2018 Awardee: Emma Simpson

“I am extremely grateful for the generous support of the Dewar Arts Awards - thank you!”

YEAR OF AWARD: 2018
AGE AT AWARD: 18
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Originally from Ellon, Aberdeenshire, Emma became interested in music at an early age, and began learning the bassoon in school. Keen to take it further, she moved to Glasgow to study at the Music School of Douglas Academy for her final years of school.

Here she found many opportunities and was able to meet and play with lots of other likeminded young musicians. She had the opportunity to play with the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain for two years and with the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland as Principal bassoon.

Emma gained a scholarship to study on the undergraduate performance programme at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Here she identified the need to purchase her own bassoon, in order to develop as a musician and play professionally.

How the Award Helped

Emma’s award enabled her to purchase a basson, allowing her to develop fully as a musician.

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“I am extremely grateful for the generous support of the Dewar Arts Awards - thank you!”

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2018 Awardee: Grace Wain

"I am so very thankful for my Dewar Award. It would have been impossible for me to participate in the masterclasses without financial help and I'm incredibly grateful for the generous support that I have received."

YEAR OF AWARD: 2018
AGE AT AWARD: 27
ARTFORMS: , ,
WEBSITE:https://www.gracewain.com/
EMAIL:info@gracewain.com
 

Biography

Grace is originally from Lincolnshire and went on to study at The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama with Suzanne Murphy.  She graduated in 2014 with an MA in Opera Performance and a 1st Class BMus (Hons).  During her time at RWCMD she has appeared in concerts with the College Chorus and Symphony Orchestra as well as lunchtime recitals as a chorus member and as a soloist.  After moving to Scotland in 2014, Grace studied with Patricia MacMahon.

Grace’s operatic work includes; Zweite Dame/Zweite Knabe in Die Zauberflöte (Escales Lyriques), Dryade (Cover) in Ariadne auf Naxos (Scottish Opera),La Ciesca in Gianni Schicchi (Les Azuriales), 2nd Bridesmaid (Cover)/Chorus in Le Nozze di Figaro and Chorus in Eugene Onegin, Aleko/Francesca da Rimini, La Traviata, Iolanta, La bohème, Le Villi, L’amico Fritz, Pelléas et Mélisande, The Mikado, Rusalka, Carmen and Madama Butterfly (all Scottish Opera). Chorus in HMS Pinafore, Princess Ida, The Mikado and The Pirates of Penzance (all The National Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company), Jennifer/The Creator in My Perfect World (Welsh National Opera Outreach Workshop), 2nd Lady in The Magic Flute (RWCMD), Stewardess (Cover) in Flight (RWCMD), Bianca and Auntie in Britten’s Women (RWCMD at The Bath International Music Festival), Bianca in The Rape of Lucretia (RWCMD), Chorus in The Bartered Bride and Chorus in Le Nozze di Figaro (both British Youth Opera).

In scenes, she has also sung: Componist in Ariadne auf Naxos (with orchestra), Rosina in Il barbiere di Siviglia, Dorabella in Così fan tutte, Carmen, Idamante in Idomeneo, Cendrillon (with orchestra), Meg in Falstaff, Charlotte in Werther (with orchestra) (all RWCMD), and Hansel (Opera’r Ddraig).

Grace’s oratorio performances include: Handel Messiah, Haydn Stabat Mater, Mozart Regina Coeli KV 267, Rutter Feel the Spirit, Mozart Requiem, Mozart Coronation Mass, Britten Ceremony of Carols, Vivaldi Gloria and Magnificat and Pergolesi Stabat Mater.

Grace was a finalist in Ljuba Welitsch International Vocal Compeition 2017, Les Azuriales competition 2016, semi-finalist in The Mozart Competition 2013, a finalist in The Thelma King Award 2013 and 2014, and she was chosen to compete in the prestigious Kathleen Ferrier Bursary Award in 2009. Additional engagements include: Prince Charmant in Cendrillon (Fife Opera) and Chorus in Edgar (Scottish Opera).

