2015 Awardee: Harris Beattie

Harris Beattie

"I have benefited extremely from this award. It has given me a great deal of financial security [without] which I could not have fulfilled my course with full dedication...I am forever grateful for the trustees and can’t stress how much it has helped me through my course"

Biography

Harris is an exceptional dancer and talented choreographer from Aberdeen.  He trained at the ‘Danscentre’ and attained Advanced 2 Ballet with Distinction before gaining a place to study at the Central School of Ballet in London. In 2012-2013, he played ‘Billy Elliot’ in London’s West End.

In advance of gaining his Dewar Arts Award, Harris had already trained for 10 years and collected the following impressive achievements:

  • Commonwealth Dance Festival 2014, Tramway Glasgow
  • Dance Proms 2013 and 2015
  • Royal Ballet Senior Associate 2014-2015
  • Joint winner of the UK Classical Ballet Competition ‘Phyllis Bedell’s Bursary’ in March 2015
  • Auditioned and participated in YDE (Youth Dance England) ‘Young Creatives’ at Royal Ballet School 2015
  • Choreographed the winning entry in national competition Genee Dance Challenge in June 2015
  • Accepted to attend Royal Ballet Summer School in August 2015
  • Participated in Genee International Ballet competition in September 2015

How the Award Helped

Harris received a Dewar Arts Award to support his studies at the Central School of Ballet.

Since the Award

2017 – Won the prestigious Gold medal at the Genée International Ballet Competition

2018 – Graduated from the Central School of Ballet with BA (Hons) in Professional Dance and Performance.

2018 – Joined the prestigious Northern Ballet.

Additional performance experience includes works by Wayne McGregor, Kenneth MacMillan, Matthew Bourne and Jenna Lee with Ballet Central.

Harris Beattie Dancing

Harris Beattie

"I have benefited extremely from this award. It has given me a great deal of financial security [without] which I could not have fulfilled my course with full dedication...I am forever grateful for the trustees and can’t stress how much it has helped me through my course"