2006 Awardee: Lauren MacColl

YEAR OF AWARD: 2006
AGE AT AWARD: 20
ARTFORMS: ,
WEBSITE:https://www.laurenmaccoll.co.uk
EMAIL:lauren@laurenmaccoll.co.uk
TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/laurenmaccoll1

Biography

In the words of one of the leading teachers of Scottish Traditional Music, Lauren is “quite simply the best I have ever seen”.

Lauren was brought up in Fortrose in the Black Isle and is musically rooted in the traditional music of the Highlands.

She made an impressive start to her early music career by winning the 2004 BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Musician of the Year award, while still a student at the RSAMD in Glasgow. Her success highlighted not only her technical ability, but an emotional maturity well beyond her years.

After winning the prestigious title, Lauren made a notable appearance at the Cambridge Folk Festival, considered to be the jewel among the international folk festivals.

The next logical step in her burgeoning career was to produce a marketable CD, which would also afford her the opportunity to experiment and grow musically.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Awards enabled Lauren to produce a debut CD to showcase her exceptional musical talent.

Since the Award

Lauren’s debut CD, “When Leaves Fall”, was launched in March 2007.  A subsequently album “Strewn with Ribbons” was released in May 2009. In late 2009 she was nominated for the “Instrumentalist of the Year” at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards.  For further information, see www.laurenmaccoll.co.uk.

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2006 Awardee: Adam Clifford

I would like to thank the trustees for the generous Dewar Award. I am delighted to accept

YEAR OF AWARD: 2006
AGE AT AWARD: 19
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Adam is one of the many talented former pupils of the City of Edinburgh Music School at Broughton supported by an Award.

In 2003 he won the John Macleod award for composition at the Edinburgh Competition Festival. In 2004 he reached the percussion finals of the BBC Young Musician of the Year competition and in the same year went on to win the Traves Trophy for a half-hour recital, open to all instruments.

He is currently studying music at the Royal Academy of Music in London, where he won an entrance scholarship. For three years Adam has performed in the resident orchestra at the MusicaRiva Festival in Northern Italy, with members of La Scala, Milan. He is also a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland, their contemporary music ensemble NYOS Futures and Camerata Scotland.

As well as being an accomplished orchestral percussionist already, Adam’s real passion is for solo percussion.

Adam is considered to be a gifted, thoughtful and original musician who has the potential to reach the top of his field.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award is helping towards Adam’s considerable maintenance expenses whilst a student in London.

Since the Award

Adam completed his undergraduate studies at the Royal Academy of Music with first-class honours. Adam’s final year was packed with ‘great and new experiences’, during which he performed his first professional solo recital in London.

At the end of the year, Adam was awarded the Meaker Fellowship by the Academy which involves various responsibilities within the percussion department. Adam’s tutors describe him as ‘talented and outstanding’ and view his undergraduate years as ‘a total success story’.

10/11/13 – Adam performs with composer Steve Reich. Further details here.

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I would like to thank the trustees for the generous Dewar Award. I am delighted to accept

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2006 Awardee: Amelie Addison

Thank you again for the award, every day I appreciate more and more what a wonderful opportunity it is to be here. I’m making every effort to make the very best of it in every way

YEAR OF AWARD: 2006
AGE AT AWARD: 22
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Amelie started playing the cello as a child when her lessons were subsidised by the local authority and her cello was borrowed from the school.

Originally from Newcastle upon Tyne, Amelie came to Scotland in 2001 to study at the RSAMD, Glasgow.
In her third year Amelie took up the baroque cello, which was particularly suited to her style of playing, and became the premier practitioner of the instrument at the School.

She has been accepted onto the masters course at Trinity College, London to study baroque cello further. Her tutor at RSAMD sees in Amelie a strong and clear desire to communicate through music and believes that she has something worthwhile to say.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award is helping towards Amelie’s accommodation costs at Trinity College.

Since the Award

In 2010 Amelie graduated with a Master of Music in Baroque cello, with distinction. She continues to work as a freelance performer and teacher.

