2017 Awardee: Matthew Grouse

"This was a vital learning experience and one I feel has created a very tangible sense of forward momentum in my musical career"

YEAR OF AWARD: 2017
AGE AT AWARD: 20
ARTFORMS: ,
WEBSITE:https://www.matthewgrousemusic.com/
 
TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/grouseyy

Biography

Matthew is a musician with exceptional credentials, exhibiting skills in a wide variety of settings from large scale compositions involving electronics and voices to delicate chamber works.

His work regularly combines media and is often concerned with human frailties and finding the remarkable in the seemingly ordinary aspects of everyday life. Activities include selection for Yaron Deutsch’s Electric Guitar Etude Project at Darmstadt; an EP release on New York based label, Not Art Records and being shortlisted in two categories of the 2018 Scottish Awards for New Music.

Matthew’s music has been showcased across the UK and internationally, in Germany, Italy, Egypt, USA, Canada and Ireland. His music has been performed or workshopped by artists including: Royal Northern Sinfonia; Hebrides Ensemble; Red Note Ensemble; The Assembly Project; DeCoda Ensemble; Gildas Quartet; Dohnányi String Trio; Sinae Lee (pianist) and Lewis Banks (saxophonist).

His work has featured at or is programmed for future performances at festivals such as Darmstadt; The Cumnock Tryst; St Magnus International Festival; Cottier Chamber Project; Leeds Lieder Festival; EviMus Festival and Sound / Image Colloquium.

Matthew is also passionate about inclusivity within new music. This has been reinforced by being awarded the 2017 Kimie Composition Prize, which resulted in Live Music Now Scotland commissioning an interactive string trio for performances in dementia care homes and traditional concert hall settings. Further to this, Matthew received an orchestral commission for the Nevis Ensemble’s inaugural tour, which will take in 70 performances in public and community settings around Scotland as part of Glasgow2018.

How the Award Helped

Industrious and dedicated, Matthew studied composition at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and whilst there was offered a place on the prestigious St Magnus Festival Composer’s Course. His Award supported him in accessing this exceptional opportunity to further develop his already commendable skillset.

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"This was a vital learning experience and one I feel has created a very tangible sense of forward momentum in my musical career"

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2017 Awardee: Stephanie Hunter

"The financial support from the Dewar Arts Award afforded me the time to learn without worrying about the income I couldn't afford to spare on professional development. I am endlessly grateful."

YEAR OF AWARD: 2017
AGE AT AWARD: 23
ARTFORMS: ,
WEBSITE:https://www.stephaniekatiehunter.com/
 
 

Biography

Stephanie is a dynamic, committed and highly capable producer.  Her knowledge of contemporary performance and enthusiasm for her work has enabled her to produce work and manage projects on both national and international platforms.

Having trained at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Stephanie has collaborated with artists and organisations including the National Theatre of Scotland, Birmingham Repertory Theatre, the National Theatre, the Citizens, Tramway, Anna Krzystek, Graham McLaren, Pachamama Productions, Indepen-Dance and Glas(s) Performance.

Stephanie’s ambition is to facilitate meaningful conversation between artists and their audiences through bespoke engagement activity.

How the Award Helped

Stephanie’s Award enabled her to attend Stage One’s New Producers’ Workshop.  This gave her the opportunity to reflect on her experience to date whilst accruing new skills and developing her creative networks.

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"The financial support from the Dewar Arts Award afforded me the time to learn without worrying about the income I couldn't afford to spare on professional development. I am endlessly grateful."

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2017 Awardee: Niall Anderson

"It is a tremendous privilege to study at such an institution and my Dewar Award has contributed to my studies immensely."

YEAR OF AWARD: 2017
AGE AT AWARD: 22
ARTFORMS: , ,
WEBSITE:https://www.niallandersonbaritone.co.uk/
 
TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/NAndoBaritone

Biography

Originally from the Levenmouth area of Fife, Niall attended the Kirkland High School in Methil before going on to complete a Bachelor of Music Degree at the University of Aberdeen.

Niall’s love for singing was encouraged from an early age, but his passion for classical singing was discovered during his undergraduate degree. Upon graduating from the University of Aberdeen Niall was awarded the Carlaw Music award for all round musicianship. He then went on to gain a place to study at the Royal Academy of Music under the tutelage of  Glenville Hargreaves and Jonathan Papp.

