2007 Awardee: Samantha Blaney

I very much appreciate this opportunity and what it enables me to achieve.

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

Biography

Wishaw-born Samantha Blaney began studying musical theatre at Motherwell College before going on to win a place on the RSAMD’s MA in Performance in Musical Theatre.

Samantha is considered to be a talented all-rounder, in drama, singing and dance, with a successful career in the theatre ahead of her. Her main reason for going back to college to pursue a Master of Musical Theatre was that she found herself in a point in her career where she felt she needed to expand her skills in order to sustain a long-term career in the theatre.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award will contribute towards the costs of the tuition fees at RSAMD.

Since the Award

Samantha writes that the most rewarding part of the year was forming a repertory company with her fellow students and performing in three of the four productions the company took to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. At the end of the year, after the showcases in Glasgow and London, Samantha was noticed by a clutch of industry representatives and was signed immediately by an agent. She was also approached by Channel 4 with a view to appearing in a short film.

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I very much appreciate this opportunity and what it enables me to achieve.

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2007 Awardee: Samuel Rutherford

On behalf of Samuel thank you very much for the generous award to purchase the accordion which is an invaluable support and will progress his studies exponentially! (Samuel's mother)

YEAR OF AWARD: 2007
AGE AT AWARD: 12
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Born in Inverness, Samuel was brought up on the beautiful Isle of Coll. He was inspired to take up the accordion after hearing the ceilidh band Skerryvore from the Isle of Tiree performing on Coll. He asked if he could have a go at playing their accordion and was hooked. His grandmother bought him his first accordion.

Samuel is currently a pupil at Aberdeen City Music School where he is studying the accordion. At the audition, he impressed with his talent and, since joining the school, has continued to made excellent progress due to dedication added to raw talent. Quickly it became apparent that the accordion Samuel owned when he arrived at the school was inadequate and actively holding back his musical progress.

Samuel writes that “thanks to the Dewar Arts Award I am now able to buy a higher quality instrument to enable me to play at an advanced level. The new instrument will enhance the range of music I can play.”

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award will enable Samuel to buy a Bulgari Champion Cassoto accordion.

Since the Award

Samuel has made great progress since buying a new accordion. At the 2009 NAAFC he won second place in the under 16 traditional solo and second place at the 2008 All Scotland Accordion and Fiddle Championships in Perth. He also regularly teaches younger children the basic skills of playing the accordion.

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On behalf of Samuel thank you very much for the generous award to purchase the accordion which is an invaluable support and will progress his studies exponentially! (Samuel's mother)

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2007 Awardee: Selina Law

I have already started research work, and am excited at the possibilities this award will give me. Thanks again.

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

Biography

Originally from Northern Ireland, Selina moved to Scotland to study textile design. She gained a first-class honours degree specialising in woven textiles and continues to live and work in Dundee, where she is currently designer in residence at Duncan of Jordanstone College.

In 2005 Selina won the Society of Dyers and Colourists’ Colour in Textile award and in the following year was selected as one of six weave designers by the Texprint group as a ‘star designer of the future’. Other awards which Selina has won include the Veronica Bell Award for Colour in Textiles, which included in the prize the opportunity for her designs to be incorporated into textiles used for menswear, and the F&A Bradshaw Award for a research trip to Japan.

Selina has showcased her work at First View, Chelsea, Indigo and in Premier Vision in Paris. Her clients include Calvin Klein. Her textiles are considered to be ‘exquisite, beautifully designed and perfectly executed’.

Selina is currently working to create a new fashion accessory collection.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award will help to fund the creation of Selina’s accessory collection.

Since the Award

Selina writes that the knitted collection she produced is ‘a capsule collection based on the theme of perspective….the pieces I have produced are almost what one would call knitted jewellery, in both function and theme’. Selina went on to teach textiles to students of all abilities, some with special educational needs. Alongside her teaching she continues to design and develop new collections and research into sustainable fashion and textiles.

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I have already started research work, and am excited at the possibilities this award will give me. Thanks again.

