2008 Awardee: Laura Sergeant
The ‘cello [I am buying] is one of the nicest I have played …..I am incredibly grateful for this award.
Biography
From Larbert, in Stirlingshire, Laura is currently studying ‘cello at the RSAMD, Glasgow. She is a member of the Nova String Quartet which was formed in 2006 by a group of students at the RSAMD. Laura previously attended the RSAMD Junior Academy where she showed outstanding potential as a ‘cellist and was awarded a scholarship.
Laura is a member of the NYOS, where she leads the ‘cello section, and has played with the prestigious Camerata Scotland. She won the Forth Valley arts festival in 2005 and last year won the Rotary International Young Musician award for Central Scotland.
In 2007 she toured Scotland in an apprenticeship scheme with the Scottish Ensemble and Raphael Wallfisch. In 2008 she attends the Singapore National Youth Orchestra Chamber Music Festival.
How the Award Helped
The Dewar Arts Award will contribute towards the purchase of a professional standard ‘cello which Laura needs to support her career as a musician.
Since the Award
Subsequently, Laura wrote to say that after a long time of searching for the right cello, she eventually bought one from one of her tutors. She writes, “as I progress as a cellist, I am able to find new sounds which were not available on the lower quality instrument I previously owned.” Laura is currently continuing her studies in Bremen with renowned Scottish cellist, Alexander Baillie.
The ‘cello [I am buying] is one of the nicest I have played …..I am incredibly grateful for this award.