2016 Awardee: Adam Murdoch

"To be selected was incredibly humbling, and not only validated what I had already achieved, but drove me to apply 110% of myself to my writing."

YEAR OF AWARD: 2016
AGE AT AWARD: 23
ARTFORMS: , ,
 
 
TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/iWriteAdam

Biography

Adam’s passion for writing started from a very young age, when he would scribble random symbols and letters on scrap pieces of paper and then present his parents with his ‘stories’, insisting that they read them back to him. This love of storytelling quickly developed into a love of reading, as he devoured books and excelled at English in school.

Adam was accepted onto a course in English Literature at the University of Glasgow, but found this didn’t quite satiate his desire to tell stories as well as read them. He began instead to invest increasing amounts of time in one of his option courses, Film and Television. He switched to study this full time, and graduated with an MA (Hons) in Film and TV in 2015.

After graduation, Adam was determined to tell his stories through the screen. He applied and was fortunate enough to be accepted onto an intense, one year Screenwriting Conservatory program at the illustrious New York Film Academy, at the Manhattan Campus. There he wrote several pieces for both big and small screens, and also managed to sell a screenplay for production in Bermuda.

This was an excellent opportunity to learn and network at the hearts of the industry, but Adam has never lost sight of his Scottish roots. His ambition is to draw inspiration from his upbringing, and create stories weaved around his home country.

How the Award Helped

Despite working two jobs and hosting several fundraising events in the year between leaving University and starting at the Film Academy, Adam was unable to fully cover the cost of studying New York. Adam’s Award helped him to make up the shortfall, allowing him to fully focus on developing his skills on the course, and enabling him to make the most of this rare opportunity.

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"To be selected was incredibly humbling, and not only validated what I had already achieved, but drove me to apply 110% of myself to my writing."

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2016 Awardee: Liam Wedge

“I cannot put it in to words how thankful and privileged I feel to have the support of the Dewar Awards and opportunity to progress. I would not have been able to attend the NFTS without it.”

YEAR OF AWARD: 2016
AGE AT AWARD: 24
ARTFORMS: , ,
WEBSITE:https://liamwedge.artstation.com/
 
 

Biography

Born in Dumfries in the South West of Scotland, Liam developed a passion for film and digital effects from an early age. He went on to study an undergraduate degree in Digital Media at Edinburgh Napier and graduated with honours.

Two years after graduating, Liam had developed a strong portfolio of work and successfully gained an unconditional offer to study a masters degree at the prestigious National Film & Television School in Beaconsfield.  This course is regarded as one of the best in the world and offered Liam an excellent opportunity to develop his talents and further his skills among like-minded artists.

How the Award Helped

Liam’s Dewar Arts Award enabled him to pursue his dream and study Digital Effects at the highly competitive National Film & Television school in Beaconsfield.

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“I cannot put it in to words how thankful and privileged I feel to have the support of the Dewar Awards and opportunity to progress. I would not have been able to attend the NFTS without it.”

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2017 Awardee: Adam Lee

"By attending the NYOS Symphony Orchestra course, I will gain invaluable skills...helping me in my journey towards a career playing in orchestras as a professional musician."

YEAR OF AWARD: 2017
AGE AT AWARD: 17
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/adamlee9916

Biography

Adam started learning the clarinet at primary school with Rachel Considine.  He joined the high achieving North Ayrshire Schools’ Senior Concert Band where he met Matthew Chinn and with much encouragement and support from both him and his clarinet teacher, he successfully auditioned for the Junior Conservatoire at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, where he studied for two years with Alison Waller.

During his time at the Junior Conservatoire, Adam won the 2016/17 Gilbert Innes Woodwind Prize and was one of three people selected as a concerto soloist to perform with the Junior Conservatoire Symphony Orchestra.  He has also enjoyed successes at many local, regional and national events, including the Ayrshire Music Festival where he was the first person to win the Elizabeth McNair Trophy for Best Overall Instrumental Performance three years in a row.

Adam was a member of the West of Scotland Schools’ Symphony Orchestra in 2017 and was selected as their concerto soloist, performing Malcolm Arnold’s Clarinet Concerto No. 2.  He was also a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland Symphony Orchestra the same year, performing in top performance venues across Scotland, including the Usher Hall, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall and Perth Concert Hall.

