2018 Awardee: Lois Langmead

"I am extremely grateful for the support. Without the Award I would not have been able to accept my place."

YEAR OF AWARD: 2018
AGE AT AWARD: 26
ARTFORMS: , ,
WEBSITE:https://www.loislangmead.com/
EMAIL:loislangmead@gmail.com
 

Biography

Lois moved to Glasgow in 2011 to embark on a BA (Hons) in Communication Design at the Glasgow School of Art, specialising in Illustration. She graduated in 2015 with a First Class degree. The depth of her research for her final projects made a great impression on the assessment team, both for the eloquence of her writing and the manner in which her ideas were firmly embedded and evident in her making. One of her degree show pieces, a delicate, intricate, finely worked sculptural embroidery went on to win the student Jerwood Drawing Prize for 2015. From there, she remained in Glasgow and continued to self fund her practice.

Lois has exhibited throughout the UK. She has proved herself to be a thoughtful and imaginative artist with a strong research ethic and excellent analytical skills. She is adventurous and playful with her practice, serious and personally engaged with her work and sensitive in her use of materials. This gained her a place to study on the MA Textiles Mixed Media course at the Royal College of Art, enabling her to further her practice alongside her academic development. This offered the ideal next step for Lois, who finds engagement with textiles fascinating, resourceful and experiemental.

How the Award Helped

Lois received a Dewar Arts Award to support her postgraduate studies at the Royal College of Art.

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"I am extremely grateful for the support. Without the Award I would not have been able to accept my place."

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2018 Awardee: Michael Gibson

"Thanks to the support of the Dewar Arts Awards, I am able to not only to complete my studies, but also begin preparing and planning the next steps in my development as a professional singer."

YEAR OF AWARD: 2018
AGE AT AWARD: 24
ARTFORMS: ,
WEBSITE:https://www.michaelgibsontenor.com/
 
 

Biography

Glasgow born tenor, Michael Gibson, started singing at the age of 14 after much encouragement from his music teachers at Boclair Academy. It was due to their influence that Michael decided initially to follow a career as a music teacher, and went on to omplete a Bachelor of Education in Music at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, graduating in 2015.

During his time at RCS, Michael studied with both Gordon Wilson and Alan Watt. After completing his probationary teaching year in 2016, Michael decided to pursue his passion for performing. He gained a place to study for a Masters at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, and continued on to an Advanced Postgraduate Diploma with Peter Alexander Wilson.

Michael’s operatic roles include Rinuccio (Gianni Schicchi) and Le Prince Charmant (Cendrillon) at the RNCM and Tamino (Die Zauberflöte) in a semi-staged production at Shrewsbury School. In opera scenes he has performed the roles of Jaquino (Fidelio), Fenton (Falstaff), Lyonel (Martha), Tom Rakewell (The Rake’s Progress), Don Ottavio (Don Giovanni) and Fritz (L’amico Fritz). Michael was also a member of Buxton International Opera’s Young Artist Programme in 2018.

Michael’s concert engagements include Finzi Dies Natalis with the Lindsay Chamber Orchestra and the Mozart Requiem with Cantores Salicium in Bolton Abbey, Yorkshire. He regularly performs at gala concerts, both in the UK and in Europe.

In 2019, Michael joins the chorus of Glyndebourne opera festival for their productions of Il barbiere di Siviglia and La damnation de Faust. Following this, he commences further studies at the Royal College of Music’s opera school in London.

How the Award Helped

Michael’s Dewar Award supported him in completing his Advanced Postgraduate Diploma at the Royal Northern College of Music.

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"Thanks to the support of the Dewar Arts Awards, I am able to not only to complete my studies, but also begin preparing and planning the next steps in my development as a professional singer."

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2018 Awardee: Maja Persson

"I am extremely grateful for the Dewar award as it will help me fulfil my passion and further my career and exciting journey!"

YEAR OF AWARD: 2018
AGE AT AWARD: 19
ARTFORMS: , ,
 
 
 

Biography

Scottish flautist Maja is a passionate and hard working musician.

In 2014, Maja was awarded a scholarship which enabled her to complete her final two years of schooling at Douglas Academy Music School.  During that period she took part in many diverse musical events including an invitation to perform at the Confucious Institute Annual Conference in London, which coincided with the state visit of the Chinese President. She also performed at the Scottish Parliament and was invited to give a solo performance at the 2014 National Sikh Banquet, in front of invited guests and several MPs.