Performances to date include Bach’s St Johannes Passion in Germany, Brahms Requiem, Rossini’s Petite Mess Solennelle and the title role in Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro. Niall made his Wigmore Hall debut in the Autumn of 2017 in a recital with Julian Prégardien and Christoph Schnakertz.

Niall has been a member of the prestigious Royal Academy of Music Song Circle and a featured soloist in the 2018 Royal Academy of Music/Kohn Foundation Bach Cantata Series.

How the Award Helped

Niall’s Award supported his postgraduate studies at the Royal Academy of Music.

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"It is a tremendous privilege to study at such an institution and my Dewar Award has contributed to my studies immensely."

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2017 Awardee: Grace Green

"Receiving Dewar Arts Award funding has ensured my continued involvement with the National Ensemble 2017...furthering my training and learning and growth. Thank you."

YEAR OF AWARD: 2017
AGE AT AWARD: 20
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

From a young age, Grace had passion and talent for acting.  This was nurtured by classes at the Moray Steiner School (now the Drumduan School), by becoming a member of the Scottish Ballet Junior Associate Scheme and by auditioning successfully for the Eden Court Young Dance Company for 5 years consecutively.

Grace’s training also includes LAMDA syllabus acting exams and shows, productions with Youth Music Theatre UK, and being a company member of the Eden Court Collective for the National Theatre of Scotland Exchange Festival 2016. Grace has experience as a young company member for Ballet L’orent and the Rosie Kay Dance Company.

In 2017, Grace became a member of the inaugural Scottish Youth Theatre National Ensemble, where she had the opportunity to train with Frantic Assembly, fight director James McReady, devise and write a show with BAFTA award-winning writer David Cosgrove, and take a Shakespearean masterclass with Scottish Youth Theatre artistic director Mary McCluskey.

As a member of the National Youth Arts Advisory Group (working in conjunction with Creative Scotland and the Scottish Government), Grace developed her commitment to young people’s progression in and through the arts, and to the ‘Time to Shine’ National Youth Arts Strategy.  Her ambition is to continue her training in acting and physical theatre, and go on to teach and facilitate.

How the Award Helped

Grace’s Dewar Award supported her engagement with the National Ensemble 2017.

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"Receiving Dewar Arts Award funding has ensured my continued involvement with the National Ensemble 2017...furthering my training and learning and growth. Thank you."

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2017 Awardee: Bobby Sayers

"Without the funding from Dewar Art Award I would have had to turn down my place at Piet Zwart Institute. The award made furthering my education and progressing my career as an artist possible...I am extremely grateful."

YEAR OF AWARD: 2017
AGE AT AWARD: 27
ARTFORMS: , ,
WEBSITE:https://www.bobbysayers.com/
EMAIL:bobby@bobbysayers.com
TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/bobbysayers

Biography

Bobby Sayers is an artist, designer and curator based in Glasgow/Rotterdam. Sayers’ practice explores themes of beauty and value through the frame of the city, his artworks often consider how we value ourselves and what authorship we have over our environments. Using film, performance, photography and sculpture to expose emotions and discuss the human condition and current sociopolitical situations.

Bobby has exhibited internationally and established residencies and arts projects across Scotland. As well as gaining one of only 10 places on a prestigious masters course at Piet Zwart Institute in Rotterdam, he has worked for many organisations and galleries across the UK such as Nottingham Contemporary, The Museum of Everything and You Me Bum Bum Train.  He has co-programmed for The Telfer Gallery, Glasgow, and has worked as a designer and website developer for Organise Consulting, a political campaigns organisation based in London.

Bobby has delivered a commission to develop progressive digital manufacturing and education schemes across 8 Libraries in East Dunbartonshire, runs an annual residency in Braemar, Scotland, and is involved in other projects across Scotland as part of the co-founded organisation Common Ground.

How the Award Helped

Bobby’s Dewar Arts Award contributed towards the course fees for his Masters of Fine Art at the Piet Zwart Institute.

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"Without the funding from Dewar Art Award I would have had to turn down my place at Piet Zwart Institute. The award made furthering my education and progressing my career as an artist possible...I am extremely grateful."

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2017 Awardee: Alistair Grant

"The support from the Dewar Award has enabled me to commit my time and energy to the course in a way that is truly freeing, I feel extremely lucky."

