Biography

Hailing from Paisley, Yvonne took up playing the flute at school at the age of 9. She auditioned for and was accepted into the Music School of Douglas Academy where she continued her musical studies. She then went on to study music at the Royal College of Music in London, graduating in 2006 with a first class degree.

While at the RCM, Yvonne was principal flute in the College’s Sinfonietta and Symphony Orchestras and with them had the opportunity to perform at the BCC Proms, the Concertgebouw, Amsterdam, the Concerthaus Berlin and the Birmingham City Hall. Yvonne regularly performs in a trio of guitar, piano and flute.

Yvonne played solo flute with pop group ‘McFly’ on their 2005 UK Arena tour and on their 2005 Comic Relief single. In 2006 she was invited to perform at the renowned BASBWE Festival as a soloist in the Marco Putz Concerto.

Currently, Yvonne is on a scholarship-funded place on the Masters Course at the RSAMD, Glasgow.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award will enable Yvonne to purchase a professional piccolo (small flute).

Since the Award

Subsequently, Yvonne auditioned for, and won apprenticeships with, Scottish Opera and BBC SSO, which led to her first professional engagement as principal piccolo for the BBC SSO. Competition and scholarship successes include being finalist in the 2009 Royal Overseas League Music Competition (Wind Section), 2nd prize overall in the 2008 “Performing Australian Music Competition”, the RSAMD Governors’ Chamber Music Prize and John McGregor Flute Prize for outstanding achievement.

Yvonne writes, “I owe Dewar Arts Awards huge thanks because my dream of playing in a professional orchestra wouldn’t have come true without the help you gave.”