2009 Awardee: Ania Winiarska

It is a wonderful opportunity for me to study at the NFTS where I can improve my skills and develop [a] personal voice and style in film-making.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2009
AGE AT AWARD: 27
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Polish-born Ania became passionate about film through her initial studies in journalism. Her early fascination with ordinary people’s lives grew into a desire to tell more in-depth human interest stories through the medium of film documentary.

Ania’s first contact with the film-set was behind the scenes as an independent photographer working on, amongst others, the set of ‘Rebus’. She moved into theatre and got involved with the Citizens Community Theatre in Glasgow.

Whilst in Glasgow, Ania made the well-received documentary ‘Shooting Horses’ chronicling the story of a community performance project based on the film “They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?”. This was selected for submission to the Golden Gate Film Festival in San Francisco. She later made ‘Blackout’, a documentary about Glasgow teenagers who performed at the National Theatre in London.

Ania worked as a film-maker for a number of Scottish charities, often for no fee, to help them raise their profile and funds. ‘Passionate’ is a word often used in connection with Ania, and in her work she manages to find engaging and honest stories that touch the hearts of her audience.

Ania won a place at the highly-competitive NFTS, Beaconsfield to study for a Master in Documentary Directing.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award will help towards the substantial costs for Ania to take up a place.

Since the Award

Ania has continued to build on her success and skills as a film-maker. She received the Christie Award for out-standing contribution to the NFTS and her film ‘Dylan’ has been screened at numerous international film festivals. ‘Dylan’ won 2nd prize at San Sebastian International Film Festival and was shortlisted for Grierson Awards for best student film. Ania continues to work on documentaries for British TV, including ‘Britain in a Day’ for BBC2.

‘Dylan’ Official Trailer from Ania Winiarska on Vimeo.

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It is a wonderful opportunity for me to study at the NFTS where I can improve my skills and develop [a] personal voice and style in film-making.

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2009 Awardee: Tom Harrold

I am thrilled to have this opportunity to be associated with the Dewar Arts Awards and will do my utmost to do justice to this fantastic award.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2009
AGE AT AWARD: 17
ARTFORMS: ,
WEBSITE:https://soundcloud.com/tom-harrold
 
 

Biography

Glasgow-born Tom Harrold has had his music performed and recorded in London, Amsterdam, York, Glasgow, Aberdeen – and Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago! Tom was a pupil at the Music School of Douglas Academy for almost six years before he was accepted by the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester to study composition.

The son of professional musicians, Tom was winner of the 2007 BBC Proms/Guardian Young Composer’s Competition. His music has been performed and workshopped by members of the BBC Scottish Symphony, the BBC Symphony and the Aurora Orchestras and the Endymion Ensemble, along with the Ebor Singers. Tom has already received commissions from the BBC Proms, Scottish Philharmonic Orchestra and from several professional soloists.

In April 2009, Tom had a new work performed at the Fifth Summit of the Americas, and his piece “The Day is Done” was on the shortlist of three of the National Centre for Early Music/BBC Radio 3/Tallis Scholar Composer’s Competition. In the same year, he was joint winner of the Heriot-Watt University Young Composer’s Competition.

All these wonderful experiences and opportunities have fuelled his love for composing and confirmed in him a desire to become one of the foremost Scottish and British contemporary composers of his generation.

For up-to-date information on Tom’s work, visit his page on SoundCloud.

http://www.thescottishceilidhband.co.uk/

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award will help Tom in his first year at RNCM studying composition.

Since the Award

Demonstrating good progress, Tom’s Award has been continued into a second year, and subsequently, a third year.

29/04/13: Tom has been shortlisted for a commission from the Royal Philharmonic Society. making it into the final four entrants put forward by the Royal Northern College of Music. The chosen composer will write a fanfare to open the IAMA’s Montreal Conference this November and the London Conference in April 2014.

FROM DREAMS, Trinity Boys Choir (cond. David Swinson), Live from Herz Jesu Kirche, Munich

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I am thrilled to have this opportunity to be associated with the Dewar Arts Awards and will do my utmost to do justice to this fantastic award.

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2009 Awardee: Alan McKendrick

Thanks very much, I’m delighted… and am already looking forward to being able to embark on my project with support from the Award.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2009
AGE AT AWARD: 26
ARTFORMS: , , ,
 
 
 

Biography

Freelance stage writer/director/translator Alan McKendrick, from Glasgow, already has a number of stage successes under his belt. His most recent stage work as writer/director includes The James Dean Death Scene, Finished With Engines and The Bad Drive Well. In 2006 he was winner of the Arches Award for stage directors (for The James Dean Death Scene) and the following year reached the final shortlist for the prestigious Meyer-Whitworth Award for the UK-wide best play by a new writer (for Finished With Engines).

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award helped Alan to spend a period of time on a creative attachment with the renowned Schaubuehne Theater, Berlin.

Since the Award

Having spent a period of time in Berlin, Alan writes that his “original intention was to…consolidate upon my already-extant skills as a playwright, director and translator. I believe that …this was ultimately achieved on a personal level.” The fruit of this time in Berlin began to appear some months after his return to Scotland, which includes the possibility of his own work being translated into German and him working with a German director on a German-English stage translation.