YEAR OF AWARD: 2017
AGE AT AWARD: 27
ARTFORMS: ,
WEBSITE:https://www.ahgrant.co.uk/
EMAIL:alistairhgrant@gmail.com
 

Biography

Alistair Grant was born in Manchester and moved to Glasgow to study a BA in Sculpture at the Edinburgh College of Art.  On graduating, he went on to study a Master of Fine Art at Glasgow School of Art.

Alistair is an interdisciplinary artist whose work explores contemporary connections to the natural world. From sculptural and installation approaches through to performance and video games, Grant’s practice is concerned with how we negotiate and attribute value, whether aesthetic or ecological to these designated areas from within the built environment.

Alistair has undertaken residencies including The Wild Project (Czech Republic) and Odyssean (Orkney), which have resulted in exhibitions across the country. He has also made work for the Odyssean: Topographies exhibition at Hestercombe in Somerset.

In Spring 2014 Alistair Founded ‘The Number Shop’ Studios and Gallery, which he continues to manage as Director. To date TNS has hosted over 50 exhibitions and worked with over 150 emerging contemporary artists, highlights of our programme include Edinburgh College of Art Graduate Awards, Edinburgh Art Festival, Return Flight MEL-EDI (Melbourne – Edinburgh international artist-writer exchange), Edinburgh International Science Festival and Glasgow International 2018.

In August 2017, Alistair co-founded Edinburgh Contemporary Art Directory, a quarterly print listings publication (and online) that compiles activities, exhibitions and events from the Edinburgh scene, from independent artists, artist-run spaces and mid-large scale institutions.

Alistair’s ambition is to contribute to the Scottish contemporary art scene in a holistic way, supporting the work and activities of others alongside and intertwined with his own practice.

How the Award Helped

Alistair’s Dewar Award supported him in his studies, allowing him to fully pursue his aims to develop technical skills in workshops (physical sculpture processes in casting, digital 3D softwares and animation) whilst having the time to critically evolve his practice. The Award also allowed him to undertake his exhibition at Hestercombe.

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"The support from the Dewar Award has enabled me to commit my time and energy to the course in a way that is truly freeing, I feel extremely lucky."

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2017 Awardee: Adam Lee

"By attending the NYOS Symphony Orchestra course, I will gain invaluable skills...helping me in my journey towards a career playing in orchestras as a professional musician."

YEAR OF AWARD: 2017
AGE AT AWARD: 17
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/adamlee9916

Biography

Adam started learning the clarinet at primary school with Rachel Considine.  He joined the high achieving North Ayrshire Schools’ Senior Concert Band where he met Matthew Chinn and with much encouragement and support from both him and his clarinet teacher, he successfully auditioned for the Junior Conservatoire at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, where he studied for two years with Alison Waller.

During his time at the Junior Conservatoire, Adam won the 2016/17 Gilbert Innes Woodwind Prize and was one of three people selected as a concerto soloist to perform with the Junior Conservatoire Symphony Orchestra.  He has also enjoyed successes at many local, regional and national events, including the Ayrshire Music Festival where he was the first person to win the Elizabeth McNair Trophy for Best Overall Instrumental Performance three years in a row.

Adam was a member of the West of Scotland Schools’ Symphony Orchestra in 2017 and was selected as their concerto soloist, performing Malcolm Arnold’s Clarinet Concerto No. 2.  He was also a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland Symphony Orchestra the same year, performing in top performance venues across Scotland, including the Usher Hall, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall and Perth Concert Hall.

In 2017, Adam successfully auditioned for a place on the BMus course at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, where he studies with John Cushing.  He was also awarded a Robertson Trust Scholarship to support his studies.  In February 2018, Adam won a Yamaha Music Foundation of Europe Clarinet Scholarship, being one of seven people selected from Conservatoires across the U.K. to perform in the live final at the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester.

How the Award Helped

Adam’s award allowed him to purchase a new A clarinet and attend the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland Symphony Orchestra, helping him pursue his ambition of performing both as a soloist and in professional orchestras.

Juniors Concerto – Adam performing with the Junior Conservatoire Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Jean-Claude Picard.

West Orchestra Concerto – Adam performing with the West of Scotland Schools’ Symphony Orchestra, conducted by James Lowe.

Yamaha Scholarship – Pictured with Heather Nicoll, Head of Woodwind at Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, after winning a Yamaha Music Foundation of Europe Clarinet Scholarship.

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"By attending the NYOS Symphony Orchestra course, I will gain invaluable skills...helping me in my journey towards a career playing in orchestras as a professional musician."

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