2007 Awardee: Nuala Kennedy

Without the financial assistance of the Dewar Awards I would have been unable to ... attend this extremely inspiring course which has broadened greatly my views on music and helped to shape my musical path.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2007
AGE AT AWARD: 29
ARTFORMS: ,
WEBSITE:https://www.nualakennedy.com
 
 

Biography

Irish-born Nuala Kennedy has been based in the Highlands of Scotland for over 11 years. She is an accomplished and versatile musician. Her flute playing is beautifully lyrical and steeped in the tradition of both Irish and Scottish traditional music

Nuala is a founding member of the two respected Scottish bands Fine Friday and Harem Scarem. A major figure on the Scottish traditional music scene says that “she is at the forefront of a whole crop of dynamic female artists bringing an infectious humour and positivity in their approach to composition, arranging, promotion and performance.”

Nuala has developed strong links with Cape Breton and the music and people there and in 2006 she was awarded a Thyne Scholarship to investigate living composers in Cape Breton. At the 2007 Celtic Connections Festival she received rave reviews for her New Voices commission entitled ‘Astar:Journey’.

Also in 2007 Nuala will be a musician-in-residence at Artomi in New York where she will collaborate with 15 other musicians from around the world to produce work which will be premiered in August 2007. For more information about Nuala see www.nualakennedy.com

Nuala is working on the production of her first solo CD, featuring songs in English and Gaelic.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Awards is contributing towards the production of Nuala’s solo CD.

Since the Award

Nuala writes, “I wanted to bring out an album which reflected my own experience, and to a certain extent my Irish roots a little more.” The album “New Shoes” has been highly praised and was voted Album of the Week in the Irish Times.

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Without the financial assistance of the Dewar Awards I would have been unable to ... attend this extremely inspiring course which has broadened greatly my views on music and helped to shape my musical path.

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2007 Awardee: Oliver Smith

I am delighted that I will be able to continue my animation career, and I will try to live up to your expectations.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2007
AGE AT AWARD: 12
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

It’s not that unusual for a twelve-year-old to be a whizz at computers. But what is remarkable about Oliver Smith is that he entered Digital Eden, a competition for adults as part of the 2006 Inverness Film Festival, and was one of six winners. His winning entry, a 6-minute animated short film based on the 1970’s hit MASH!, was described as ‘clever, inventive and humorous’. It was a great success with the public.

The prize was to produce a film based on this idea, with mentoring from a film professional. Oliver demonstrated creativity, determination and maturity way beyond his years to those who worked with him on this further project. In 2007 his film was short-listed out of over 120 entries for the National Young Filmmakers Award.

Oliver began his interest in animation by producing animated sections on his primary school’s website. In 2005 when still in Primary 7 Oliver, along with a friend of his own age and using a camcorder and basic movie making software, won an ‘Albert’ prize (Arts in Motion) for their live action short film ‘The Pillow Killers’.

At his young age, it is impossible to say what Oliver will do professionally. But at the moment, he is keen to pursue a career in film-making.

All we can say is, his creativity and interest in film-making are rare in someone so young. He may well be an important Scottish film-maker of the future.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award enabled Oliver to buy a computer and software to help with develop his next film-making project.

Since the Award

November 2007 – Oliver’s short animation film ‘Go Practise’ was nominated for a BAFTA.

April 2008 – Oliver received the ‘Up and Coming Youngster Award’ at the Moray Firth Radio Awards.

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I am delighted that I will be able to continue my animation career, and I will try to live up to your expectations.

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2007 Awardee: Raim Koo

I am very grateful and delighted to receive this … it means so much towards Raim’s future. (Songsue Williams, mother)

YEAR OF AWARD: 2007
AGE AT AWARD: 14
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Korean-born Raim Koo moved to Scotland when he was 4 years old. He started having cello lessons whilst still at primary school and won a place at St Mary’s Music School in Edinburgh in 2000.

Raim impressed his current cello teacher as being one of the few truly gifted young musicians she has taught. He combines a great natural facility, a love of music and an instinctive feeling for style, which is unusual in someone so young.

Between 2003 and 2006 Raim was a member of the National Children’s Orchestra of Scotland and in 2004 travelled to China with the String Ensemble of NCOS to represent Scotland at the Tianjiu International Children’s Culture and Arts Festival.

He continued to be a member of the String Ensemble in 2005 and 2006 and in the same years successfully auditioned for the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland. In 2007 he represents St Mary’s Music School in masterclasses at the triennial International Cello Festival in Manchester.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award will help Raim purchase a performance standard cello equal to his outstanding talent as a player.

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I am very grateful and delighted to receive this … it means so much towards Raim’s future. (Songsue Williams, mother)

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2007 Awardee: Robert Torrance

Thank you so much for offering me … an extremely generous music grant award. I accept with great appreciation.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2007
AGE AT AWARD: 19
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

From the lovely Fife town of St. Andrews, Robert’s greatest ambition is to lead a successful career as a professional solo violinist. Those who have heard Robert have no difficulty in believing that he will achieve his ambition.

