2007 Awardee: Charlotte Mackechnie

Thank you so much for this award; each pound helps me get closer to the violin of my dreams (as corny as it sounds it is true!).

YEAR OF AWARD: 2007
AGE AT AWARD: 14
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Charlotte is passionate about music. Her first TV appearance was at the age of five when she sang a solo alongside Carol Smillie.

Charlotte began playing the violin at the age of eight and piano when she was ten. She is also a very promising singer and in 2007 became a member of the National Youth Choir of Scotland. In the same year Charlotte won the BBC Radio 2 Young Chorister of the Year competition.

Since 2004 she has been a student of the RSAMD, Glasgow Junior Academy where she is co-principal second violin of the First Orchestra. Since 2006 she has been part of the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland. She is also a member of the Junior Chorus of the RSNO, the Starlight Youth Music Theatre, the National Youth String Orchestra of Scotland and the West of Scotland Schools Symphony Orchestra.

Her ambition is to become a professional musician, and already Charlotte shows ability and potential above her years. Her dream is to buy a violin of the quality of the Benjamin Banks violin she has had on loan for some time.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award was given to contribute towards the purchase of the purchase of a professional standard violin.

Since the Award

Pooling her Dewar Arts Award with other scholarships and awards, Charlotte was able to buy a violin by 18th century maker, Benjamin Banks. Since then she gained ABRSM Grade 8 distinction and, amongst other achievements, was highly commended in the Nan Christie Memorial Cup for Strings Open Violin competition at RSAMD.

Charlotte has also begun composing and won the opportunity to compose a short chamber music work under the tutelage of John Maxwell Geddes. Her work was subsequently performed by the Paragon Ensemble in 2008.

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Thank you so much for this award; each pound helps me get closer to the violin of my dreams (as corny as it sounds it is true!).

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2007 Awardee: Cheryl Turner

I will use this opportunity to the best of my ability and I am so grateful to you all.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2007
AGE AT AWARD: 13
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Cheryl is the sixth generation of traditional musicians in her family, an unbroken lineage dating back to the early 1800’s in County Donegal in Ireland. She plays accordion and fiddle, as well as clàrsach, which she started to learn when she was 11. Initially she used a full-size school clàrsach which she shared with five other pupils. Once every three weeks she was able to take it home to practise.

Despite this major drawback, Cheryl has had success in the many Feis and Fleadhs she’s taken part in. In 2006 she won first place at the All Scotland and second at the All Britain in clàrsach. She won first at the Scottish and British Fleadhs in accordion, ceili band and Groupai Ceol for the under 12’s. Cheryl is a member of the East Renfrewshire folk group and is also a member of St Roch’s Ceili band of the Irish Minstrels, Comhaltas.

Coming from a musical family, Cheryl has been encouraged to play music from an early age and is a confident and pleasing performer. She has regular lessons with Gillian Fleetwood and attends workshops whenever she can to develop her musicianship.

In the current vibrant traditional music scene in Scotland, Cheryl stands out as one of Scotland’s bright young talents for her age. She is talented, dedicated and ambitious to be a musician.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award will enable Cheryl to buy her own clàrsach.

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I will use this opportunity to the best of my ability and I am so grateful to you all.

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2007 Awardee: Christina Corfield

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the trustees. Their support is deeply appreciated.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2007
AGE AT AWARD: 26
ARTFORMS:
 
 
 

Biography

Bristol-born Christina Corfield moved to Glasgow to study art at the Glasgow School of Art. After graduation in 2003, she stayed on in Glasgow, attracted by the vibrant, challenging and active art scene in the city. At her degree show, Christina won the British Airways Glasgow Student Travel Award which allowed her to spend two weeks in Madrid visiting the Prado and other large museum collections.

Christina is now working as a freelance artist and dedicated to her practice as a visual artist. As a student she displayed the ability to question and critique her work and push it into new territory, both in relation to ideas and methods. Having developed her practice to become stronger and more diverse, now is the time for Christina to continue her studies to take her work to new levels of achievement.