In 2017, Adam successfully auditioned for a place on the BMus course at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, where he studies with John Cushing.  He was also awarded a Robertson Trust Scholarship to support his studies.  In February 2018, Adam won a Yamaha Music Foundation of Europe Clarinet Scholarship, being one of seven people selected from Conservatoires across the U.K. to perform in the live final at the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester.

How the Award Helped

Adam’s award allowed him to purchase a new A clarinet and attend the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland Symphony Orchestra, helping him pursue his ambition of performing both as a soloist and in professional orchestras.

Juniors Concerto – Adam performing with the Junior Conservatoire Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Jean-Claude Picard.

West Orchestra Concerto – Adam performing with the West of Scotland Schools’ Symphony Orchestra, conducted by James Lowe.

Yamaha Scholarship – Pictured with Heather Nicoll, Head of Woodwind at Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, after winning a Yamaha Music Foundation of Europe Clarinet Scholarship.

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"By attending the NYOS Symphony Orchestra course, I will gain invaluable skills...helping me in my journey towards a career playing in orchestras as a professional musician."

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2016 Awardee: David Tinto

It is a great privilege to receive the support and validation of a Dewar Arts Award. The award is allowing me to follow my long held ambition in attending the National Film and Television School.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2016
AGE AT AWARD: 29
ARTFORMS: , ,
 
 
 

Biography

Born in Uddingston, Glasgow, David Tinto began studying his craft at the Glasgow School of Art’s Mackintosh School of Architecture. Proving himself to be a talented student, David went on to complete his Masters of Architecture at the University of Edinburgh.

After graduating, David worked with a number of architectural and design practices across Scotland and also in the USA. His work and areas of interest extend into fine art and film, with work exhibited across Scotland, including at The Glasgow Art Club, The CCA and The Royal Scottish Academy.

In 2014, David was the recipient of the RSA Medal for Architecture.

David’s passion for film has been a common theme through much of his studies and work and has led to his ambition to specialise in the field of Production Design for film.

How the Award Helped

In 2015, David gained a place on the highly competitive MA in Production Design for Film course at the renowned National Film and Television School in Beaconsfield. When he took up his place the following year, the Dewar Arts Awards assisted David through his studies, enabling him to specialise in his chosen field.

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It is a great privilege to receive the support and validation of a Dewar Arts Award. The award is allowing me to follow my long held ambition in attending the National Film and Television School.

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2016 Awardee: Findlay Spence

"The support I have received from the Dewar Arts Awards has allowed me to take the next steps on my path to becoming the best musician that I can be. It has made it possible for me to continue this amazing journey. Thank you!"

YEAR OF AWARD: 2016
AGE AT AWARD: 18
ARTFORMS: ,
 
EMAIL:findlayspence@cooptel.net
TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/FindlaySpence

Biography

Findlay began to learn the ’cello at the age of eight, first with Isobel Grant in his hometown of Fortrose on the Black Isle, before starting lessons with Ruth Beauchamp in Edinburgh. In 2013, Findlay gained a place at St. Mary’s Music School and, in 2016, he began his studies with Melissa Phelps at the Royal College of Music in London.

As well as performing with youth orchestras and ensembles around the country (he was principal cello of the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland, performing at the BBC Proms), Findlay has also had involvement with varied community music projects and has enjoyed working with Sistema Scotland, Fèis Rois, and Cromarty Youth Opera amongst others.

Findlay is a keen composer, having studied with Tom David Wilson and Simon Holt. In 2016, he attained places at five conservatoires in Britain and secured the position of Music Scholar and Composer in Residence at St. Paul’s Church, Knightsbridge.

Findlay writes:

“For as long as I can remember, listening to and making music has been centrally important for me. It is hard to imagine a life without this and I am certain that it would seem a very poor substitute. Knowing for myself (and observing in others) the power of music to influence and inspire, it is my life’s ambition and purpose to bring that to other people. As a musician, my personal goal is to become the best and most accomplished that I can. As a cellist, and as a composer, I aspire to make music of the very highest standard.”

How the Award Helped

Findlay’s Award supported his musical studies on the four year BMus (Hons) at the Royal College of Music in London, where he was offered a scholarship place to study with Melissa Phelps.