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Thanks very much, I’m delighted… and am already looking forward to being able to embark on my project with support from the Award.

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2009 Awardee: Andrea Harkin

My thanks to the trustees for choosing to grant me a Dewar Arts Award. I am delighted and would like to accept the award.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2009
AGE AT AWARD: 27
ARTFORMS: ,
WEBSITE:https://www.andreaharkin.net
 
 

Biography

Originally from Derry, Northern Ireland, and now based in Edinburgh, Andrea won a 2008 BAFTA Scotland New Talent Award, in the Best First-Time Writer category, for the short film ‘The Flyer’, which she both wrote and directed. The film was premiered subsequently at the Edinburgh International Film Festival, one of just four Scottish Shorts to be screened that year.

Andrea first studied drama at Queen Margaret University. She then joined the Pilton Video’s ‘From Script to Screen’ Shorts programme as a new director, eventually producing a powerful, funny and moving film short ‘Just Like Me’. Andrea is considered to be one of the very best talents to come out of Scotland over the past few years and, in the view of some, the best developing young female director in the country at this time.

Andrea has been offered a coveted place on the NFTS Masters course in Film Directing, where places are hugely competitive and are only offered to those who already have a track record in the film industry.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award will help Andrea towards the considerable costs of the course. After a successful first year, Andrea’s funding was continued into the second year.

Since the Award

Andrea successfully completed her studies at NFTS in 2011, and according to her tutors, her graduation film, FOR MEGAN, made a powerful impact on the audience. Andrea writes, “I have learned so much about filmmaking, collaboration, and what needs to be done on a practical level to facilitate the creative possibilities. And that is precisely why I came to film school.” For more information about Andrea’s current work, see www.andreaharkin.net.

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My thanks to the trustees for choosing to grant me a Dewar Arts Award. I am delighted and would like to accept the award.

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2009 Awardee: Asher Zaccardelli

YEAR OF AWARD: 2009
AGE AT AWARD: 19
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Asher was born in Edinburgh, he attended St Mary’s Music School and completed his undergraduate studies at the Royal Academy of Music in London.

He enjoys a versatile career as a chamber musician, regularly working with Hebrides Ensemble, Scottish Ensemble, 13 North and 12 Ensemble where he has appeared as a soloist. He was Violist of the Maxwell String Quartet and the Ruisi String Quartet, winning various awards with both including the Royal Philharmonic Society’s ‘Albert and Eugenie Frost Prize’ for chamber music in 2016.

Asher has established himself as a sought-after orchestral principal and has played guest principal viola with The Philharmonia, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Aurora Orchestra, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and Royal Scottish National Orchestra. He is also a regular player with the John Wilson Orchestra and Sinfonia of London. He held the position of Assistant Principal Viola with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra between 2019-2023.

 

Asher enjoys performing challenging repertoire from memory. As a regular player with Aurora Orchestra for over 10 years, he has performed several works from memory including 4 Beethoven symphonies (3,5,6,7), Berlioz’s Symphony Fantastique and Stravinsky’s Firebird & The Rite of Spring.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award supported Asher’s studies at the Royal Academy of Music.

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2009 Awardee: Beth Mackay

Every day I am inspired by my teachers and coaches, directors and my peers, which encourages me to perform to my highest potential. I would not have been able to take advantage of this opportunity without the Trust's support and I thank you so very much for enabling me to do so.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2009
AGE AT AWARD: 26
ARTFORMS: , ,
 
 
 

Biography

Yorkshire-born mezzo-soprano Beth Mackay gained her first degree at Leeds University, during which time she sang in the Leeds Baroque Choir. She progressed to the RNCM in Manchester to pursue postgraduate vocal studies, moving on to continue her studies at the RSAMD in Glasgow.

Beth has a range which is ideally suited to the music of the 18th century. She continues to perform regularly as a soloist with the Leeds Baroque Choir and for the last two years has performed at the Suffolk Villages Festival, East Anglia’s Early Music Festival. Whilst at RSAMD she has impressed with her development as a stage artist, able to convey the inner drama of her character.

In 2009 Beth was offered a place on the RSAMD’s prestigious Masters Programme for Opera Studies. She finds the environment of studying at RSAMD to be very energising, and has experienced great growth and development from their teaching.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award will help with the expenses of pursuing the two-year programme towards a Master of Opera.

Since the Award

Beth successfully graduated with a Master of Opera (distinction) from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.  Immediately after graduation, she took up a contract with the Clonter Opera in Cheshire.

Beth writes that her future is exciting, including as it does working with Opera North on a contemporary music project, with the Britten Choir in London, concert and oratorio appearances already in the diary and auditions for opera companies in the pipeline.

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Every day I am inspired by my teachers and coaches, directors and my peers, which encourages me to perform to my highest potential. I would not have been able to take advantage of this opportunity without the Trust's support and I thank you so very much for enabling me to do so.

