2020 Awardee: Sonya Smullen

sonya smullen set designer

"I sincerely value the support of the Dewar Arts Awards. It has granted me the possibility to devote myself to my studies at the Wimbledon College of Arts and develop my potential as a theatre maker. Without their support, the reality I live in would still only be a dream."

YEAR OF AWARD: 2020
AGE AT AWARD: 17
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Sonya Smullen is a theatre set designer from Glasgow. Whilst studying Music History at the Music School of Douglas Academy, she discovered a love of set design whilst watching operatic performances. Realising that the design of the space can have an extraordinary effect on performer and audience alike, she moved to London to study Theatre Design at The Wimbledon College of Arts.

In November 2020 she was selected as a finalist for the Prague Quadrennial festival for a site specific immersive design proposal of Karel Capek’s Play ‘The White Plague’. Sonya was also chosen to showcase her work in response to the archive of theatre designer Jocelyn Herbert at the National Theatre symposium ‘Staging the Future’ in March 2021.

After being nominated to study abroad, she was accepted by the Weissensee Academy of Art Berlin to spend an academic year on the Fine Arts Stage and Costume Design programme in Germany.

Her studies at Wimbledon have enabled her to follow the aspirations she had while sitting in her lessons in Music History. Looking to the future, she hopes to work across a multidisciplinary platform, collaborating with a variety of artists to find new approaches for theatre making.

How the Award Helped

Her Dewar Arts Award helped Sonya to complete her BA Theatre Design studies at the University of the Arts London.

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sonya smullen set designer

"I sincerely value the support of the Dewar Arts Awards. It has granted me the possibility to devote myself to my studies at the Wimbledon College of Arts and develop my potential as a theatre maker. Without their support, the reality I live in would still only be a dream."

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2020 Awardee: Ryan MacKenzie

ryan mackenzie musician

"Doing a Master’s degree is the best thing I could have done for myself right now, and it wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the Dewar Arts Awards. Thank you!"

YEAR OF AWARD: 2020
AGE AT AWARD: 25
ARTFORMS: ,
WEBSITE:http://ryanmackenzie.co.uk/
 
TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/_ryanmackenzie

Biography

Raised in Buckie, around the coast from Aberdeen, Ryan grew up surrounded by Strathspey’s rich folk music scene. He went on to study piano at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland with Nadia Boulanger alumnus Norman Beedie, before moving to London. Here he spent a couple of years in high demand as a music director and session player, before studying for a Master’s degree in composition and arranging at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

As a pianist and keyboard player, Ryan’s concert work has included such celebrated productions as BBC Children in Need, Time Flies: 100 Years of the RAF, the West End Does series, and the RSNO’s annual St. Andrews Night celebrations.

His musical theatre credits include Les Misérables (International Tour), Guys and Dolls (Savoy Theatre & UK Tour), West Side Story (International Tour), Mary Poppins (International Tour), and a workshop of Starlight Express with Andrew Lloyd Webber and Arlene Phillips. And as an arranger and orchestrator, he has written for some of the country’s most prolific ensembles, including the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, and Scottish Chamber Orchestra.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award has enabled Ryan to continue his piano studies at Masters Degree level.

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ryan mackenzie musician

"Doing a Master’s degree is the best thing I could have done for myself right now, and it wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the Dewar Arts Awards. Thank you!"

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2020 Awardee: Myrna Tennant

myrna tennant singer

"I feel incredibly honoured and grateful to be a recipient of the Dewar Arts Awards. I can say with certainty that I would not have been able to pursue my Artist Masters studies if it had not been for the generous support I received. Thank you!"

YEAR OF AWARD: 2020
AGE AT AWARD: 24
ARTFORMS: , ,
WEBSITE:https://www.myrnatennant.com/
 
 

Biography

Born in the Netherlands, Myrna started music lessons at a young age, quickly developing a passion for singing. She completed her undergraduate studies at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland under the tutelage of Helen Lawson, graduating with a Bachelor with Honours of the First Class, after which she spent two years working as a freelance performer and studying on a part-time basis with Wilma MacDougall.