Going abroad to pursue a Masters will help expand Christina’s horizons. She says that as a Briton in the USA, she will be helped to understand the cultural context of her work and become aware of broader issues in art-making and reception. Christina plans to return to Glasgow after completing her studies in San Francisco and help to establish new links between the two cities through exhibitions and residencies.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award supports Christina for the first year of study towards a Master of Fine Art at the San Francisco Art Institute.

Since the Award

During her first year, Christine had three exhibitions in the student galleries of the Art Institute and outside the Institute her work was screened at the ‘Evergold Gallery’ in San Francisco. Christina continues her studies towards a Master of Fine Art.

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I would like to take this opportunity to thank the trustees. Their support is deeply appreciated.

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2007 Awardee: Christina Knox

I am very excited to have had my nomination accepted … Thank you so much for the opportunity you’ve given me!

YEAR OF AWARD: 2007
AGE AT AWARD: 20
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Glasgow-born Christina Knox started to learn the violin at the age of six and has immersed herself in musical activities since then. She has performed with Scotland’s Children’s and Youth Orchestras, NYOS Futures and the prestigious Camerata Scotland, where she was leader on its summer tour in 2006. In 2001 she won a scholarship from the Glasgow Music Festival to attend a European Youth Summer Music Course, and two years’ running she won the St Mungo Trophy and the Grace Dick Memorial Prize for String Playing.

Christina is currently on a joint course at the University of Manchester and the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester where she is achieving success. In her first and second years at College she won the Hargreaves Fund Prize for coming top of the year. Christina is particularly passionate about chamber music and regularly performs recitals in and around Manchester with her string quartet. Her long-term ambition is to become a top-flight performer in Scotland.

Christina has been playing with a bow which was bought a long time ago. In order to achieve her full potential she needs a professional bow to take her into her career.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award enabled Christina to purchase such a professional-quality violin bow.

Since the Award

Subsequently, Christina gained a first class degree from the University of Manchester and plans to pursue postgraduate study in performance. She has given solo recitals with the Telemann Ensemble in Glasgow and Millport, travelled to Norway with Camerata Scotland and studied for three months at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music with the renowned Polish violinist, Wanda Wilkomirska. She performs regularly with her quartet, the Albion String Quartet.

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I am very excited to have had my nomination accepted … Thank you so much for the opportunity you’ve given me!

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2007 Awardee: Christopher Maxwell

I am extremely grateful to the trustees.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2007
AGE AT AWARD: 21
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Hailing from East Kilbride, Chris Maxwell is focussed on a career in the film industry behind the camera. His career goal is to become Director of Photography.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Awards enabled Christopher to attend short courses at the NFTVS, Beaconsfield.

Since the Award

Chris attended two short courses at NFTS: Camera Familiarisation and Shooting on HD. He writes that the course was excellent for the content, the equipment he was able to use and gain experience on and the expert tuition he received from top professionals.

After observing him on the courses, his tutor strongly encouraged Chris in his career ambition to become a cinematographer.

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I am extremely grateful to the trustees.

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2007 Awardee: Christopher Murray

I am delighted to accept the Dewar Arts Award.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2007
AGE AT AWARD: 23
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Hailing from Glenrothes, Chris Murray studied film and media at Stirling University. As a student he impressed as one of the best thinkers and practitioners about aspects of film-making, especially editing, of his year and demonstrated real creative potential.

From there Chris went on to volunteer for a year, under the auspices of Project Scotland, for Boxstar, the West Lothian Youth Theatre film and media facility. During that year Chris worked on 15 film productions, including So now you can vote!, a short film designed to encourage teenagers to use their vote, contracted by West Lothian Council.

While there, Boxstar staff say that “he developed an in house edit style for the organisation which has resulted in the quantity and quality of our film-making improving significantly.” This also had the beneficial effect of encouraging more young people to get involved in film-making as the quality of the end product improved.