How the Award Helped

In 2018, Grace was chosen to participate in the residential Song Masterclass with Malcolm Martineau at Crear Space to Create. Her Dewar Arts Award enabled her to take up this opportunity.

Grace writes; “The masterclasses have truly been a turning point for me, as they gave me a safe environment to explore and discover different repertoire whilst finding new confidence in myself and in what I have to offer as an artist.”

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"I am so very thankful for my Dewar Award. It would have been impossible for me to participate in the masterclasses without financial help and I'm incredibly grateful for the generous support that I have received."

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2018 Awardee: Lewis Blackwood

"I’m so grateful to have been given back the opportunity to be taught by the best Scotland has to offer. My dream of being a professional percussionist can live on."

YEAR OF AWARD: 2018
AGE AT AWARD: 14
ARTFORMS: ,
WEBSITE:https://drumkitlessonsfalkirk.co.uk/Lewis-Blackwood-Percussion/
 
 

Biography

Lewis has been playing percussion since the age of 3, and by 14 had reached the standard associated with studying at degree level. He is also a talented trumpet player and pianist.

Having been given a drum kit at Christmas, Lewis began dedicating all his time to improving his skills, including busking in Glasgow with his brothers. The family ended up on Real Radio and STV.  Lewis’ passion for percussion continued when he auditioned for The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland at the age of 7.  At that stage he played drum kit, snare drum and a set of timpani drums (which he bought with the proceeds of his busking).  He was awarded a place in the pre-junior department and was taught there by Lachie Birch, who also introduced Lewis to the marimba.  This has become his favourite instrument.

Lewis is severely dyslexic, which he feels benefits his music due to the right side of his brain being especially strong. As well as gaining a place at RCS, Lewis was accepted into the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland every year since the age of 9, progressing from the junior to senior orchestras. He has performed in a jazz collective, RCS orchestra, NYOS orchestra, percussion ensemble and RCS choir along with perfoming in stage shows and with ceilidh bands.

Lewis has competed internationally in the Young International Tuned Percussion Competition at the Purcell School of Music.  In 2017 he was awarded the St Cecilia trophy at Larbert High School. He has ambitions to enter the BBC Young Musician of the Year, the Rotary Young Musician Competition and the Colin Curry Competition at RCS. He also hopes to attend a percussion summer school in Germany, run by a virtuoso percussionist.

In the future, Lewis intends to apply to RCS and further afield; to the Royal Academy of Music in London and Julliard in New York.  His plan is to be a solo percussionist like Evelyn Glennie, playing in an orchestra and teaching.

How the Award Helped

Lewis’ Award enabled him to continue his studies at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

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"I’m so grateful to have been given back the opportunity to be taught by the best Scotland has to offer. My dream of being a professional percussionist can live on."

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2018 Awardee: Rennie Sutherland

"I cannot thank Dewar Arts Awards enough for enabling me to begin my studies at the Royal College of Music. It is an opportunity few are fortunate to get and so I look forward to making the most of it. Thank you!"

YEAR OF AWARD: 2018
AGE AT AWARD: 18
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Scottish clarinettist Rennie Sutherland auditioned and joined the Music School of Douglas Academy in Glasgow in 2011. Throughout his time there and with the support from teachers Josef Pacewicz and Lawrence Gill, Rennie grew as a musician and developed a keen interest in seeking a career in Clarinet.

From 2016 to 2018 Rennie was a student at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland’s Junior Department and was taught by Alison Waller. Here he was also involved in orchestral projects with conductors such as Christopher Adey and Holly Mathieson. Both as a soloist and within various chamber music groups he won classes at the Glasgow Music Festival.

Rennie was a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain for 2018. As a result of this opportunity, he was fortunate to have worked with critically-acclaimed conductors including Sir Mark Elder and Sir George Benjamin and perform at venues including Birmingham Symphony Hall, Barbican and at the Royal Albert Hall for the BBC Proms.