Myrna has performed across the UK in venues like The Bridgewater Hall and Glasgow City Halls. She regularly performs as a solo recitalist and has been the soloist in various oratorios including Haydn’s Missa Sancti Nicolai, Mozart’s Requiem, and Handel’s Messiah. She has also been a soloist in works including Britten’s Rejoice in the Lamb and Vaughan Williams’ Serenade to Music. Opera highlights include the title role in Massenet’s Cendrillon, Galatea (Acis and Galatea), Sandman (Hansel and Gretel), and Héro (Béatrice et Bénédict, scenes).

A keen small ensemble singer, Myrna has sung regularly with RCS Voices, with whom she has recorded for the RSNO and has performed in the St Magnus International Festival, the Aberdeen International Youth Festival, and the Edinburgh Fringe. She is proud to be an alumnus of the Genesis Sixteen 2017/18 programme with Harry Christophers. Myrna has also been an opera chorus member for the RCS, Blackbird Opera, and an RCS/Scottish Opera collaboration.

Myrna has won prizes including the Keldwyth Award, the AESS Courtney Kenny Award, and the Norma Greig French Song Prize, and she was a semi-finalist in the prestigious Handel Singing Competition in 2019. She has participated in courses including British Youth Opera, the Art of Song, and Samling Academy, and has had the benefit of working with outstanding vocal coaches including Patricia McMahon, Roderick Williams, Iain Burnside, Julia Lynch, and Joan Rodgers.

How the Award Helped

Myrna’s Dewar Arts Award helped her on to the Artist Masters programme at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London.

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myrna tennant singer

"I feel incredibly honoured and grateful to be a recipient of the Dewar Arts Awards. I can say with certainty that I would not have been able to pursue my Artist Masters studies if it had not been for the generous support I received. Thank you!"

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Awardee: Tony Polo

"The Dewar Arts Award has given me the opportunity to train at my dream school and for that I am incredibly grateful. Without their generosity I am not sure how or if I would have managed."

YEAR OF AWARD:
AGE AT AWARD:
ARTFORMS:
 
 
 

Biography

Since 2016, dance has been a huge part of Tony Polo’s life. He began his journey at Dance Studio Scotland in Anniesland. At that time he was 18 years old and had no prior experience, so he felt very out of his depth. However, as time passed he learned that with hard work and determination he was able to do accomplish his ambitions.

Tony’s training at Dance Studio Scotland was very broad, encapsulating various styles of dance including Ballet, Contemporary, Tap and Jazz. He was also able to work with dancers and choreographers from all over the world, most notably in a Merce Cunningham and John Cage project with Julie Cunningham in Glasgow. Alongside his peers he performed a segment from legendary choreographer Merce Cunningham’s piece ‘Second Hand’.

In 2019, Tony auditioned for the Scottish Ballet’s Youth Exchange Programme. He was successful in gaining a place, which allowed him to work with many highly skilled choreographers. He and also had the enviable chance to perform in New York and in Italy as part of the prestigious Torino Danza Festival.

Tony says he has had some of the best experiences of his life through dance, including being featured in a professional music video for the song ‘Magnetic’ by Seafret and performing on stage as part of the annual show with Dance Studio Scotland entitled ‘Pulse’.

Tony has also had the opportunity to teach. As part of a work placement, he shadowed staff at the Scottish Ballet while they taught classes to people who suffer from Parkinson’s disease. In the final week he was also able to teach his own class, and found the experience to be incredibly touching.

After graduating with an A from Dance Studio Scotland, Tony auditioned and gained a place at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance in Leeds. He hopes in the future be part of a touring contemporary dance company.

How the Award Helped

Tony’s Award supported his studies at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance.

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"The Dewar Arts Award has given me the opportunity to train at my dream school and for that I am incredibly grateful. Without their generosity I am not sure how or if I would have managed."

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2020 Awardee: Anya Phillips

Anya Phillips

"Having this Dewar Award has meant that [Anya] could keep this journey going...without it it would have been impossible...Thank you so so much"

YEAR OF AWARD: 2020
AGE AT AWARD: 16
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Anya is an accomplished ballet dancer, who started dancing at the young age of 2 1/2 at CSBS Falkirk. During her time there, she took part in many dance productions, as well as gaining the opportunity to feature in TV commercials, STV Children’s Appeal and a range of events.

