividly to life.  She also has a flair for acting, particularly comedic, and a natural capacity for dance.

Originally from Cartyne, Glasgow, Jennifer studied at the Dance School of Scotland.  In 2012, she was the recipient of the Singers Company Music Theatre Award and also won First Prize in the Dance School of Scotland’s Vocal Awards.

Jennifer received an offer to study a one-year intensive course at the London School of Musical Theatre.  This was an opportunity for her to develop her skills and take the next step in becoming a professional performer.

How the Award Helped

Jennifer’s Dewar Award funded her course at the London School of Musical Theatre.

Since the Award

In 2022, Jennifer joined the cast of NCL’S Priscilla Queen of the Desert.

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It is a massive dream of mine to got to London and the course I have been accepted onto is perfect for me

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2012 Awardee: Allan Wilson

I am humbled by the faith that has been shown in my work and will...make the most of the time and freedom afforded to me by the Dewar Arts Awards

YEAR OF AWARD: 2012
AGE AT AWARD: 27
ARTFORMS: ,
WEBSITE:https://www.allanwilsonbooks.com/
EMAIL:allan.wilson@hotmail.co.uk
TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/mrallanwilson

Biography

Allan is a talented writer with enormous potential. In 2010, his work was selected from hundreds of applicants to appear in an anthology of stories entitled The Year of Open Doors. The book was edited by renowned author Dr Rodge Glass, who sought to showcase the best in young Scottish writing. He describes Allan as “one of the finest young literary voices in Scotland”.

To develop his skills, Allan enrolled on the Creative Writing Masters Degree Course at Strathclyde University. In 2012, he released his debut collection of short stories, Wasted in Love. This received much critical acclaim, with broadsheet newspapers and established authors praising Allan’s technical ability, honesty and originality. The book was shortlisted for the Scottish Book of the Year 2012.

Based in Glasgow, Allan runs workshops and performs regularly at spoken word events.

“Allan takes risks with his writing. He does not opt for commercial, feelgood material, but instead explores the complexity of human relationships, in all their darkness and ambiguity. His use of language is judicious, sharp and powerful; he has already developed a disciplined editorial eye. He balances humour with shock, warmth with intensity, and as a result Wasted in Love has proven to be one of the best collections of short-stories published in Scotland in the last few years.” Alan Bissett

How the Award Helped

Allan received a Dewar Award to support the writing of his first novel, The Astronaut.

Since the Award

Shortlisted for the Scottish Book Trust Awards 2012

Review of Wasted in Love in The Scotsman

Allan Wilson performing live at Words Per Minute

Allan performing at Literary Death Match

Wasted in Love

“★★★★ A compelling selection of short stories. The characters are vividly brought to life by Wilson’s powerful writing and terse dialogue.” Daily Express

“Out-Joyces Joyce with his celebration of the mundane. This is a writer who pays attention and writes with such vigilance and diligent compassion that you admire and hope for more.” The Scotsman

“Quite frankly, it’s a brilliant book, well crafted, authentic and necessary.” The Skinny

“reads like the real thing… a terrific debut anthology.” Tom Leonard

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I am humbled by the faith that has been shown in my work and will...make the most of the time and freedom afforded to me by the Dewar Arts Awards

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