Awardees - Dewar Awards

Marianne Wilson

After growing up in Glasgow, Marianne studied at the Gray’s School of Art in Aberdeen before returning to her home city to become a self-employed visual artist.

Hailing from a remote area of Stirlingshire, Meredith developed an outstanding ability on the violin and piano from a young age. Her Dewar Award enabled her to travel to and attend the Pre-Junior Academy at the RCS.

Rebecca Wilcox

Considered to be one of the most outstanding young artists working in Scotland today, Rebecca received an award to support her in a prestigious residency at The Banff Centre, Canada.

Ross Brown

Ross is a talented painter who has garnered praise from art collectors and institutions alike. He gained a Dewar Award to help him realise his ambitions for his first solo show.

Ross Hodgkinson

Hailing from Stonehaven, Ross began learning drums at the age of nine. He has since tackled a range of musical genres and has gained a scholarship to Berklee.

Brandon Brown

A guitarist since the age of 8, Brandon gained a 92% Distinction in his Grade 8 at just 15 and has since secured a scholarship to Berklee College of Music, USA.

Nadina Valenti

A gifted and dedicated young dancer from Renfrewshire, Nadina achieved distinctions in all her vocational ballet exams and gained a place at the Central School of Ballet.

Sylvia Law

An innovative sound artist, Sylvia’s rich cultural upbringing brings a strong sense of identity to her work.

Morwenna Darwell

Whilst growing up on community farm in South West Scotland, Morwenna was attracted to the glamour of fashion. She has gone on to become an outstanding talent in fashion design.

Steaphanaidh Chaimbeul

Haling from the Isle of Skye, Steaphanidh grew up surrounded by Gaelic music and culture. She is a passionate musician with a special talent for the harp.

Paul Brotherston

Whilst studying English Literature at Edinburgh University, Paul established himself as a visionary theatre director. The Dewar Awards supported his postgraduate study and a residency at Shakespeare’s Globe.

Karen Walker

Karen’s Dewar Award enabled her to accept a place at the prestigious London Studio Centre, bringing her one step closer to achieving her dream of dancing on stage in the West End.

Cara Garton

Hailing from Inverness, Cara is a tenacious and committed individual who excels as a flautist.

Jennifer Neil

A performer with natural ability in acting, singng and dance, Jennifer’s passion for musical theatre has driven her to succeed in her ambitions.

Allan Wilson

Described as “one of the finest young literary voices in Scotland”, Allan’s work was shortlisted for the Scottish Book of the Year in 2012. He received a Dewar Arts Award to support the writing of his first novel.

Adil Iqbal

Gifted and innovative, Adil is a fashion designer from Edinburgh who seeks to explore cross cultural collaboration through textile art.

Alistair Hewitt

Alistair is a young accordionist with great promise. He has won numerous competitions and is dedicated to developing his skills as a musician.

Chris Dyson

Chris is a skilled artist who works with sculpture, film and photography. His contribution to Scottish contemporary arts earned him a coveted scholarship to study at CalArts in the USA.

Gavin McCaig

An accomplished ballet dancer, Gavin has studied at the Dance School of Scotland, the English National Ballet School and the Prague Masterclasses.

Peter Longworth

A former principal trumpet of the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland, Peter has gone on to become an outstanding young composer, working at the very highest level.

Ella Victoria Robb (Victoria Marella Leech)

A member of the Scottish Youth Theatre from a young age, Ella’s dedication to learning her craft gained her a place at the Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance.

Bethany Crockett

A dedicated pianist with innate musicality, Bethany gained a Dewar Award to support her studies at the Royal Northern College of Music.

Lyndsey Gilmour

An especially skilled painter from Lanarkshire, Lyndsey’s Dewar Award enabled her to study at the world-renowned Slade School of Fine Art.

James Hardie

From the age of nine James dreamt of gaining an organ scholarship to study at Oxford University. With support from the Dewar Awards he achieved his ambition.

Martha Hayward

A strong and confident soprano performer, Martha overcame adversity to pursue her ambitions in music.