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Thank you again for the award, every day I appreciate more and more what a wonderful opportunity it is to be here. I’m making every effort to make the very best of it in every way

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2006 Awardee: Arlene Macfarlane

Having the Award will now allow me to buy the best trombone on the market that I will use for the rest of my career. It is a very exciting prospect

YEAR OF AWARD: 2006
AGE AT AWARD: 23
ARTFORMS: ,
WEBSITE:https://www.thistlebrass.com
 
 

Biography

From West Lothian, Arlene began playing the trombone at 11 and hasn’t looked back since. She joined a local brass band and in 1996 joined the brass department of the Junior RSAMD.  She was a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland for four years.

Arlene went on to study music at the RSAMD, Glasgow.  She graduated with a first, passed the Postgraduate Diploma in Performance with distinction and continued on to study for a Masters Degree in Performance, which she also gained with distinction.

Arlene has distinguished herself further by winning several prestigious competitions. As part of a brass quintet, she won the Mary D Adams Chamber Music Prize in 2003 and an MBF Ensemble Award in 2005. As a soloist, her prizes and awards include the 2003 Governor’s Recital Prize for Brass, the Robert Crief Memorial Prize for Brass and the prestigious Charles Leggett Award in 2004, which is competed for annually by the best brass players from all the UK conservatoires.

Arlene has worked with most of the leading Scottish orchestras and has appeared as a soloist on several occasions.  She is a founding member of Thistle Brass which is fast making a name for itself as one of Scotland’s most exciting and innovative young chamber ensembles.

Arlene achieved all of this playing the trombone her parents bought her when she was 12. For further information, see www.thistlebrass.com.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award bought Arlene a performance quality trombone.

Since the Award

Since receiving her Award Arlene has toured Texas, Washington, Lithuania, Germany, Cayman Islands and Holland. With Thistle Brass she released a debut CD in 2008 and now has a busy schedule of concerts and workshops. Arlene writes that “my instrument now works with me rather than against me. I now know what works best and what doesn’t. Having the freedom and flexibility to make subtle changes makes a real difference. Certain technical things on the trombone are now easier to achieve with a high quality instrument.”

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Having the Award will now allow me to buy the best trombone on the market that I will use for the rest of my career. It is a very exciting prospect

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2006 Awardee: Barbara Misiewicz

I would like to express my strong appreciation … Not only will the award make me challenge myself to work towards a great progress in cello playing but also let me focus concentration on my studies.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2006
AGE AT AWARD: 20
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Barbara Misiewicz was born and brought up in Elblag, Poland. She came to this country in order to pursue her studies in cello at the RSAMD, Glasgow.

When she was seven, Barbara began studying cello with Russian cellist Oleg Studnicki at Poland’s national music school. From the start she impressed as a young musician of enormous talent and potential. As she was growing up, she competed successfully in many national and international competitions, including the Justus Johann Friedrich Dotzauer International Competition in Dresden.

Barbara, aged 20, has already impressed her Scottish teachers with her innate musicality, beautiful tone and rare gift to communicate with her audience. She recently performed solo at the opening of the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and at the Mozart Festival in Schwetzingen, Germany. In December 2006 she joined the Scottish Ensemble winter tour of Scotland. In January 2007 Barbara played with the Scottish Opera orchestra for performances of Ravel and Puccini operas.

How the Award Helped

Shortly after she arrived in Glasgow, a family tragedy threatened to cut short her studies and possibly deprive us of an exceptionally talented musician. The Dewar Arts Award is helping to support Barbara while she finishes her music degree.

Since the Award

As an undergraduate, Barbara won the Iain D Watt Award and the Dunbar Gerber Competition at the RSAMD and the John McInulty Prize for Orchestral String Playing. In 2009 she won the Craxton Memorial Prize as well as an award from the Elblag Cultural Society.

Barbara graduated with a degree in music in 2009 and is now carving out a career for herself as a soloist, chamber musician and orchestral player. She writes that “coming from Poland, I heard so much about great British orchestras and their ways of working: playing with a blended sound and being incredibly fast at reading music. It is fantastic to experience it from within a British orchestra itself.” Barbara has been invited to the final round of 2010 auditions for the European Union Youth Orchestra.