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"The support I have received from the Dewar Arts Awards has allowed me to take the next steps on my path to becoming the best musician that I can be. It has made it possible for me to continue this amazing journey. Thank you!"

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2016 Awardee: Carol Brown

"I am extremely grateful for the support from The Dewar Arts Awards. This award has made it possible for me to take the next step in the industry, and allowed me to study at the current No.1 film school in the United States."

YEAR OF AWARD: 2016
AGE AT AWARD: 23
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Brought up on a farm on the outskirts of Peebles in the Scottish Borders, Carol had always had an interest in film and visual storytelling. Intent on pursuing her interests professionally, she gained a place to study a BA in Digital Film and Television at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

Carol proved herself to be an outstanding student; patient, tenacious and an explemplary leader.  She graduated in 2013 as recipient of both the Perth Festival of the Arts Award and the Dorothy Innes Prize.

After graduation, Carol worked in Scotland as a production runner on feature films ‘Swung’ (Directed by Collin Kennedy) and ‘Sunset Song’ (Directed by Terence Davies), as well as continuing to produce short films. She then made the move to Manchester to begin her career as a Production Assistant on Britain’s longest running Soap opera ‘Coronation Street’.  Later, she transitioned over to the Casting and Contracts Department for ITV Studios.

In 2016 Carol was offered a place on the renowned Peter Stark Producing Program at the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts. This highly competitive MFA program accepts just 24 graduate students from around the world, and develops their skills for careers as Television Showrunners and Studio Executives. She was also the recipient of the 2016 BAFTA LA/ PIGOTT Scholarship.

Carol’s ambition is to develop as an independent producer, working globally between the UK and US.

“Her impressive qualifications and study at the USC Film School promises a very bright future.” – Mark Pigott KBE

How the Award Helped

Carol’s Award enabled her to accept her place for postgraduate study at the University of Southern California.

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"I am extremely grateful for the support from The Dewar Arts Awards. This award has made it possible for me to take the next step in the industry, and allowed me to study at the current No.1 film school in the United States."

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2016 Awardee: Petre Dobre

"To put it simply, this award has totally changed my life."

YEAR OF AWARD: 2016
AGE AT AWARD: 22
ARTFORMS: , ,
 
 
 

Biography

Petre was born, raised and schooled in Craiova, southern Romania. Whilst at school he developed a love for performance including physical theatre, comedic mime and dance.

Petre joined the school dance group, No Limits, and over a six year period entered multiple competitions and toured both nationally and internationally. The group appeared on numerous TV shows including Romania’s Got Talent, fuelling Petre’s desire to become a professional performer.

Petre lost his hearing as a young child.  Through contact with Glasgow’s Solar Bear Theatre company, he discovered the new course for deaf actors being launched at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in 2015. With no possibility of vocational performance training for the deaf in Romania, and finding an affinity to the city of Glasgow, . Petre became determined to gain a place on the ground-breaking BA Performance in BSL and English, and set about learning British Sign Language.

After a short audition process he was successfully accepted into the first cohort of the at the RCS, which opened his eyes to the wealth of disciplines and possibilities available in performance. As part of the programme, he was involved in the multi-media presentation ‘Dream On’ at Glasgow University celebrating Shakespeare 400, as well as acting in short films and several plays.

Petre’s dream for the future is to perform in theatre and film. He plans to be based in Scotland – his new home – and to combine his experience of dance and movement with new skills learned at the RCS. He aims to explore new visual theatrical forms of storytelling involving sign language and sign poetry, and to perform internationally.

How the Award Helped

This Award allowed Petre to continue his studies at the RCS, and to fully focus on his ambitions to become a performer. Without this support, he would have struggled to afford to stay in Glasgow and finish his degree.

Petre feels that, as a deaf actor, the opportunities that he has been able to access at the RCS have been exceptional, allowing him to develop skills and experience that he could not have achieved elsewhere. To put it simply, he says. this award has totally changed his life.

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"To put it simply, this award has totally changed my life."

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2016 Awardee: Isabel (Izzy) Stott

"Now that I have received funding to study, I really feel like my life will completely change for the better. I cannot thank you enough. This is not just money in the bank - this is a gateway to a whole new world of opportunity."