At the tender age of 10, Robert won the gold medal of the under-18 final of the Indiana State Violin Competition. At 14, he won the Open String Solo competition, Festival Medal and Stringer Prize at the Edinburgh Musical Competition Festival. Two years’ later he was one of 13 competitors selected for the Yfrah Neaman International Violin Competition in Germany and in 2005 he won an Arts Trust of Scotland award to study with Professor Oistrakh in Brussels.

Robert’s tally of solo performances with orchestra is equally impressive. While he was still at school he performed the Saint-Saens’ Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso with the University of St Andrews’ Symphony Orchestra. The conductor for this performance describes him as a young man of personal and musical maturity, who was focused and a pleasure to work with.

In 2007 he performed Sarasate’s Carmen Fantasy and Dvorak’s Romance with the Dundee Symphony Orchestra, receiving rave reviews. In the light of the success of this performance, he was invited back to perform Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto with the orchestra. He was a member of the National Youth Orchestra for three years.

Currently studying psychology at York University, Robert also finds the time to pursue other interests which include skiing, Munro climbing and fly fishing.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award will provide Robert with a new violin bow and financial assistance to study with the esteemed violin teacher Leland Chen.

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Thank you so much for offering me … an extremely generous music grant award. I accept with great appreciation.

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2007 Awardee: Ronald Nairn

This money will make it possible for me to concentrate on developing my voice and my stagecraft in this course, and hopefully put me in a position to recognise my dream of becoming an opera singer.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2007
AGE AT AWARD: 25
ARTFORMS: , ,
 
 
 

Biography

Ronald Nairne is a bass baritone with a large talent. Kirkcaldy-born Ronald was accepted into the National Youth Choir of Scotland when he was 16 and was immediately cast as a soloist. With the choir he toured Sweden and performed in Chicago.

Ronald was a choral scholar at Paisley Abbey. He studied for his first degree and a postgraduate diploma in concert singing at the RSAMD, where he won the Frank Spedding Lieder Prize. He took part in several RSAMD opera productions. Ronald went on to postgraduate study in opera at the Royal Academy of Music and worked for a year with smaller operatic companies and performing a wide range of concert repertoire. While at the Academy he undertook the role of Sarastro in ‘The Magic Flute’ and created the role of the Mongolian Soldier in the London premiere of ‘A Night at the Chinese Opera’, by Scottish composer Judith Weir.

In 2005 Ronald was a Royal Philharmonic Society Young Artist and Sue Chilcott Scholar. In 2007 he was awarded a Samling Foundation scholarship to spend a week in masterclasses with Philip Langridge, Patricia McMahon and Paul Farrington. In June that year he sang the role of The Commendatore in Samling Opera’s production of ‘Don Giovanni’ directed by Sir Thomas Allen.

Ronald has been accepted into the prestigious National Opera Studio in Wandsworth, in preparation for a full-time career in opera. He possesses a real bass baritone, which is a rare commodity, and is considered to have a successful career in opera ahead of him.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award will support Ronald during his year at the National Opera Studio.

Since the Award

Ronald had a good year at the NOS, improving both as a singer and a performer. As a result of his performance in the end of year Showcase, Ronald was offered a young artist contract by the Grange Park Opera performing Sparafucile in Rigoletto.

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This money will make it possible for me to concentrate on developing my voice and my stagecraft in this course, and hopefully put me in a position to recognise my dream of becoming an opera singer.

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2007 Awardee: Ruth Davidson

Receiving this award means a lot to me and without it I would not be able to afford my own instrument of such a standard … I am very excited about my new violin!

YEAR OF AWARD: 2007
AGE AT AWARD: 18
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

From Leuchars in Fife, Ruth started to play the violin at the age of seven. She gained entrance to the RSAMD Youthworks when she was 15 years old. She has been a member of NYOS, the NYOS String Ensemble as well as leader of the Fife Youth Orchestra and the Kingdom Fiddlers.

Throughout her playing career, Ruth has won a number of awards and scholarships including the Wolfson Scholarship at the RSAMD Junior Department (2005), the Professor Newnham Scholarship for Best Performer (2005 & 2006) and first place in the Bell Baxter Centenary Music Competition (2006).

Ruth is currently studying music at the Royal Northern College of Music where she recently gained a first in her final year recital. Ruth’s further musical development is being hampered by the lack of a good instrument.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award will enable her to buy a professional standard violin.

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Receiving this award means a lot to me and without it I would not be able to afford my own instrument of such a standard … I am very excited about my new violin!

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2007 Awardee: Ryan Young

Thank you very much for your generous award … this will make such a difference to my musical career.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2007
AGE AT AWARD: 16
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Hailing from Cardross, Ryan started playing the fiddle at the age of nine and from that moment decided that he wanted to be a professional musician. Ryan has been attending the RSAMD (Youthworks) programme, for which he was awarded a scholarship.

Ryan has twice won the Lomond Folk Festival Young Traditional Musician title. In 2006 he was a finalist in the BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Musician competition and in early 2007 was winner of the Danny Kyle Open Stage competition at Celtic Connections. While still 16 years old, Ryan successfully auditioned for the RSAMD degree course in traditional Scottish music. The place is being held open for him until he is 17.