As a soloist, Maja performed the Ibert Flute Concerto alongside the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Junior Symphony Orchestra in 2016 after winning the Concerto Competition held at the Junior Conservatoire.  She has undertaken masterclasses with Sir James Galway, Michael Cox and Ian Clarke.

Maya gained a place to study on the BMus Performance degree at the Royal College of Music under the tutelage of Gitte Marcusson and Simon Channing, supported by the Henry Wood Accomodation Trust.  Alongside flute, she has studied piccolo with Stewart McIlwham and at the RCS with Alison Mitchell.

Maja is an avid orchestral musician.  She has played with several orchestras including West of Scotland Schools Symphony Orchestra, Scottish Opera Connect, NYOS Symphony Orchestra and participated in the NYO Inspire Project.  She was privileged to perform with NYOS at the Royal Albert Hall 2016 Prom Season.  Since her time at RCM, she has played as principal of the RCM Philharmonic Orchestra, RCM Opera Orchestra and performed with RCM Chamber Orchestra alongside members of the Chamber Orchestra of Europe.

Maja is also a keen chamber musician and performs regularly with her wind quintet, Ardor Ensemble, as well as with many other small ensembles.

How the Award Helped

Maya received an Award to support her in undertaking her studies at the Royal College of Music.

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"I am extremely grateful for the Dewar award as it will help me fulfil my passion and further my career and exciting journey!"

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2018 Awardee: Maria Donohue

"Without the support of the award I would not have been able to attend this life changing experience"

YEAR OF AWARD: 2018
AGE AT AWARD: 24
ARTFORMS: , ,
 
 
 

Biography

From Brooklyn, New York, Maria is a pianist, improviser, and artist.

Maria studied at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, where she gained a First Class Honours Degree and a Masters. She went on to study a PhD at Huddersfield University under the EHRC funded project IRiMaS, researching the psychophysiological responses in group free improvisation.

Maria has performed in numerous concerts in America at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Centre, The Lotus Club and The Brooklyn College of Music. In the UK she has performed widely, including at the Edinburgh Fringe, the Gallery of Modern Art, the Centre for Contemporary Arts, and Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival.

The core of her work is a focus on audience. For Maria, expanding, adapting, and altering the possibilities for the audiences of live works is of utmost importance for the future of all artistic practices.  She is specifically interested in experimentations in inter-disciplinary collaborations, looking to create new possibilities for merging and adapting artistic spheres. Because of these interests, much of her work utilises improvisation to both devise and question the successful impact of her mixed artistic practice, hoping to adapt to audiences and scenarios. In her improvisations, whether sonic, visual or movement based, Maria looks to uncover and imitate the root of communication.

In her quest for inter-disciplinary experimentations, Maria is part of a number of ensembles and collaborative groups. She has worked with the Glasgow Improvisers Orchestra, Tonotopy, a collaboration on image to sound with visual artist Gino Ballantyne, and is also a Founding member of the young artist collective EAST (Experimental Artists Social Theatre) for interdisciplinary exchange of knowledge. Maria has won several awards including the Governors Recital Prize and the New Piano Stars competition. She has worked with leading improvising practitioners such as Phil Minton, Anton Pet and Trever Watts.

How the Award Helped

Maria’s Award allowed her to travel to Australia and participate in the Australian Art Orchestras CMI (Creative Music Intensive). She presented a paper and performed at the Arts Centre in Melbourne. The residency helped Maria to extend her learning of musical traditions outside of her western classical background – a crucial opportunity to immerse herself in learning outside of her expertise and develop her skills as a PhD candidate, performer and teacher.

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"Without the support of the award I would not have been able to attend this life changing experience"

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2018 Awardee: Alexander Cowan

"The trustees' faith in my ability has not only increased my self-confidence but also my chances of success as a professional actor"

YEAR OF AWARD: 2018
AGE AT AWARD: 20
ARTFORMS: ,
WEBSITE:https://www.spotlight.com/0058-6720-4982
EMAIL:alexanderarrancowan@gmail.com
TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/AlexanderACowan

Biography

From a young age, Alexander Arran Cowan demonstrated talent and dedication to the performing arts in Scotland. His passion for acting started when he was just eight years old with Borders Youth Theatre, where he played many lead roles. He later joined promenade theatre company, Shakespeare-at-Traquair gaining experience of drama workshops and performances. By the age of 12 Alexander had appeared on the Smile TV show on CBBC and in a Scottish BAFTA nominated short film which toured festivals around the UK and Europe.

