2019 Awardee: Craig Manson

Craig Manson

"The performance I presented has now gained interest from programmers and venues in London and is now being developed further, none of which could have happened if not for the Dewar Arts Awards"

YEAR OF AWARD: 2019
AGE AT AWARD: 25
ARTFORMS: ,
WEBSITE:https://www.craigmanson.info/
 
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/_craigmanson

Biography

Craig Manson is a Glasgow-based artist originally from Caithness who makes performance for clubs, cabaret and theatres. He graduated with a first class honours in Contemporary Performance Practice from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in 2016. Since then he has shown work across the UK in association with Buzzcut, Take Me Somewhere, CCA Glasgow, Camden People’s Theatre & The Art School. Craig has also become a fixture in Glasgow’s nightlife, performing and hosting regularly at club nights such as Queer Theory and Shoot Your Shot.

Coming from a working class background, Craig is interested in how performance and live art practices can become more accessible to that audience. All his work has this in mind and he deliberately places it in contexts such as clubs or late night cabarets to reach those who may not have been exposed to it before. Artistically, Craig’s work uses choreography, comedy and improvisation to explore the connections between sexuality, gender, capitalism and mythology.

How the Award Helped

Craig’s Award helped to fund a week-long residency in London, to present new work at The Yard theatre.

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Craig Manson

"The performance I presented has now gained interest from programmers and venues in London and is now being developed further, none of which could have happened if not for the Dewar Arts Awards"

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2019 Awardee: Taylor Hall

Taylor Hall

"I am so grateful for this award as it has allowed me to...move to Edinburgh for the during of the Fringe in order to fully commit to this project"

YEAR OF AWARD: 2019
AGE AT AWARD: 19
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Taylor is an actor from Glasgow, whose ambition is to champion Scottish theatre and film. She studied an HND Acting and Performance course at the City of Glasgow College, and believes that ‘great actors never stop learning’.

Taylor was described as ‘outstanding’ when she auditioned for a production of The Brunch Club, directed by Ben Harrison.  She gained a key role in the production with  SDTN and Grid Iron, and performed at the Edinburgh Fringe.

How the Award Helped

Taylor’s Award supported her time in Edinburgh while she performed in The Brunch Club.

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Taylor Hall

"I am so grateful for this award as it has allowed me to...move to Edinburgh for the during of the Fringe in order to fully commit to this project"

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2019 Awardee: Timothy Edmundson

"Quite simply, without the financial support of the Dewar Awards, I wouldn't be able to undertake my place at the RCS and continue my studies in the opera school. I now look forward to focusing and taking full advantage of the opportunities of the programme without worrying about my finances."

YEAR OF AWARD: 2019
AGE AT AWARD: 26
ARTFORMS: , ,
WEBSITE:http://www.timothyedmundson.com
 
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/tedmundsonbari

Biography

Timothy is a British baritone who is a graduate of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS) with a Bachelor of Music (Honours) and a Master of Music. In 2019, Timothy gained a place at the Alexander Gibson Opera School (RCS) to study under the tutelage of Scott Johnson and Duncan Williams. He is grateful for his studies being supported by the Dewar Arts Awards, the Clemence Charitable Trust, the Kathleen Trust, the McGlashan Charitable Trust, the Mario Lanza Educational Foundation and an RCS Trust Scholarship.

Operatic highlights include his role debuts as Macheath Die Dreigroschenoper and Betto di Signa Gianni Schicchi, both for RCS Opera, Papageno Die Zauberflöte for Berlin Opernfest, the title role in The Marriage of Figaro for Edinburgh Studio Opera and Schaunard La Bohème for Edinburgh Grand Opera. For the 2020/21 season, he was scheduled to sing Curio Giulio Cesare, Minskman Flight, Le Chat in L’enfant et les sortilèges with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and the role of Count Almaviva in Le nozze di Figaro with Ensemble Orquesta. However, due to Covid-19, these performances were cancelled.

Scenic roles and covers include Faninal Der Rosenkavalier, 1st Lieutenant Billy Budd and Vater Hänsel und Gretel, Sam Trouble in Tahiti, Valentin Faust, Zurga Les Pêcheurs de Perles, Count Almaviva Le Nozze di Figaro, Malatesta Don Pasqaule, Guglielmo Così fan tutte and the title roles in Don Giovanni and Gianni Schicchi. Chorus work has led to him performing at prestigious events such as the Edinburgh International Festival and the BBC Proms under the baton of conductors including Gustavo Dudamel, Daniel Barenboim and Sir Andrew Davis. Works including Mahler Symphony No.2, Stravinsky The Rake’s Progress, Wagner Götterdämmerung and Scottish Opera’s The Fiery Angel by Prokofiev.