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2007 Awardee: Shaun Kelly

I am most grateful to be awarded one of the awards from the Dewar Arts Awards.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2007
AGE AT AWARD: 17
ARTFORMS:
 
 
 

Biography

Perth-born Shaun Kelly auditioned for the Dance School of Scotland in Knightswood when he was in primary seven. From the start he impressed as a young man of natural physical facility and exceptional talent and began to scoop up awards.

In his first year he won the John Marshall and the most improved dancer awards. In his second year he won the Joan Tucker award, and in his third year the most improved dancer award again. In his fourth year he won a choreography competition, the prize for which was a three-week exchange trip to Australia where he studied at the Victoria School of Arts in Melbourne.

Shaun has performed in Stirling Castle and the Tate Gallery for VisitScotland events and performed in the School’s annual shows at the Kings Theatre and the Theatre Royal. He achieved high marks in all his dance exams and says simply, “dance is my life”.

Shaun has now won a coveted place at the English National Ballet to study for the 3-year National Diploma in Dance. An ENB bursary and private sponsorship cover his tuition fees, but without additional financial help Shaun would not have been able to take up this wonderful opportunity.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award will go towards Shaun’s living expenses while studying in London.

Since the Award

After a very successful first year, Shaun writes, “My first year has been very exciting and eventful.” Shaun represented the English National Ballet School on several occasions in the year; at the Royal Variety Performance in Liverpool, at the Critics Circle Dance Awards at the Royal Opera House, and was one of two first-year students performing in the ENB’s 20th Anniversary Gala at the Britten Theatre. His funding has been extended for a second year.

Shaun continues to demonstrate excellent progress and his award was extended for a third year. He writes, “For the second consecutive year I have been awarded a scholarship for summer school, this year for the Yorkshire Ballet Seminars. This has been awarded for consistent hard work and commitment.”

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I am most grateful to be awarded one of the awards from the Dewar Arts Awards.

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2007 Awardee: Steven Blake

I am extremely excited at the thought of immersing myself in this whole other dimension of piping, expanding my musical experiences and knowledge and really cannot describe my gratitude for your help.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2007
AGE AT AWARD: 17
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Edinburgh-born Steven has been a music scholar at Stewart Melville’s College for seven years, the first piper to receive such a scholarship. He started learning the Highland bagpipes at a young age, winning many solo competitions, including the Stirlingshire Mod and the Lothian and Borders solo contest, culminating in becoming the Scottish Schools’ Piobaireachd Champion three years’ running. He was the Pipe Major of the School’s band for several years.

More recently Steven learned the Scottish Smallpipes and formed a band within the school to play contemporary traditional music, and then later started to learn the low whistle. When he reached the semi-final stage of the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year Steven decided to progress to the Uillean pipes, which draws together his piping and whistle playing skills. The following year he reached the final stage of the prestigious competition. Steven also plays the piano.

Steven is considered to be one of the most talented young pipers in Scotland. He is equally at home with traditional piping, contemporary folk music and composition and possesses a unique style of playing which sets him apart from his peers. He intends to make music his career and has recently been accepted onto Glasgow’s RSAMD degree course in Scottish Piping.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award enabled Steven to buy a set of Uilleann pipes.

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I am extremely excited at the thought of immersing myself in this whole other dimension of piping, expanding my musical experiences and knowledge and really cannot describe my gratitude for your help.

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2007 Awardee: Stewart Webster

I came across an instrument which … I fell in love with instantly and have decided to purchase… I have been playing it constantly since and my new teacher assures me that it is most definitely good enough to go into the profession with.

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

Biography

Fife-born Stewart Webster comes from a very musical family and started to learn the piano and percussion at an early age. When he was 12 he included the violin in his repertoire. Like many aspiring young Scottish musicians, Stewart was accepted into the junior department of the RSAMD and progressed to the senior RSAMD where he is studying for a degree in music.

While still a student at RSAMD, Stewart auditioned for the RSNO’s professional access scheme. His ‘incredible lyrical and beautiful playing’ stood out from the other students for its maturity and individual style. His ability to communicate music to an audience has led many professional ensembles in Scotland to seek him out, and he plays regularly with the Alba String Quartet and the Scottish Ensemble. He also plays regularly with the Scottish Opera orchestra.

Stewart won the Eric Dodds Memorial Scholarship for the most outstanding violinist at the RSAMD.