In addition to his love of theatre, Alexander became a keen filmmaker. He joined the highly-acclaimed youth film project, Voice Of My Own, and performed in dramas and sketch shows. His passion for acting led him to Performing Arts Studio Scotland at Edinburgh College, where he entertained audiences as Aegeus in the Greek classic Medea and as Detective Sergeant Emmanuel Prodd in David Kane’s farce Grave Plots.  He was awarded a Higher National Diploma and gained the chance to learn from leading industry professionals including Game of Thrones actor John Stahl.

As a young adult, Alexander gained an agent and was awarded professional work on projects for ITV, NHS and in commercial advertising.  In 2018, he was offered a highly coveted place with Project A at the Newcastle Theatre Royal. This full time, professional actor training programme selects only the most talented individuals who show the greatest potential. Through Project A, Alexander has gained the chance to work with Michael Corbidge (Royal Shakespeare Company), Ros Steen (former head of voice at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland), and Newcastle-based dance company Ballet Lorent.

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How the Award Helped

Alexander received an Award to support him in applying himself fully to his work with Project A.  He writes;

‘My Dewar Arts Award has helped me to completely focus on my studies and make the best use of this incredible opportunity. In addition to working with an amazing list of industry professionals, this award has enabled me to attend extracurricular theatre trips to increase my learning and understanding of professional performance. The trustees’ faith in my ability has not only increased my self-confidence but also my chances of success as a professional actor. I have been able to prioritise my learning, develop as an actor and stand a much greater chance of reaching my potential. Without this award I may not have been in a position to take up this opportunity. Therefore, I am incredibly grateful for this support and the opportunities it has given.’

Since the Award

Update June 2019:

‘The course has been in full swing for ten months now. I have had an incredible time, met amazing people, and learned so much in the process.

We have started rehearsals for our end of course performance. We are performing Bertolt Brecht’s ‘Fear and Misery of the Third Reich’. It takes place in pre-war Nazi Germany and follows the lives of different characters trying to find their place in an ever changing fascist state.

It has been an incredible process so far and I am getting the chance to put everything I have learned this year into practice.’

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"The trustees' faith in my ability has not only increased my self-confidence but also my chances of success as a professional actor"

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2018 Awardee: Conor McLeod

"The Award will support me in achieving my dream of attending Drama School"

YEAR OF AWARD: 2018
AGE AT AWARD: 25
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/cmpunksnotdead

Biography

Conor is an actor hailing from Glasgow.  During his time with the Kings Theatre’s Attic Collective, he took part in three productions on the Edinburgh King’s stage.  This included the World Premiere of Jo Clifford’s ‘War In America’, which became a published play with the original casts names.

Conor was part of Open Door Year One, which helped working class actors with audition fees and tutoring at drama school. Conor successfully auditioned for Guildhall to study a BA in Acting.

How the Award Helped

Conor’s Award supported his studies at Guildhall and enabled him to gain experience of theatre in London as an audience member.  His Award also enabled him to travel back home to Scotland, and to visit his mother who was diagnosed with breast cancer.

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"The Award will support me in achieving my dream of attending Drama School"

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2018 Awardee: Hannah Kelso

"This industry is highly competitive but I am now in the right place and equipped with the right tools for the future"

YEAR OF AWARD: 2018
AGE AT AWARD: 29
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Originally from the small town of Alloa in Clackmannanshire, Hannah moved to Glasgow to study Screen at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.  There, she wrote, developed and shot her own short films and developed a passion for screenwriting. She wrote and directed her graduation film ‘Crescent’,  and this became runner up at the ‘Sci-Fi Film Festival’ in Australia. She spent the next few years developing short films and writing a treatment for her first feature film.

In 2018, Hannah gained a place to study on the prestigious National Film & Television School MA Screenwriting course. This enabled her to develop and write her first TV pilot, as well as animations and her first feature film.

Hannah gained an interview at Warner Brothers. She was given the opportunity to represent them as a Creative Talent Scholar for 2019, offering huge benefits for her future as a screenwriter.

How the Award Helped

Hannah’s Award supported her studies at the NFTS. She writes;

“Without this award, it is unlikely I could have afforded the living costs needed to stay in close proximity to the NFTS and complete my course. The Dewar Award has alleviated the financial pressure I was struggling with and I can truly focus my mind on my art. As a writer, this is a wonderful and rare gift to be entrusted with. This industry is highly competitive but I am now in the right place and equipped with the right tools for the future.”

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"This industry is highly competitive but I am now in the right place and equipped with the right tools for the future"

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2018 Awardee: Hugo Eedle

"Being supported by the Dewar Arts Awards has been invaluable towards my journey as a musician...it has enabled me to study abroad with a teacher who inspires me"

YEAR OF AWARD: 2018
AGE AT AWARD: 20
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Hailing from Dumfries, Hugo began playing cello aged 11. At 14, he successfully auditioned to Chetham’s School of Music, where he studied with Nicholas Jones.