Chris impressed Boxstar so much that they offered him a full-time job at the end of his year. His ambition is to become a top-class film editor, working within the emerging Scottish film industry.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award funds Chris to attend a short course on film editing at the Metropolitan Film School in London.

Since the Award

Christopher successfully completed the short course on film editing. He writes that technically he is much more proficient with the editing software than before he started the course, artistically his knowledge of film has been broadened and he is more focused on his future career ambitions.

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I am delighted to accept the Dewar Arts Award.

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2007 Awardee: Coline Scobie

I would just like to say thank you immensely for your award … I am overwhelmed .. and cannot express my gratitude enough.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2007
AGE AT AWARD: 16
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Edinburgh-born Colin was brought up in Peebles in the Scottish Borders. He won an assisted place at St Mary’s Music School, Edinburgh, where he studies violin, viola and composition. Since the age of ten Colin has been set on a career in classical music performance. Towards that end, his ambition is to study music at one of the London music conservatoires.

Colin led the NYOS Strings in their 2007 Spring concert and performs with the RSAMD Orchestra, the Salomon Chamber Orchestra and the Yetholm Sinfonia. He is leader of the Borders Chamber Orchestra and has co-led the Peebles Orchestra. He also leads both the orchestra and the top quartet in St Mary’s Music School. In earlier years, he performed with Scotland’s Children’s and Youth Orchestras. Colin recently held his first solo recital in Cumbria.

Colin currently plays on a borrowed violin. He is considered to be an exceptionally gifted young violinist both technically and musically and one of the most able violinists in the School.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award enabled Colin to buy a quality violin to take into his studies and performing career.

Since the Award

Colin writes that having a new violin and bow has changed his career and life. He successfully auditioned for the Royal College of Music studying with Donna-Lee Croft. He played in many college ensembles and co-led the string ensemble. He sat as leader in a number of student-run orchestras and set up and conducts an orchestra in Ealing Abbey. Colin writes, “I feel that most of this would not have been possible if I had not been able to purchase my new violin; it has also improved vastly over the year and is sounding fantastic.”

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I would just like to say thank you immensely for your award … I am overwhelmed .. and cannot express my gratitude enough.

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2007 Awardee: Craig Creelman

I would like to thank the trustees for their consideration and would like to tell you how much this award will help me.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2007
AGE AT AWARD: 22
ARTFORMS:
 
 
 

Biography

Hailing from Port Glasgow, Craig first started studying dance at Anniesland College. His talent quickly shone through when his choreographed piece ‘Three’s a Crowd’ won gold in both the UK Skills Challenge and Craftex UK. He performed in Barcelona at the International Dance Grand Prix with the successful hip hop troupe which won the gold medal. In his last year at Anniesland, he won the Chairman’s Award, given to the most outstanding student of the year.

Since a young child Craig has wanted to perform. While at Anniesland College his choreographic work stood out as original and imaginative. His combination of natural facility, musicality and sheer hard work enabled Craig to make huge improvements to his dance technique. Winning a place at the London Studio Centre will enable him to work towards his ultimate goal.

Craig is considered to have the physical abilities, mental attitude and potential to reach the highest levels in his profession. The only thing stopping him was lack of financial support to pursue his dreams.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award will help Craig through his studies at the London Studio Centre. After a successful first year at the Studio Centre, Craig writes, “I have enjoyed my first year and can feel that I have improved greatly since beginning.” His support has been extended for a second year. Later, after a successful second year, Craig’s support was extended into his final year.

Since the Award

Craig successfully completed the theatre dance course at London Studio Centre with a Distinction and Merit Plus in Musical Theatre. He sang the role of Reverend Shaw in the LSC’s final year production of ‘Footloose’ and was subsequently one of 12 students to audition successfully for a place on the Agents Showcase at the Criterion Theatre in London. He is now signed to CBL Management. Craig has joined the 2010-11 UK tour of ‘Joseph’ where he was offered swing.