Rennie gained a place to study at the Royal College of Music with Timothy Lines and Richard Hosford, as a Jamie Milford Award Holder.

How the Award Helped

Rennie’s Award supported him in his studies at the Royal College of Music.

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"I cannot thank Dewar Arts Awards enough for enabling me to begin my studies at the Royal College of Music. It is an opportunity few are fortunate to get and so I look forward to making the most of it. Thank you!"

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2018 Awardee: Stephanie Maitland

"I cannot thank the Dewar Arts Awards enough for their generous funding. Without their support, I would be unable to attend this wonderful institution and I am so grateful...for the chance to further my studies."

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

Biography

Stephanie has always had a passion for singing. She studied her undergraduate degree at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland on a scholarship where she achieved an Honours Degree of the First Class. During her time there, she participated in a masterclass with Meribeth Bunch Dayme, received coaching from Rachel Nicholls and partook in many poignant choral engagements. She sang the role of Hermia in Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream in the RCS Opera Scenes and was a member of the chorus of the Conservatoire’s production of Die Fledermaus in May of 2017.

Stephanie was part of the launch of the Piccalilli Opera Company; a new budding opera company based in the Yorkshire area. She has also worked closely with the Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society by putting on various concerts in the Charles Rennie Mackintosh church and the House for an Art Lover.

Over the summer of 2017, she joined Opera Bohemia on their sell-out tour around Scotland as a member of the chorus in their production of Bizet’s The Pearl Fishers. She also attended her second British Youth Opera summer workshop as well as attending the Oxenfoord International Summer School.

Having gained a scholarship to study at the Royal Northern College of Music, Stephanie sang the role of Mercedes in Bizet’s Carmen in 40minutes, participated in a weekend residency with Opera North working with Nicholas Kok and Tim Albery, and sang in a masterclass with Andrew Shore. She was also involved in the first recording of Cellier’s Dorothy with Richard Bonynge and Victorian Opera Northwest singing the role of Phyllis (released in Febuary 2019 by NAXOS).

Stephanie was also a finalist in the Frederick Cox Award and has sang in various charity concerts and opera galas throughout the year. She portrayed the Sandman in RNCM’s spring production of Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel, conducted by Anthony Kraus and directed by Stephen Medcalf. She was also involved in Clonter Opera’s Spring Opera Showcase singing a variety of repetoire and working with Michael McCaffery and Anthony Legge.

In summer 2018, Stephanie sang with Buxton International Festival, singing chorus in Mozart’s Idomeneo, conducted by Nicholas Kok and directed by Stephen Medcalf, and singing chorus and covering the role of Zuma in Verdi’s Alzira, conducted by Stephen Barlow and directed by Elijah Moshinsky. Additional engagements include singing the roles of La Principessa in Suor Angelica and Zita in Gianni Schicchi in RNCM’s Puccini double bill, directed by Robert Chevara and conducted by Marin Andre.

Stephanie is very grateful to be supported by The Sir James Caird’s Travelling Scholarship Trust and the Dewar Arts Awards.

How the Award Helped

Stephanie’s Award supported her in studying on the Masters in Vocal Performance course the Royal Northern College of Music.

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"I cannot thank the Dewar Arts Awards enough for their generous funding. Without their support, I would be unable to attend this wonderful institution and I am so grateful...for the chance to further my studies."

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2018 Awardee: Hugh Mackay

"The generous support of this organisation has provided much needed security while I pursue my studies"

YEAR OF AWARD: 2018
AGE AT AWARD: 18
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/hmackaycellist

Biography

Hugh Mackay is a Scottish cellist whose musical life comprises many different areas of performance including chamber music, orchestral playing and historically-informed performance. He has played in leadings festivals including The BBC Proms, Enescu Festival (Bucharest) and Festival Berlioz (France), and venues such as the Royal Albert Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall and The Palace of Versailles.