On the concert platform, Timothy is in demand throughout the United Kingdom and Europe with repertoire including Handel ‘Messiah’, Duruflé ‘Requiem’, Fauré ‘Requiem’, Puccini ‘Messa di Gloria’, Mozart ‘Requiem’ and Beethoven ‘Symphony No.9’, which he performed at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. As a lay clerk with the Choir of Glasgow Cathedral, he is a frequent soloist, and was soloist with them for Haydn’s ‘The Creation’. He has taken part in masterclasses with Patricia MacMahon, Philip Moll, Gidon Saks, Nicky Spence and Christopher Purves.

How the Award Helped

Timothy’s Award enabled him to study at the Alexander Gibson Opera School (RCS) under the tutelage of Scott Johnson and Duncan Williams.

Since the Award

In the 2020/21 season, Timothy became a member of the ‘Bridging the Gap’ scheme with the Dunedin Consort.

Timothy Edmundson performs Papageno’s Suicide Aria in Die Zauberflöte. Recorded live at OpernFest 2018 with Berlin Opera Academy.

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"Quite simply, without the financial support of the Dewar Awards, I wouldn't be able to undertake my place at the RCS and continue my studies in the opera school. I now look forward to focusing and taking full advantage of the opportunities of the programme without worrying about my finances."

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2019 Awardee: Mari-Anne Green

“Without the incredible support I have had from [the Dewar Awards], I would never have been able to take up my place on my dream course at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. I am enjoying and making the most of every moment there and the fact that Dewar have decided to support me inspires me to push to do the best I possibly can with this amazing opportunity.”

YEAR OF AWARD: 2019
AGE AT AWARD: 22
ARTFORMS: ,
WEBSITE:https://www.facebook.com/marigreenmusic/
 
TWITTER: https://www.instagram.com/marigreen.music/

Biography

Mari Green is a jazz vocalist from Glasgow, who is influenced by a wide range of artists and styles of music. She fell in love with jazz at 13, on discovering her gran’s old cassette tapes and is heavily influenced by vocal improvisers such as

Mari became involved with the Strathclyde Youth Jazz Orchestra and was mentored and taught by leading UK jazz pianist and Dewar Arts Awardee, Alan Benzie, as well as jazz vocalist Stephen Duffy. In 2018 she joined the National Youth Jazz Orchestra of Scotland.

Mari is also a talented songwriter and composer. Her own work is inspired not only by jazz, but also other styles such as RnB and soul music. In 2016, she was selected to perform her original music at the Music For Youth Proms at the Royal Albert Hall in London. She went on to successfully gain a place to study at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London.

How the Award Helped

Mari’s Award supported her studies at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

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“Without the incredible support I have had from [the Dewar Awards], I would never have been able to take up my place on my dream course at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. I am enjoying and making the most of every moment there and the fact that Dewar have decided to support me inspires me to push to do the best I possibly can with this amazing opportunity.”

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2019 Awardee: Thomas Cameron

Thomas Cameron

"Receiving a Dewar Arts Award has been very encouraging and will allow me to produce a body of work focusing on the places and people of Glasgow"

YEAR OF AWARD: 2019
AGE AT AWARD: 26
ARTFORMS: ,
WEBSITE:https://www.thomascameronart.co.uk
 
 

Biography

Thomas is a visual artist who has (so far) lived in Scotland all his life. He has been described by his tutor as having ‘a very particular artistic vision’ which stands out for ‘it’s poetic charge and Romantic referencing’.  Thomas has a fluency in his painting which ‘transforms these otherwise mundane vistas into paintings of subtle beauty’ and a natural facility for drawing that has ‘enabled him to render the things he sees effortlessly’.

Thomas studied Fine Art at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, and Karlsruhe Academy of Fine Art.

Since graduating, Thomas has continued to develop his skills, and produced a solo exhibition at the Sutton Gallery in Edinburgh. This attracted critical praise for his distinct poetic vision. Thomas received the support of the Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation on two occasions, which helped to accelerate his career and cement the potential he demonstrated. He is set to become an artist of significance.

Thomas’ paintings stem from an interest in the moments that often go overlooked due to their familiarity. He works with a wide range of subjects and approaches these intuitively. He is drawn to candid moments, domestic scenes, and fleeting moments of beauty in the everyday. His painting focus on atmosphere and often have a suggestion of narrative, like still frames from a film.

How the Award Helped

Thomas received a Dewar Arts Award to enable him to travel and create, as well as to maintain a studio space at Trongate 103 in Glasgow.

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Thomas Cameron

"Receiving a Dewar Arts Award has been very encouraging and will allow me to produce a body of work focusing on the places and people of Glasgow"

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2019 Awardee: Iain Clarke

iain clarke pianist

"The award has helped enormously towards the funding of my Master of Performance degree at the Royal College of Music in London, allowing me to work with world class teachers and begin my career in one of the cultural capitals of the world."