Chrissie Ardill

Chrissie moved from Ireland to Glasgow, determined to build a successful career in dance. When she gained a place on a bursary scheme at Dance Base Edinburgh, the Dewar Awards funded her travel between the two cities.

Roz McAndrew

A talented actress, Roz is a motivated and determined individual who has shown resilience and dedication while pursuing her ambitions.

Andy Macleman

A truly exceptional talent, Andy’s award enabled him to accept a prestigious apprenticeship with one of the UK’s leading dance companies.

Greg Grant

Despite challenging circumstances, Greg financed himself through his studies to become a an exceptional artist with a focus on social engagement.

Lyndsay McNeill

Lyndsay’s ambition is to become an independent fashion designer. She aims to create “an alternative minimalism, where complex cutting and fabric manipulation combine to create a groundbreaking tailored collection of exclusive garments”.

Philip Sharp

A virtuoso pianist, Philip received support to study on a prestigious ‘joint course’ at Manchester University and the Royal Northern College of Music.

Mark Taylor

Mark is an exceptionally talented flautist with a flair for performance and a strong motivation to succeed.

Sarah Park

A talented pianist from Edinburgh, Sarah received an Award to support her studies at the Royal College of Music.

Lliam Paterson

Originally from Ellon, Aberdeenshire, Lliam showed an immense aptitude for the piano from a young age. He shines as a composer, conductor, recitalist and accompanist.

Steven Ferguson

Through hard work and immense talent, Steven gained a place on his dream course at the National Film and Television School.

Kyle Spires

Fashion designer Kyle received an Award to support his innovative final collection for an MA in Womenswear.

Jessica Ashman

BAFTA-winning director Jessica has a passion for sharing stories and experiences through animation.

Gillian Park

A natural storyteller with a flair for comedy and a powerful, original voice, Gillian’s work reflects her Scottish background with a warmth, vigour and authenticity.

Heather Ross

A graduate of Gray’s School of Art, Heather returned as a lecturer before developing her practice through a masters at the Chelsea College of Art.

Calum Huggan

Raised in Lenzie, Calum began studying music at the RSAMD Junior Academy where his talent was first spotted. He went on to graduate from RSAMD Senior Academy with a first-class degree in timpani and percussion.

Cheryl McConachie

Born and brought up in Elgin, Cheryl went to school at Elgin Academy where she won the first ‘Star Writer’ award. She has aspired to be a writer from a young age.

Deborah Rudden

Hailing from East Kilbride, Deborah made her solo debut aged 16 singing with the RNSO in Edinburgh’s Usher Hall. She has since developed into a singer of considerable talent and potential.

Hayley Johnson

Glasgow-born Hayley learnt to dance at the age of three and by age five was winning competition medals and prizes.

Isabella Swietlicki

Isabella is a very gifted dancer with a wonderful natural facility for classical dance and a mature technique. The Awards have supported her studies from Ballet West through to the English National Ballet School.

Jennifer MacCallum

Jennifer is a very talented viola player who will shine as a chamber musician. As a performer she is both commanding and imaginative. She is passionate about orchestral playing.

Jordan Blackwood

Jordan has been an enthusiastic member of the Paisley-based PACE Youth Theatre from a young age, rising through the ranks to become a Drama Worker during his gap year.

Natalie Montakhab

Recipient of an award in 2007 and in 2010, Lancashire-born Natalie joins the newly-formed Welsh International Academy of Voice for a year to prepare for her launch into a professional career in opera.

Kirsty Hendry

Kirsty is a printmaker of real talent with the potential to become a leader in the field in the future. Her ambition is to return to Scotland to invest her skills in printmaking into the Scottish art scene and to keep printmaking alive in Scotland.

Philip Todd

Philip possesses a wide range of talents and skills and is ‘something of a Renaissance man’ in that he sings, plays a musical instrument, dances, acts, aspires to direct films and speaks Gaelic.

Natalie Ibu

Edinburgh-born Natalie is Artistic Director of her own company We Were Here, a creative ensemble for emerging practitioners seeking to develop their craft through experimentation and exploration.