YEAR OF AWARD: 2016
AGE AT AWARD: 22
ARTFORMS: , ,
WEBSITE:https://izzystott.wordpress.com/
EMAIL:izzystott@googlemail.com
TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/IsabelStott

Biography

Izzy Stott is a gifted, ambitious and skilful theatre performer. Having trained in contemporary and physical theatre, Izzy was inpired to create performance that is challenging both physically and intellectually, as well as being innovative and honest.

Growing up in a Stirlingshire village, Izzy studied a Diploma in Physical Theatre Practice at Fife College.  She excelled in clown, mask, physical storytelling and devised theatre. From there, she was offered a chance to study on a prestigious, one of a kind physical theatre course at Ecole Philippe Gaulier in France.

Through her ongoing theatre practice, Izzy hopes to communicate ideas with audiences, start social discussions and make people think about the world that surrounds them. She sees art as a beautiful way to connect people and expose issues, acting as a mirror to society in all its beauty and hardships. She believes that it is essential for human understanding, fuelling her dedication to her artistic practice.

In the future. Izzy hopes to set up a theatre company or arts collective that deals with social issues, with the aim to make people’s lives better through performance and art.

How the Award Helped

Izzy’s Award enabled her to study in France under the tutelage of leading physical theatre practitioner Philippe Gaulier.

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"Now that I have received funding to study, I really feel like my life will completely change for the better. I cannot thank you enough. This is not just money in the bank - this is a gateway to a whole new world of opportunity."

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2016 Awardee: Ethan Skuodas

"I feel very privileged to receive this award. The opportunity this award has given me to push myself to become an even better musician I am extremely grateful for."

YEAR OF AWARD: 2016
AGE AT AWARD: 18
ARTFORMS: , ,
 
 
 

Biography

Ethan began playing percussion and the timpani at the age of 10, and through hard work and talent became a promising young musician with a will to succeed.

After studying at the Junior Royal Conservatoire of Scotland for two years and performing with the likes of The National Youth Orchestra of Scotland and the West of Scotland School’s Symphony Orchestra, Ethan chose to continue his studies at the Royal Academy of Music. His teachers include Simon Carrington for timpani and Andrew Barclay for percussion.

Ethan loves to perform, especially in an orchestral setting. He is also keen to encourage others into music and has tutored younger students, instilling his own passions with patience, talent and enthusiasm. On completion of his studies, Ethan is determined to become a principal timpanist on a worldwide stage.

How the Award Helped

Ethan’s Award supported him in his studies at the Royal Academy of Music, helping him fulfil his long-term ambition to become a professional timpanist.

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"I feel very privileged to receive this award. The opportunity this award has given me to push myself to become an even better musician I am extremely grateful for."

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2016 Awardee: Emily Martin

"Without the Dewar Arts Award I wouldn’t have been able to begin studying my MFA in Textiles this year, thus not having access to the necessary space and equipment to develop my skills and ideas. I will always be grateful for this support."

YEAR OF AWARD: 2016
AGE AT AWARD: 27
ARTFORMS: , ,
 
 
 

Biography

Emily Martin was born and raised in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria.  From there she moved to Edinburgh to commence her undergraduate studies at the Edinburgh College of Art.

Proving herself to be an exceptional student, Emily graduated in 2013 with a First Class Honours Degree in Textiles.  She received the John L Paterson Award for Best Graduating Degree Show, as well as the Worshipful Company of Dyers Prize.

After graduating, Emily stayed in Edinburgh.  She worked for Walker Slater, a local tweed clothing retailer, and for Artlink, an arts and disability organisation. This provided much inspiration and learning for her developing practice.

Emily is a screen-printer at heart, who considers the environmental impact of the process. In 2016 she was accepted onto a two-year MFA course at ECA, enabling her to fully explore the possibilities of natural dyes in textile printmaking.  Her aim is to develop these into sustainable contemporary clothing that will appeal to a wider audience, and also incorporating hand embroidery.  This is Emily’s hand craft of choice and she is passionate about keeping the skill alive and relevant today.

How the Award Helped

Emily received an Award to support her MFA studies at the Edinburgh College of Art.

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"Without the Dewar Arts Award I wouldn’t have been able to begin studying my MFA in Textiles this year, thus not having access to the necessary space and equipment to develop my skills and ideas. I will always be grateful for this support."

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