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I would like to express my strong appreciation … Not only will the award make me challenge myself to work towards a great progress in cello playing but also let me focus concentration on my studies.

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2006 Awardee: Christina Lawrie

The interaction of the creative arts fascinates me and it is this that drew me to Das Jahr. My love of literature and drama is something I like to bring into my playing, I think audiences appreciate that

YEAR OF AWARD: 2006
AGE AT AWARD: 29
ARTFORMS: ,
WEBSITE:https://www.christinalawrie.co.uk
 
 

Biography

Christina studied first at Chetham’s School of Music and then went on to read music at Trinity College, Cambridge.  After graduation, the Royal College of Music awarded her a Leverhulme Postgraduate Studentship to study with Yonty Solomon.  Christina also worked with Vanessa Latarche at the Royal Academy of Music.

In 2005 Christina was invited to perform recitals at both the Wigmore Hall, London as part of the Monday Platform Series for “the very best emerging artists” and The Purcell Room, London as part of the South Bank Centre’s Fresh Young Musician’s platform for “today’s most talented new musicians”. Both recitals received critical acclaim.

In the same year, other engagements included two live BBC Radio 3 broadcasts, a performance at Bellapais International Festival in Cyprus, and recitals in the new Perth concert hall and at St George’s Bristol.

At the Purcell Room recital, Christina, a native of Broughty Ferry, performed work by Fanny Mendelssohn, Das Jahr, and was thrilled to discover later that Fanny’s great-great-great-granddaughter was in the audience. Christina has won a host of prizes on a national and international level, including being a prizewinner at the Marsala International Piano Competition and winning the RAM’s Postgraduate Piano Recital Prize.

For further information see www.christinalawrie.co.uk.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award helped to cover Christina’s considerable expenses in relation to the recitals.

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The interaction of the creative arts fascinates me and it is this that drew me to Das Jahr. My love of literature and drama is something I like to bring into my playing, I think audiences appreciate that

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2006 Awardee: Bethan Newman

YEAR OF AWARD: 2006
AGE AT AWARD: 16
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Bethan entered St Mary’s Music School as a violinist, taught by her father, and then became interested in the viola.

Her teacher was immediately struck by the speed with which she took to the viola, experiencing none of the difficulties that players often struggle with when switching from violin to viola, and immediately producing a beautiful, rich viola sound.

Bethan, who was brought up in Orkney, possesses a solid technique and strong sense of musical expression. Her teacher is delighted with the way she is developing an individual way of expressing her innate musicality on the viola. The only thing holding her back is the lack of an instrument to play on.

There are very few violists training currently, and so talented violists like Bethan need to be encouraged and nurtured.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Awards enabled Bethan to buy a viola for her future career.

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2006 Awardee: Claire Wheeldon

I am ecstatic, and cannot thank the trustees enough! It will make an incredible difference to the year ahead

YEAR OF AWARD: 2006
AGE AT AWARD: 29
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Claire graduated from Edinburgh College of Art with a first-class degree. While at art college she won two achievement prizes and was the first student winner of the prestigious Schweppes Award (formerly: John Kobal Portrait Award).

In 2002 she was the youngest artist commissioned to create artwork for the Scottish Parliament, producing a stunning series of photographs entitled Inclusion.

After working as a freelance photographer – one of her commissions was to photograph the former director of the National Portrait Gallery, Charles Saumerez Smith, and the staff of the gallery – she won a place on the Masters course in Fine Art Photography at the Royal College of Art, London.

Claire, who was brought up in Broomhill in Glasgow, is an extremely talented photographer who has already won admiration and notice for her work.

She has recently been commissioned by the charity Make Poverty History to travel overseas to produce work for their Poverty Ticker Screensaver project.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award will go towards Claire’s tuition fees and photographic expenses.

Since the Award

Claire successfully gained an MA in Photography.