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2009 Awardee: Danielle Heron

Without your support, my dream of training at LAMDA and ultimately, making the first steps in becoming an actress that Scotland is proud of may not have been possible and for that reason I cannot thank you enough.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2009
AGE AT AWARD: 20
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Paisley-born actress Danielle has toured all over Scotland with PACE Youth Theatre Company and performed at Glasgow’s SEC to thousands of primary school children. Former members of PACE include film actor James McAvoy and singer Paolo Nutini.

Dani was a member of PACE Theatre Company for over ten years and impressed as an enthusiastic, talented, diligent and determined young woman. Dani was a key figure in Renfrewshire’s ‘Take a Drink’ project, which aimed to educate secondary school pupils about the dangers of alcohol abuse. She was able to portray a believable and realistic character which won over a largely sceptical audience of young people.

Dani went on to take part in Strathclyde Police’s ‘Choices for Life’ project in 2008, aimed at young people to encourage them to make the right choices for their future. Once again, her believable and passionate performance hit the right note.

Dani’s aim is to become an actress Scotland can be proud of and has been accepted onto the degree course at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award will help towards Dani’s first year costs. After a successful first year, Dani’s funding has been continued into a second year.  Following a successful second year, her funding has been continued into a third and final year.

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Without your support, my dream of training at LAMDA and ultimately, making the first steps in becoming an actress that Scotland is proud of may not have been possible and for that reason I cannot thank you enough.

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2009 Awardee: Edward McGurn

The utmost gratitude is extended to all involved in the award-making process.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2009
AGE AT AWARD: 27
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Glasgow-born Edward McGurn started his acting training at Coatbridge College where he was awarded the Ian Bannen Memorial prize for outstanding performance in his final showcase.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award will helps towards the fees and living expenses for the year.

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The utmost gratitude is extended to all involved in the award-making process.

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2009 Awardee: Elisabeth Ingram

I am delighted to accept this Dewar Award…. My MLitt in Creative Writing, and the short story collection I am working on during it, would absolutely not be possible without this Dewar Award.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2009
AGE AT AWARD: 29
ARTFORMS: ,
WEBSITE:https://iluvwords.blogspot.com
 
 

Biography

Born in Sutton Coldfield, Elisabeth studied English Literature at Harris Manchester College, Oxford’s smallest and most progressive college for mature students, where she won an English Literature scholarship. In 2004, Elisabeth won the McDonough Prize and graduated in 2005. After leaving University Elisabeth focused on writing short stories, with the aim of pursuing a postgraduate creative writing course.

Elisabeth moved to Glasgow and in 2008 joined the competitive MLitt in Creative Writing at Glasgow University. She co-edits the Glasgow University online creative writing journal www.fromglasgowtosaturn.com. In 2009, she founded the Glasgow Student Short Story Prize, with the aim of supporting and promoting other new writers across the city.  The prize is guest judged by A. L. Kennedy, and an anthology of the winners, edited by Elisabeth, will be published in mid August.  To find out more: http://glasgowstoryprize.blogspot.com/.

Elisabeth has a blog at iluvwords.blogspot.com about her year of reading dangerously, “an impossible challenge I set myself, to read a book a day, for a year …”. Ultimately she plans to expand this blog into an online journal for more experimental writing.

While a postgraduate, Elisabeth has had a short story published in the annual showcase of the best in Scottish contemporary writing, New Writing Scotland.  ‘Green Line’ appeared in the 2009 anthology In the Event of Fire.  She will also be published in the upcoming MLitt anthology Hunger, with another short story, ‘Moment of Silence’. Elisabeth is considered to be a talented writer with great potential. As well as writing, Elisabeth designs jewellery and keeps a photographic and design blog of her work, for more information see elisabethingram.blogspot.com.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award helped towards the costs of the MLitt.

Since the Award

During a successful year in which she graduated with an MLitt with Distinction, Elisabeth founded the first ‘Glasgow Student Short Story Prize’ which was judged by A L Kennedy. An anthology of the winning entries was published in paperback and online.  She continued to co-edit the online Glasgow University creative writing journal ‘From Glasgow to Saturn’. In 2010 Elisabeth was runner-up in the prestigious Curtis Brown Prize.  She continues to write and be published.

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I am delighted to accept this Dewar Award…. My MLitt in Creative Writing, and the short story collection I am working on during it, would absolutely not be possible without this Dewar Award.

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2009 Awardee: Fergal McGoff

This award is very important to me and I would like to say thank you.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2009
AGE AT AWARD: 17
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Edinburgh-born Fergal started his working life as a painter and decorator with a dream to perform on stage, but no support, guidance, or teaching. By chance, he did some decorating work for a choreographer, through whom he was invited to dance workshops. He was spotted very quickly as being an exceptionally gifted dancer and within a year had won a place at Bird College with a full DADA scholarship.

Fergal has both a natural talent and the look for musical theatre and has shown that he has the determination to succeed. He demonstrated to his early mentors that he is prepared to work hard to achieve his dream and he has the necessary drive and energy to succeed in musical theatre.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Awards have offered Fergal support for the first year of his studies at Bird College. His funding was continued for a second year. After a successful second year, Fergal’s support was extended for a third and final year.

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This award is very important to me and I would like to say thank you.

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