Hugh received his formative education at St. Mary’s Music School (Edinburgh), where he studied with Ruth Beauchamp, Philip Higham and William Conway. In 2017, he gained a place to study with Hannah Roberts and Jonathan Manson at the Royal Academy of Music in London, where he was awarded the Yadegar-Hall Scholarship.

In 2019, Hugh was selected for the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment’s Experience Scheme, working with the orchestra throughout 2019 including concerts at the Enescu Festival in Bucharest. He has worked with many leading conductors such as Trevor Pinnock, Thomas Adès, Edward Gardner, John Wilson, Masaako Suzuki, Nicholas Collon, and Ryan Wigglesworth, and enjoys a variety of freelance engagements, such as playing as an inaugural member of the London Contemporary Music Festival Orchestra on BBC Radio 3 in December 2018.

Hugh was the co-principal cellist of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, exposing him to the leading British venues as well as recording works by Strauss and Holst for Chandos Records. In 2017 he played at the Festival Berlioz in La Côte-Saint-André, France with the NYO, playing Stravinsky’s ‘The Rite of Spring’ under the direction of Gerry Cornelius.

Hugh has performed chamber works at Kinnordy Chamber Music Festival, Petworth Festival, Brighton Early Music Festival, Hatfield Festival and Virtuoso & Belcanto Festival (Lucca) and also the Hatworth Festival.

How the Award Helped

Hugh’s Award supported him in his studies at the Royal Academy of Music, London.

Since the Award

2019: 1st Prizewinner of the 2019 Isaacs Pirani Piano Trio Competition (RAM)  alongside colleagues Manuel De Almeida-Ferrer and Wouter Valvekens.

2020: 1st Prizewinner of the 2020 May Mukle Cello Sonata Prize (Royal Academy of Music) alongside duo partner, Junyan Chen

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"The generous support of this organisation has provided much needed security while I pursue my studies"

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2018 Awardee: Aileen Sweeney

"Being able to study a postgraduate degree will open up so many more career opportunities for me...I will always be incredibly grateful"

YEAR OF AWARD: 2018
AGE AT AWARD: 23
ARTFORMS: ,
WEBSITE:https://www.eriska.net/
 
 

Biography

Aileen is an accordionist and pianist of formidable talent and keen imagination. She has performed works by composers such as Dr. Gareth Williams and Dr. Emily Doolittle with some of the leading contemporary music ensembles in Scotland, including The Glasgow New Music Expedition, Ensemble Thing and NOISE Opera, whilst also working alongside the young composers in the RCS Junior Conservatoire.

In 2012 and 2013 Aileen won First Prize in the UK Accordion Senior Recital and Second Prize in the International Accordion Championship Open Solo. In 2016, she founded the folk-fusion band Eriska which she performs with regularly across Scotland, having just released their debut album.

Aileen studied a Bachelor of Music in Classical Accordion and Composition at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. In her first year, she was awarded the Tony and Tania Webster Prize for Rare Russian Music. In her third year, she was awarded the Dunbar-Gerber Prize for Chamber Music.

https://soundcloud.com/aileen-sweeney-2

In 2018, Aileen performed Piazzolla’s Concerto for Bandoneon with orchestra conducted by David Watkin as a finalist of The Edinburgh Festival Concerto Competition.  She also became the inaugural recipient of the Geddes-Peterson composition prize at RCS. As the winner, Aileen was asked to write an orchestral work in John Maxwell Geddes’ memory which was performed at his memorial concert.

Aileen graduated from the RCS with First Class Honours, and went on to study at postgraduate level. Her works have been performed by the likes of the Red Note ensemble, RCS Music Lab and the Psappha ensemble.

How the Award Helped

Aileen’s Dewar Arts Award supported her postgraduate studies at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

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"Being able to study a postgraduate degree will open up so many more career opportunities for me...I will always be incredibly grateful"

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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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