She writes that “in the desire to break from my previous working practice and find new ways of working, I branched into video as a way of exploring my ideas and concerns. I found this very challenging, as it was a break in the control and direction I had previously employed in my work.”

One of Claire’s videos, ‘Samantha Singing’ was shown in the monumental 150th anniversary of all the South Kensington cultural and education institutions, from the V&A Museum to the RCA. The two-week exhibition had over 10,000 visitors. Subsequently, Claire was invited to show her video at the ‘Late at Tate’ event at Tate Britain, alongside artist Bruce McLean and human rights activist, Peter Tatchell. Claire’s video of ‘Samantha Singing’ was also shown at the Dewar Arts Award 10th anniversary Showcase, much to everyone’s evident enjoyment.

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I am ecstatic, and cannot thank the trustees enough! It will make an incredible difference to the year ahead

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2006 Awardee: Connor Oldroyd

Connor is absolutely delighted... this will open many doors for him as he will now be able to reach his full potential on an instrument that will not hold him back. (Kirsty Berriman, mother)

YEAR OF AWARD: 2006
AGE AT AWARD: 13
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

At an early age Connor developed a great love for music. He’s been playing the piano for five years and the bassoon for four and has progressed rapidly on both instruments, well ahead of his contemporaries.
As well as being technically advanced, Connor has impressed his teacher with his extreme musicality and musical maturity and sensitivity, which is unusual in someone of his young age.

Connor plays in four bands, including West Lothian’s School Wind Ensemble, and has recently joined the Boghall and Bathgate Caledonian Pipe Band to learn to play the bagpipes.

Currently in the junior department of the RSAMD, Connor’s goal is to take a music degree at the RSAMD. He plays in the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland.

How the Award Helped

Recently his teacher pointed out that his current bassoon had passed its best and was actively holding him back from progressing further. The Dewar Arts Award enabled Connor to buy a performance standard bassoon.

Since the Award

Connor writes that after trying out his new bassoon the difference in advanced keywork and tone from his old one ‘was staggering’. He thinks it will last him through his student years and beyond, and believes that it has already improved his technicality and musicianship. Connor received an invitation to join the Edinburgh Youth Orchestra summer course, which he attributes directly to his improved playing and achievements since getting his new bassoon.

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Connor is absolutely delighted... this will open many doors for him as he will now be able to reach his full potential on an instrument that will not hold him back. (Kirsty Berriman, mother)

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2006 Awardee: Connor Sinclair

He is completely thrilled. This means so much to us as he can now receive tuition from the best of the best, which at his age will make a huge difference (Katrina Sinclair, mother)

YEAR OF AWARD: 2006
AGE AT AWARD: 9
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Connor Sinclair is the youngest winner of a Dewar Arts Award.

The director of the National Young Pipe Band of Scotland looks for the very best to join his band. The key criteria being ability, character and commitment, which, he says, Connor has in abundance. “To find someone who has these qualities at this high standard at such a young age is without doubt a sign of something very special.”

From Crieff, Perthshire, Connor is the youngest of five boys. He is passionate about piping and spent his ninth birthday money on highland dress so that he could enter solo piping competitions. He has already achieved success, often competing against youngsters considerably older than him.

Connor hopes to make music his career, and to that end is learning to play the violin and piano to help him gain entry to a musical secondary school.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award funded tuition on the Highland pipes, and the associated travel costs, at the Piping Centre in Glasgow.

Since the Award

As a result of the tuition, Connor’s mother writes that his confidence has grown. Through a chance meeting, Connor has formed a friendship with First Minister, Alex Salmond, who has subsequently requested Connor pipe him into various functions. Connor was also invited to play at the Glasgow auditions for the X Factor ‘to give them a Scottish feel’, and of course he played at our own 10th anniversary Showcase.

Connor is now a pupil of the City of Edinburgh Music School and has enjoyed successes in many Scottish piping competitions. At the Perthshire Music Festival he was awarded the highest score so far awarded in any of the classes.

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He is completely thrilled. This means so much to us as he can now receive tuition from the best of the best, which at his age will make a huge difference (Katrina Sinclair, mother)

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