Anya was successful in gaining a place in Scottish Ballet Junior Associates, Junior Conservatoire at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and also SMB company with Sara Maria Barton.

During her time with the Scottish Ballet, Anya successfully auditioned for a place in ‘The Nutcracker’. She toured with the production to Edinburgh, Glasgow and Newcastle – and thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity. She was then successful in auditioning for the Dance School of Scotland where she boarded for 4 years (and loved every minute).

In her fourth year at the Dance School of Scotland, Anya auditioned for a sought after place at the prestigious Central School of Ballet as well as Elmhurst Ballet School.  She was successful in both auditions, and decided to study at Central on the 3 year BA (Hons) course.

How the Award Helped

Anya received an Award to support her accommodation and living costs at the Central School of Ballet.

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Anya Phillips

"Having this Dewar Award has meant that [Anya] could keep this journey going...without it it would have been impossible...Thank you so so much"

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2020 Awardee: Jacqueline Wheeler

Jacqueline Wheeler

"The Dewar Arts Award has made it possible for me to accomplish my dream of studying at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in London. I will forever be grateful for this amazing opportunity."

YEAR OF AWARD: 2020
AGE AT AWARD: 18
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Jacqueline Wheeler is a multi-instrumentalist from Lanarkshire. Growing up in a musical family, Jacqueline began taking guitar lessons at an early age, later progressing onto other instruments including the bass guitar and piano when in her early teens. Discovering a strong affinity to jazz piano, at the age of 16 she began studying at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland’s Junior Department where she had the opportunity to study with outstanding jazz musicians such as Paul Towndrow, Tom Gibbs, Pete Johnston, and John Lowery. Her studies here enhanced her musicianship and confidence through participation in piano lessons, jazz ensembles, big band, jazz harmony classes, composition, and regular public performances.

As well as regularly performing and jamming with other like-minded young jazz musicians, Jacqueline takes her performance skills and musicianship outside of jazz genre. She plays regular rock and pop gigs for large audiences, including North Lanarkshire’s prestigious ‘Rockfest’ competition in Motherwell Concert Hall, where she received an award for ‘Best Individual Performance’ in 2020.

Jacqueline has a strong interest in other genres outside of jazz, especially R&B, hip-hop, soul, and house. She takes influence from these genres and incorporates them into her own music. Her hard work, talent and passion for music paid off in 2020 when she was offered a place to study jazz piano at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in London. Jacqueline had dreamed of studying at this world class institution, to equip her with the skills and connections to guide her in her musical development and into the world of professional music.

Jacqueline hopes to inspire the next generation of musicians through her work and her journey to success.  She is a keen composer and music-producer and hopes to release her own original music.

How the Award Helped

Jacqueline’s Dewar Arts Award enabled her to study jazz piano at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music & Dance in London.

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Jacqueline Wheeler

"The Dewar Arts Award has made it possible for me to accomplish my dream of studying at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in London. I will forever be grateful for this amazing opportunity."

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2020 Awardee: Kari Hall

“The Dewar Award has allowed me to pursue my dreams of going to drama school. Without this award, this would have remained a dream, thank you so much for making this my reality.”

YEAR OF AWARD: 2020
AGE AT AWARD: 20
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Born and raised in a small town just outside of Edinburgh, Kari has always had a burning passion for the performing arts. For her, this was a safe place where she always felt free and was able to excel.

After studying her HND in Acting and Performance at New College Lanarkshire in 2019, Kari gained her place at The Bridge Theatre Training Company.

In her time away from her studies, she has worked in a full time role at the Scottish government, as well as with the Citizens Theatre Young Co on the show ‘Adrift’ where she took on the main role of ‘Cammy’. Kari particularly enjoyed working on this piece due to the themes of mental health and her advocacy on the subject.

Kari also has an interest in playwriting, and to pursue this she became part of the Traverse Theatre’s ‘Young Writers’.

