2020 Awardee: Ryan MacKenzie

ryan mackenzie musician

"Doing a Master’s degree is the best thing I could have done for myself right now, and it wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the Dewar Arts Awards. Thank you!"

Biography

Raised in Buckie, around the coast from Aberdeen, Ryan grew up surrounded by Strathspey’s rich folk music scene. He went on to study piano at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland with Nadia Boulanger alumnus Norman Beedie, before moving to London. Here he spent a couple of years in high demand as a music director and session player, before studying for a Master’s degree in composition and arranging at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

As a pianist and keyboard player, Ryan’s concert work has included such celebrated productions as BBC Children in Need, Time Flies: 100 Years of the RAF, the West End Does series, and the RSNO’s annual St. Andrews Night celebrations.

His musical theatre credits include Les Misérables (International Tour), Guys and Dolls (Savoy Theatre & UK Tour), West Side Story (International Tour), Mary Poppins (International Tour), and a workshop of Starlight Express with Andrew Lloyd Webber and Arlene Phillips. And as an arranger and orchestrator, he has written for some of the country’s most prolific ensembles, including the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, and Scottish Chamber Orchestra.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award has enabled Ryan to continue his piano studies at Masters Degree level.

ryan mackenzie musician

"Doing a Master’s degree is the best thing I could have done for myself right now, and it wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the Dewar Arts Awards. Thank you!"