Hugo went on to study with Thomas Carroll at the Royal College of Music, and at the Hochschule fur Musik und Tanz in Cologne, with Thomas Carroll. His studies have been supported by the Dewar Arts Awards and by the Holywood Trust.

Hugo has taken part in masterclasses with Karine Georgian, Guy Johnson, Robert Cohen, and Francis Gouten. He has performed with Chetham’s Symphony Orchestra at venues such as the Royal Festival Hall, Bridgewater Hall, Milton Court, and Dukes Hall. He has performed many solo concerts as well as with his quartet, who won the Dewhust Torevell competition.

Hugo’s ambitions are to study a masters degree in Germany, and then perform as a soloist and chamber musician in and around Europe.

How the Award Helped

Hugo received support from the Dewar Arts Awards for his studies, enabling him to further his ambitions to become a professional musician.

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"Being supported by the Dewar Arts Awards has been invaluable towards my journey as a musician...it has enabled me to study abroad with a teacher who inspires me"

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2018 Awardee: Joseph Stevenson

"With the help of an extremely generous Dewar Arts Award I was able to afford the tuition fees...I would have really struggled without the financial assistance I received"

YEAR OF AWARD: 2018
AGE AT AWARD: 22
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Joseph grew up in the small town of Moffat in Dumfriesshire, where he taught himself guitar from a young age. He began playing in bands and then went on to write and record his own music.

Having released his first original progressive rock EP in 2013, Joseph was accepted to study at the University of Edinburgh the following year. During his time at university, he wrote and recorded three more albums ranging from rock to traditional music.  As his skills progressed, Joseph began to focus on a career in music for film, TV and video games.

Joseph applied to the highly competitive Composing for Film and TV course at the National Film and Television School in London, and was one of only eight people accepted to start in 2019.

Joseph has shown himself to be an ambitious and innovative composer, who demonstrates originality, passion and profound talent.

How the Award Helped

Joseph’s Dewar Arts Award supported his studies at the NFTS.

Since the Award

In 2021, Joseph’s compositions appeared on the NFTS film Night of the Living Dread.  The film was nominated as a finalist for a BAFTA Los Angeles Best Student Film Award.

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"With the help of an extremely generous Dewar Arts Award I was able to afford the tuition fees...I would have really struggled without the financial assistance I received"

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2018 Awardee: Laura Wilson

"I feel extremely grateful to be supported by the Dewar Arts Awards...it has given me a further boost of motivation and determination to develop as a musician and therapist."

YEAR OF AWARD: 2018
AGE AT AWARD: 26
ARTFORMS: , ,
 
 
 

Biography

Laura began her musical journey aged five, learning piano with her grandmother. She soon began immersing herself in the classical world further, studying the viola and flute. This led her to continue her education at St. Mary’s Music School.

Laura was awarded a scholarship to study at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester (RNCM). Here, she performed and learned with some of the world’s leading musicians, including the resident orchestra for the Montepulciano Arts Festival in 2012 and 2013.

Afrer graduating, Laura worked as a freelance viola player across the UK and Europe, playing with a number of different ensembles. She became engaged in international charitable work, providing musical respite for vulnerable individuals.  This inspired her to share her music with a range of audiences, and so she travelled around the world busking with her viola.

Laura believes that music speaks to everybody. She continues to expand her musical boundaries by pushing herself out of her comfort zone as often as possible. She performs in a range of settings – from nursing homes, community centres, bars and cafes, exploring ways to engage audiences outside of the classical spectrum.  She also records samples for music producers and DJs.

Laura’s work volunteering for charities led her to become a music therapist. She has since seen the benefits of her work in Romania and Bulgaria. She is driven to help people through a therapeutic relationship with music, and aims to share her knowledge with people who are vulnerable in society.  She aims to work in settings such as prisons, with refugees, and in countries that have suffered as a result of war.

Having chosen to undertake formal qualifications in music therapy, Laura aims to use her skills in creative and imaginative ways. She feels confident that she has embarked on the right path, and that Music Therapy will continue to direct her passion, energy and focus.

How the Award Helped

Laura’s Award supported her in studing an MA in Music Therapy at the University of the West of England.

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"I feel extremely grateful to be supported by the Dewar Arts Awards...it has given me a further boost of motivation and determination to develop as a musician and therapist."

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