While in his final year at RSAMD, Stewart won a place on the postgraduate diploma course at the Royal Academy of Music in London. Already considered to be a violinist of high calibre, Stewart will use this further year of study to help him reach his full potential.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award enables Stewart to purchase a violin of performance quality to last him into his professional life.

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I came across an instrument which … I fell in love with instantly and have decided to purchase… I have been playing it constantly since and my new teacher assures me that it is most definitely good enough to go into the profession with.

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2007 Awardee: Struan Thorpe

YEAR OF AWARD: 2007
AGE AT AWARD: 18
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Multi-talented Struan is about to leave the National Centre of Excellence in Traditional Music in Plockton to study for a degree in Scottish traditional music at the RSAMD, Glasgow.

Struan, from Argyll, has been passionate about music for as long as he can remember. His main musical instrument is the Highland bagpipes, but he also plays the traditional wooden flute, saxophone, the tin whistle and the djembe (African drum). On the bagpipes, Struan has had solo successes, winning competitions at the Inverary & District Junior Piping events, the Cowal Highland Games, the Argyllshire Gathering and the National Piping Centre’s Junior Piping Competition.

As a founding member of the National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland, Struan toured throughout Europe, performing live with Carlos Nunez and the Chieftains. This performance was recorded and ultimately became the biggest selling CD and DVD in Spain. He has also performed at Celtic Connections, including Donald Shaw’s ‘Harvest’. Whilst at Plockton, Struan recorded an album with fellow students, due for commercial release in 2007.

Struan’s aim is to become a professional musician after he graduates.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award will enable him to buy a traditional wooden flute for his studies and future career.

Since the Award

Struan writes, “I have been accepted to study at the RSAMD on the BA Scottish music course. This has given me many opportunities to play my flute in various solo and group public performances. The most notable performance that I have played my new flute at was [in 2009] at the Celtic Connections festival in Glasgow where I was fortunate enough to share the stage with top traditional musicians such as Phil Cunningham, Finlay Napier, Gillian Napier, Iain MacFarlane and [former Dewar Arts Awardee] James Ross.”

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2007 Awardee: Yvonne Paterson

I’d just like to say how much I appreciate [the award]. It will make a huge difference to me in my musical career.

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

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.”

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I’d just like to say how much I appreciate [the award]. It will make a huge difference to me in my musical career.

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2007 Awardee: Lynsey Payne

I find it hard to express how delighted and excited I am about this award. I am truly grateful to you for your support.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2007
AGE AT AWARD: 23
ARTFORMS: ,
WEBSITE:https://www.sax-ecosse.co.uk
 
 

Biography

Lynsey, who hails from Cumbernauld, started learning to play the saxophone when she was eleven. She attended the Douglas Academy of Music where she had lessons in the saxophone with Josef Pacewicz. When she progressed to the RSAMD, Glasgow, she continued to study with Joseph Pacewicz.
Lynsey graduated with a BA (Hons), specialising in saxophone and wooden flute. She is particularly passionate about chamber music and has played in a number of saxophone quartet line-ups over the past few years.

In 2005, while still a student, Lynsey won the prestigious Governor’s Recital Prize in Chamber Music and the Mary D Adams Prize for Chamber Music with her quartet ‘Sax-Ecosse’. (For more details, see www.sax-ecosse.co.uk) In 2006 ‘Sax-Ecosse’ performed for Bill Clinton during his visit to Glasgow in May of that year, and for the Lord Provost of Glasgow, with guest of honour, Cherie Blair.

Thanks to a Scottish Arts Council grant, Lynsey has been taking lessons in Switzerland for the past year and a half with Bruce Weiberger of the world-famous Rascher Saxophone Quartet, during which time she transformed herself into ‘one of the finest baritone saxophone players in Europe.’

How the Award Helped

Lynsey is being assisted to pursue a Masters specialising in baritone saxophone performance at SUNY, Fredonia, USA.

Since the Award

Lynsey writes, “[I have always had the] intention to study further after my degree, away from Scotland, to get a different perspective on learning and teaching and I am extremely grateful to the Dewar Awards who have helped make this happen.”

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I find it hard to express how delighted and excited I am about this award. I am truly grateful to you for your support.

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