YEAR OF AWARD: 2019
AGE AT AWARD: 22
ARTFORMS: ,
WEBSITE:https://www.facebook.com/iainclarkepiano
 
 

Biography

Born on the Isle of Arran, Iain is a critically-acclaimed classical pianist.

After making his concerto debut aged 16 with the Junior RCS Symphony Orchestra, he went on to gain his ATCL diploma in piano with distinction aged 17 and since then has achieved Grade 8 saxophone and clarinet with distinction.

He has won a great number of prizes including 1st prize in the Moray Piano Competition, 1st prize in the National (UK and Ireland) final of the Rotary Young Musician, 1st prize in the RCS’s Dunbar Gerber chamber music competition, 1st in the Lamond Prize solo piano competition, and 2nd prize in the RCS Walcer Prize for Chopin piano solo.

In 2019 he performed his international recital debut at Kaunas Piano Fest in Lithuania. He also gained his Bachelor’s degree from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS) with First Class Honours, studying with Jonathan Plowright and Heather Slade-Lipkin, with additional tuition from the likes of Olga Kern and Steven Osborne.

Iain went on to gain a place to study on the Master of Performance course at the Royal College of Music in London.

He has performed extensively across the UK in venues including Barbican Hall, Wigmore Hall, Usher Hall and Glasgow City Halls. He has aspirations to make a career as a soloist or collaborative pianist working with orchestras and instrumental soloists.

How the Award Helped

Iain’s Award supported his studies at the Royal College of Music in London.

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iain clarke pianist

"The award has helped enormously towards the funding of my Master of Performance degree at the Royal College of Music in London, allowing me to work with world class teachers and begin my career in one of the cultural capitals of the world."

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2019 Awardee: Alexis Tie-Gill

"The Dewar Arts Award has allowed me to develop my playing and my music without having to constantly worry about the cost. It has allowed me to broaden my horizons and have big goals for the future. I hope to become a professional musician and share my music with others."

YEAR OF AWARD: 2019
AGE AT AWARD: 13
ARTFORMS: , ,
 
 
 

Biography

Alexis Tie-Gill is a violinist and pianist. She began playing both instruments at the age of 9, and by 13 had demonstrated an exceptional talent.  She won several competitions at the Edinburgh Music Festival and was selected to play in the Junior National Youth Orchestra of Scotland for two years in a row. In the second year, she was selected as leader of the orchestra. As well as performing in many concerts, Alexis gained a distinction for her Grade 7 piano and a merit for Grade 7 violin.

In 2014 Alexis’ father passed away, and she became concerned about the costs her family incurred through her participation in music. She applied to the Dewar Arts Awards for support, to enable her to continue to develop her skills as a musician without placing a financial burden on her family.

How the Award Helped

Alexis received an Award to support her with her orchestral and tuition fees, and to purchase a new violin.

She writes;

“I am very grateful to everyone at Dewar Arts Awards…I have been able to purchase a violin which is the right size for me, which suits my playing and allows me to express myself. From the funding, I will be able to have the opportunity to lead the Junior National Youth Orchestra of Scotland and be taught privately by professional musicians who will help me to achieve my goals and become a successful musician. Dewar Arts has given me many opportunities which I never would have experienced without them.”

Since the Award

Update April 2020:

Alexis received an additional award to support her participation in Senior NYOS, RCS and summer camps for violin and piano. She achieved grade 8 on both piano and vioin whilst in her third year of senior school, was ‘Highly Commended’ for the RCS Gilbert Innes Prize for Piano, and gained Second Prize in the Kawai New Piano Stars competition (Age 14-15).

“Receiving a Dewar Arts Award has allowed me to become a more open-minded musician and to take hold of new opportunities which come my way. It has also encouraged me to have high hopes and aspirations for the future. I am grateful for the help which Dewar Arts has given me and hope that one day I will be able to give back through my music making”

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"The Dewar Arts Award has allowed me to develop my playing and my music without having to constantly worry about the cost. It has allowed me to broaden my horizons and have big goals for the future. I hope to become a professional musician and share my music with others."

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2019 Awardee: Amy Paterson

"I am so grateful to have received this award...allowing me to branch out and study at a conservatoire level, which will help me reach my goal to become a professional musician."

YEAR OF AWARD: 2019
AGE AT AWARD: 17
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Amy is a Tenor Horn player from the small town of Campbeltown in the West of Scotland.

From a very young age, Amy demonstrated a musical maturity and ability far beyond her years. It was clear that she had a real gift for music. Much of Amy’s success as a musician has come from her determination for accuracy and her commitment to embracing all musical opportunities available to her.