After completion of her studies, Kari hopes to have strong foundations and relationships within both Scottish and London theatre. She dreams of one day working with theatre companies such as Frantic Assembly alongside writing and producing her own work, which she hopes to take to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

How the Award Helped

Kari received a Dewar Arts Award to support her studies at The Bridge Theatre Training Company in London.

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“The Dewar Award has allowed me to pursue my dreams of going to drama school. Without this award, this would have remained a dream, thank you so much for making this my reality.”

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2020 Awardee: Roisin Lavery

"I am so honoured to be chosen as a Dewar Artist. This award has allowed me to begin my Masters degree in Vocal Performance at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. It has also given me an incredible personal and professional lift as I commence my career as a young opera singer."

YEAR OF AWARD: 2020
AGE AT AWARD: 20
ARTFORMS: , ,
WEBSITE:https://www.facebook.com/rosielavery.co.uk/
 
 

Biography

Rosie Lavery is a ‘Ginger Soprano’, described by her tutor Clare Shearer at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland as ‘innately musical’ with ‘a very special soprano voice that has huge potential’.

Rosie is a Britten-Pears Young Artist 2020, has won the prestigious Governor’s Recital Prize at RCS and was Highly Commended (2nd Place) in the French Song Competition. She has performed recital programmes around Scotland, in venues such as The House of an Art Lover  and Institut Français. She has also completed a residency at the Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA) in Glasgow as one of two singers in a live art installation names ‘An Atmosphere of Joyful Contemplation’.

Following her love of contemporary music, Rosie was a soloist during RCS Plug Festival, premiering a piece by Graeme Law titled ‘This May be for the best’. She has performed all over Europe, including performances of Donizetti’s ‘L’elisir d’amore’ in the Palazzo Corsini in Florence. She has been the soprano soloist with many choirs in Glasgow, including RCS Voices, Academy of Sacred Music and Glasgow Cathedral Choir.

Rosie has been involved in various projects with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, including a radio recording of Bartok’s ‘Der Wünderbar Mandarin’. She was selected for the Associate Artist Programme at RCS, working with Karen Cargill in coachings, masterclasses and residencies.

Rosie is also the Musical Director for Sounds International Choir, and the Assistant Musical Director of the St Andrew’s Cathedral Choir. Her ambition is to perform throughout the world.

How the Award Helped

Rosie’s Award enabled her to study a Masters Degree at the RCS with her respected tutor Clare Shearer.

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"I am so honoured to be chosen as a Dewar Artist. This award has allowed me to begin my Masters degree in Vocal Performance at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. It has also given me an incredible personal and professional lift as I commence my career as a young opera singer."

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2020 Awardee: Christopher Michie

"Receiving this financial help from The Dewar Arts Awards is extremely beneficial and will inevitably allow me to flourish. Thank you so much!"

YEAR OF AWARD: 2020
AGE AT AWARD: 23
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Christopher Michie is a Glasgow based flautist.

As a student at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Christopher received tutelage from Ruth Morley as well as taking part in numerous competitions and ensemble projects. He has been a Concerto Finalist and two-time Chamber Recital Finalist. In 2019, Christopher won the prestigious Governor’s Solo Woodwind Recital Prize and later played alongside the Scottish Chamber Orchestra’s Wind Soloists.

Christopher gained a position on the Live Music Now Scotland scheme as part of the Clark-Michie flute and harp duo, bringing live music to children with additional support needs and the elderly suffering from dementia. As well as performance, Christopher enjoys teaching and pedagogy, and regularly tutors students of all ages.

Christopher is an advocate and ambassador for fair access in the arts. As a former Transitions student at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, he believes that music should be open to everyone from all walks of life.

As an artist, Christopher’s ambition is to build a thriving portfolio career of orchestral, chamber and solo playing.

In 2020, Christopher was accepted to study a masters at the prestigious Royal College of Music in London.

How the Award Helped

Christopher received an Award to support his postgraduate studies at the Royal College of Music.

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"Receiving this financial help from The Dewar Arts Awards is extremely beneficial and will inevitably allow me to flourish. Thank you so much!"

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