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I would like to thank the trustees for their consideration and would like to tell you how much this award will help me.

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2007 Awardee: Daniel Hunter

I thank … all those at the Dewar Arts Awards for giving me the chance to purchase the fiddle that I have always wanted and I am sure it will make me a better player.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2007
AGE AT AWARD: 14
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Despite his young age, Daniel has performed solo and as part of a group at many top traditional music festivals, including Celtic Connections, Ar Ais Aris and the Edinburgh Fiddle Festival. An extremely gifted multi-instrumentalist, he has won several All Scotland titles and has represented Scotland at All Britain and All Ireland competitions through the Comhaltas organisation. Daniel specialises in the performance of Irish traditional music.

From a musical family, Daniel’s ambition is to study traditional music at the RSAMD in Glasgow. All his four siblings play music. Besides displaying his prodigious talents in performances, Daniel exudes a great sense of fun and joy when playing which engages audiences in a remarkable fashion. Daniel has a particular flair for both Irish dance tunes and slow airs and has enormous potential as a player in the Irish traditional music scene in its international context.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Awards enabled Daniel to buy a Rab Cherry fiddle.

Since the Award

In common with many recipients of a Daughter of Dewar Award, Daniel struggled to get the right tone and sound from his old fiddle, which he found dispiriting. Once he found a Rab Cherry fiddle he liked, Daniel says himself that his playing took a big step forward. Both his quality of playing and his confidence in his instrument improved. He has also developed an interest in composing and arranging music. Daniel’s positive experience mirrors that of many winners of the Daughter of Dewar Award.

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I thank … all those at the Dewar Arts Awards for giving me the chance to purchase the fiddle that I have always wanted and I am sure it will make me a better player.

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2007 Awardee: Daniel Short

I am delighted I have been offered a Dewar Arts Award as this will now allow me to study at RAM, London.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2007
AGE AT AWARD: 22
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Fife-born Daniel Short recently graduated from the University of Strathclyde with a first-class honours degree and as the winner of the ‘Alexander Stone Solo Performance Award’.
One of a small band of Scottish jazz guitarists, Daniel won a coveted place on the Masters course in jazz guitar performance at the Royal Academy of Music. He is currently resident guitarist with the award-winning Strathclyde Jazz Orchestra, the Tommy Smith Youth Jazz Orchestra and principal guitarist with the Strathclyde Guitar Ensemble.

Daniel hopes to champion the development of a unique Scottish jazz voice in guitar, especially now that jazz music is becoming a strong feature of Scottish culture.

Daniel stood out from the crowd at the University of Strathclyde with his exceptional talent, musicality and dedication to become an accomplished performer. Progressing to the Royal Academy of Music is the next step to develop his talent.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award is helping to finance Daniel through a Master of Arts in jazz guitar performance.

In his first year at the Academy, Daniel participated in master classes with Dave Liebman, Jerry Bergonzi, John Taylor, Jason Moran and Joe Lovano.  A jazz group which Daniel helped set up at the Academy competed in the International Kodolanyi Jazz Competition in Hungary, where they won a special award.

Since the Award

Daniel achieved Master of Music Concert Project with merit. During his studies Daniel was able to perform in many of the famous venues in the UK, including the Royal Albert Hall, the Vortex Jazz Club, 606 Jazz Club and Ronnie Scott’s, and he performed regularly in the West End, in the show ‘Jersey Boys’ and as a support act for Elton John. Daniel’s highlight was performing with two of his music heroes, Stan Sulzmann and John Taylor. Daniel has since started his own jazz group and performed his own compositions at the Vortex and 606 jazz clubs. Daniel’s aim is to continue performing with his group and to organise and record a series of concerts.

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I am delighted I have been offered a Dewar Arts Award as this will now allow me to study at RAM, London.

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