Coming from a remote location meant Amy often had to travel long distances for playing opportunities. In spite of this, as a young musician she committed herself to several nights a week with a brass band as well as taking on solo and ceilidh gigs with her fiddle. She also taught younger pupils privately, being highly regarded by parents and pupils alike.

At school, she proved herself to be an asset – taking part in countless shows, concerts and community playing events. She also took the role of principle horn with the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland for several years running, and won a number of awards and solo competitions.

When receiving her Dewar Arts Award in 2019, she was the Scottish Brass solo champion and had been featured in Les Neish’s Rising Stars section in the British Bandsman magazine. She gained a place to study Tenor Horn Performance at the Royal Northern College Of Music, with her ambition being to develop her performance skills and pass on her knowledge through teaching others.

How the Award Helped

Amy’s Dewar Arts Award supported her in taking up her place to study at the Royal Northern College of Music.

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"I am so grateful to have received this award...allowing me to branch out and study at a conservatoire level, which will help me reach my goal to become a professional musician."

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2019 Awardee: Ciaran Roberts-Osterberg

"I cannot express how amazing it feels to be a Dewar Artist, and how grateful I am for the award...I would not be able to take up my place at Berklee if it wasn’t for the help that Dewar has so graciously given me."

YEAR OF AWARD: 2019
AGE AT AWARD: 18
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Ciaran is a multi-instrumentalist from Dundee, who started taking lessons on the drums, piano and vocals at school as a way to cope with bullying from his classmates. Ciaran is autistic, which presents challenges for him in everyday life (such as social interactions, mental processing and understanding how other people think). However, music is something that comes very easily to him, and in which he has been able to flourish.

Having studied jazz and improvisation since the age of 15, Ciaran was inspired by greats such as Ella Fitzgerald, Herbie Hancock, Elvin Jones and Charlie Parker.  This led him to aspire to his dream of attending Berklee College of Music and becoming a professional musician.

On achieving an offer from Berklee, Ciaran engaged in a campaign to gain the funding required to cover his studies.  He agained support and endorsement from trusts, individuals and celebrities including Curtis Stigers and five-times Grammy Award winner Antonio Sanchez.

Ciaran has achieved some major milestones, including headlining in the Dundee Jazz Festival with his Trio, performing for the US Consulate, playing at the famed Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in London, and performing for the Royal Family at Windsor Castle. He has played with top UK musicians such as Liane Carroll, Alan Benzie, Pete Johnston, Gordon McNeil, Malcolm Edmonstone, Jules Jackson, and Rick Taylor. He has also had the opportunity to play with Grammy-winner and Berklee film scoring faculty, Claudio Ragazzi.

Ciaran hopes that his studies at Berklee will enable him to meet and have the opportunity to play with some of the best international young talent, as well as some of the music industry’s top performers.

He aims to specialise in Jazz, as well as continuing to perform in multiple genres by leading his own groups and performing with other ensembles as a “sideman”. He hopes to tour internationally, to become an accomplished composer and arranger, and also to become an educator, an autism activist and a motivational speaker.

How the Award Helped

Ciaran’s Award supported him in achieving his dream of studying at Berklee College of Music.

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"I cannot express how amazing it feels to be a Dewar Artist, and how grateful I am for the award...I would not be able to take up my place at Berklee if it wasn’t for the help that Dewar has so graciously given me."

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2019 Awardee: Frances Allen

"I hope that this creative direction, along with the industry connections that the RCA can facilitate, will be formative in my career as a Sound Artist."

YEAR OF AWARD: 2019
AGE AT AWARD: 22
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Born in Inverness, Frances started playing the piano at the age of 6. At age 11 she took up the saxophone which then became her principal study.

After receiving a distinction in Classical saxophone, Frances went on to study Music at the Reid School of Music, University of Edinburgh, in 2014. Whilst at Edinburgh, Frances studied Jazz saxophone and improvisation with Edinburgh-based saxophonist Zack Moir, and Classical saxophone with internationally renowned saxophonist Richard Ingham.

Alongside performance, Frances began to explore her compositional ideas under the tuition of Dr Gareth Williams. Improvisation heavily influenced her compositional practices and she began to experiment with the relationship between visual art and musical principles. With her work, Frances drew inspiration from a range of 20th century artists and designs.

After graduating in 2018, Frances has gone on to study her Masters in Sound Design at the Royal College of Art, in London. As part of the School of Communication, Frances is interested in bringing together music and design to explore the possibilities for immersive and interactive composition.

How the Award Helped

Frances’ Award has made is possible for her to study at the RCA and to afford the tuition fees for her Masters.

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"I hope that this creative direction, along with the industry connections that the RCA can facilitate, will be formative in my career as a Sound Artist."

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