Ryan plays with a musicality, sensitivity and maturity that belie his young age. He is also very inventive and imaginative in his tune arrangements, and regularly comes up with new and exciting ideas. Ryan is also a fine composer, again producing tunes that are musical, unusual and youthful. His fellow students are always keen to learn his compositions, which is a sure sign that they are good.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award will help him buy a good-quality professional fiddle.

Since the Award

Ryan writes that he spent a long time searching for the right fiddle, and eventually found what he considers to be his ‘dream instrument’ and which he hopes will last him throughout his playing career. He says that “it has a beautiful tone which I am learning to control…it has an enormous dynamic range with a large variety of different sounds and is everything I could possibly hope for in a fiddle .. it has helped me to begin to develop what my fiddle teacher considers to be a unique style of playing..and I feel that I am no longer restricted in achieving my ambitions.” Ryan is now studying both Scottish Traditional Music and classical violin at RSAMD.

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Thank you very much for your generous award … this will make such a difference to my musical career.

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2007 Awardee: Sadah Webster

Thank you for your generosity.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2007
AGE AT AWARD: 25
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Born in Brisbane of British parents, Sadah came back to Glasgow to pursue a Masters in oboe performance at the RSAMD.

Sadah is considered to be a very talented musician and oboist. He is constantly in demand as a freelance oboist with professional orchestras in Scotland and has worked as a musician for some of the major London musicals. He has worked with the RSNO, the Scottish Concert Orchestra, the Hebrides Ensemble, Scottish Opera and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, as well as with orchestras as far afield as Australia, Hungary and Portugal.

Sadah is part of the wind quintet Amici Winds and is getting together a new chamber music ensemble based in Glasgow which will focus on playing new music and to finding a new audience in younger generations.

Sadah is an exciting and talented oboist in increasing demand as both a soloist and orchestral player. Although able to play the cor anglais (tenor oboe), Sadah did not own his own instrument.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award will enable Sadah to buy a professional cor anglais.

Since the Award

Since receiving a new cor anglais, Sadah has worked with a number of top European orchestras, including the BBC Philharmonic at the London Proms. He is currently auditioning for the London Symphony Orchestra.

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Thank you for your generosity.

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2007 Awardee: Samuel Rutherford

On behalf of Samuel thank you very much for the generous award to purchase the accordion which is an invaluable support and will progress his studies exponentially! (Samuel's mother)

YEAR OF AWARD: 2007
AGE AT AWARD: 12
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Born in Inverness, Samuel was brought up on the beautiful Isle of Coll. He was inspired to take up the accordion after hearing the ceilidh band Skerryvore from the Isle of Tiree performing on Coll. He asked if he could have a go at playing their accordion and was hooked. His grandmother bought him his first accordion.

Samuel is currently a pupil at Aberdeen City Music School where he is studying the accordion. At the audition, he impressed with his talent and, since joining the school, has continued to made excellent progress due to dedication added to raw talent. Quickly it became apparent that the accordion Samuel owned when he arrived at the school was inadequate and actively holding back his musical progress.

Samuel writes that “thanks to the Dewar Arts Award I am now able to buy a higher quality instrument to enable me to play at an advanced level. The new instrument will enhance the range of music I can play.”

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award will enable Samuel to buy a Bulgari Champion Cassoto accordion.

Since the Award

Samuel has made great progress since buying a new accordion. At the 2009 NAAFC he won second place in the under 16 traditional solo and second place at the 2008 All Scotland Accordion and Fiddle Championships in Perth. He also regularly teaches younger children the basic skills of playing the accordion.

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On behalf of Samuel thank you very much for the generous award to purchase the accordion which is an invaluable support and will progress his studies exponentially! (Samuel's mother)

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2007 Awardee: Steven Blake

I am extremely excited at the thought of immersing myself in this whole other dimension of piping, expanding my musical experiences and knowledge and really cannot describe my gratitude for your help.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2007
AGE AT AWARD: 17
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Edinburgh-born Steven has been a music scholar at Stewart Melville’s College for seven years, the first piper to receive such a scholarship. He started learning the Highland bagpipes at a young age, winning many solo competitions, including the Stirlingshire Mod and the Lothian and Borders solo contest, culminating in becoming the Scottish Schools’ Piobaireachd Champion three years’ running. He was the Pipe Major of the School’s band for several years.

More recently Steven learned the Scottish Smallpipes and formed a band within the school to play contemporary traditional music, and then later started to learn the low whistle. When he reached the semi-final stage of the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year Steven decided to progress to the Uillean pipes, which draws together his piping and whistle playing skills. The following year he reached the final stage of the prestigious competition. Steven also plays the piano.

Steven is considered to be one of the most talented young pipers in Scotland. He is equally at home with traditional piping, contemporary folk music and composition and possesses a unique style of playing which sets him apart from his peers. He intends to make music his career and has recently been accepted onto Glasgow’s RSAMD degree course in Scottish Piping.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award enabled Steven to buy a set of Uilleann pipes.

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I am extremely excited at the thought of immersing myself in this whole other dimension of piping, expanding my musical experiences and knowledge and really cannot describe my gratitude for your help.

Back