Biography

At the time of winning the award, Michael is the current under-12 All-Britain Slow Air Champion, and has won numerous other traditional music competitions. He has played at Celtic Connections, Fiddle 2004 and 2005, Ar Ais Aris in Buncrana, Co. Donegal and other Irish and Scottish traditional music showcases.

Glasgow-born Michael started playing the fiddle at the age of four. As both his older brothers are also keen traditional musicians Michael was exposed to traditional music from a young age. He quickly demonstrated his natural talent and flair for music.

Michael has above average artistic talent and potential for his age and the right temperament to perform on stage. He is one of the best musicians in his age group and has the talent, commitment and enthusiasm to go far. His aim is to become a professional musician, but needs an instrument to match his talent in order to progress.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Awards has enabled Michael to buy a Rab Cherry fiddle.

Since the Award

Michael writes that since receiving his new fiddle his standard of playing has vastly improved. He has since won a clutch of medals in duet, trio, ceilidh band and other group competitions. The achievements he particularly cherishes are winning the All-Scotland Solo Slow Air competition followed by coming 3rd in the British Championships in the 12-15 age group. In 2009 he came first in the Scottish Fiddle Solo competition and then 3rd in the British Championships again. Other highlights of the year were supporting fellow Dewar Arts Awardees, Kathleen Boyle and Lauren McColl, with his group Southside Fiddlers.

Michael says that thanks to his new fiddle, his musical ability and love for music have increased dramatically.

Biography

Even before Armenian-born Ani Batikian started her Masters at the RSAMD, Glasgow, in 2006 she was invited to be guest leader of their Symphony Orchestra, to play with the Hebrides Ensemble and to take two master classes with Ilya Gringoltz.

Ani began her musical studies at the age of 15 at the Yerevan State Conservatoire in Armenia, the youngest student ever to study there and supported by a local scholarship. Receiving the Raffi Manoukian full scholarship meant she could continue her studies at the Royal Academy of Music in London, graduating with a DipRAM for outstanding performance and a PGDip with distinction. When she applied to pursue a Masters at the RSAMD, she was awarded the prestigious International Full Scholarship for being an outstanding MMus student. She now studies with Peter Lissauer.

Ani has performed as a soloist throughout Armenia and Europe. She has performed with some of the major European musicians and received masterclasses with world-class musicians.

Since her arrival at the RSAMD, Ani has underlined her reputation as a musician of exceptional talent by winning the Hilda Bailey Prize, the Governor’s Prize for Chamber Music and the Mabel Glover String Quartet Prize. Shortly after her arrival, Ani formed the Cosmopolitan String Quartet, which she leads, and which has performed throughout Scotland and in London. These positive initial experiences in Glasgow have helped Ani to decide to make Scotland her home, believing that she can establish herself here as a soloist.

Amazingly, Ani has achieved all of this without ever owning her own violin. Throughout her studies she has been able to borrow excellent instruments at each institution, but she has had to give them back at the end of her studies.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award will contribute towards a professional standard violin to match Ani’s prodigious talent.

Since the Award

When looking for the right violin, Ani was advised that when she played a violin that she didn’t want to give back, she would know that she had found the right one. Ani chose a Ciciliati violin and has since played it at numerous concerts.

For more information about Ani, her future concerts, and to listen to some of her recordings, see www.anibatikian.com.