2009 Awardee: Paul Kirby

Thank you for … the wonderful news of my Dewar Arts Award. I am delighted to accept [it] and wish to thank sincerely the trustees.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2009
AGE AT AWARD: 27
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Paul Kirby’s first degree was in maths at Cambridge. Born and brought up in Edinburgh, Paul’s passion is jazz piano and composition. For the past five years, he has been an integral part of the jazz scene in Edinburgh, Scotland and beyond, performing over 1500 gigs both in solo performance or with the Paul Kirby Trio, Camerata Ritmata and Ken Mathieson’s Classic Jazz Orchestra, amongst many others.

Paul is regarded as one of the two most outstanding young jazz pianists in Scotland. He is accomplished in a variety of musical genres and roles – he is considered to be both a wonderful soloist and a supportive and inspiring accompanist. Paul has released two trio records as a leader with German bassist, Martin Zenker, and Chicago drummer, Adam Sorenson.

Paul has studied privately with Jason Moran, George Colligan and Kenny Werner. He is currently studying for a Master of Jazz Piano Performance at the Mason Gross School of Music, Rutgers, New Jersey with distinguished pianist Stanley Cowell.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award will help Paul complete the second year of his master’s programme

Since the Award

During his second year of study, Paul lived in Brooklyn to be able to accept invitations to play in some of the iconic jazz venues in NYC. He writes that all his time was taken up by practising or being at school during the day and playing or watching music at night.

Paul successfully graduated with a Master of Music from Rutgers, where he performed an “outstanding recital”. He will stay in NYC until the end of 2010, playing at every opportunity, rubbing shoulders with some of his musical heroes and generally soaking up the intense atmosphere of the most exciting city in the world for a young jazz musician.

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Thank you for … the wonderful news of my Dewar Arts Award. I am delighted to accept [it] and wish to thank sincerely the trustees.

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2009 Awardee: Pauline Edie

I would like to say thank you, this grant will be a great help to what would have been an incredibly difficult year financially.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2009
AGE AT AWARD: 22
ARTFORMS: , ,
 
 
 

Biography

Edinburgh-born Pauline graduated with a first-class degree in jewellery and silversmithing from the Glasgow School of Art. Her degree show exhibition stood out due to her range of designs, skilful making and an exceptional overall display.

Since then Pauline won in 2009 the Hammerman Award and the Goldsmiths Company Precious Metal Bursary Award and a professional development award from the Scottish Arts Council. Her work has been exhibited at London Dazzle, New Designers at Islington Business Centre, Bovey Tracy, Devon and in January 2010 is on show at the National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh and at New Beginnings 2010 at the SDC gallery in London.

Pauline has been accepted by the prestigious Bishopsland Educational Trust which aims to give new graduates the opportunity to produce work and gain skills to enable them to become designer/makers. As part of the course, Pauline will exhibit in high-profile shows such as Collect, the international art fair at the V&A.  For more information, see: www.paulineedie.com.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award has been given to help Pauline pursue postgraduate study in jewellery and silversmithing.

Since the Award

Pauline writes “when I look back over my year at Bishopsland, I can see how far I’ve come.” In early 2010, Pauline was selected to be part of the month-long National Museum of Scotland exhibition ‘Meet Your Maker’, followed by the V&A touring exhibition ‘Silver from Bishopsland’.

Later, she was invited to take part in the prestigious applied arts fair ‘Collect’ at the Saatchi Gallery in London. Since leaving Bishopsland, Pauline and some fellow students have formed a collective of designers and will be showing at the Liverpool Design Festival and the British Craft Trade Fair.

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I would like to say thank you, this grant will be a great help to what would have been an incredibly difficult year financially.

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2009 Awardee: Rachel Fisher

Thank you for enabling me to fulfil my aims in life.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2009
AGE AT AWARD: 24
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

From Bathgate, Rachel Fisher studied music at Napier University, Edinburgh, specialising in guitar performance. She graduated in 2008 with a first-class honours degree, achieving the highest recital mark awarded by the University to date.   Rachel is a winner of the Edinburgh Festival Competition for Music. Her performance was rated as being both ‘sensitive and heartfelt’ and she was commended for her potential to be ‘an outstanding guitarist and musician.’

A keen composer, Rachel has produced some excellent work. Her winning entry into a national competition entitled ‘Whatever happened to music?’ was subsequently performed and recorded live by the Paragon Ensemble. Rachel herself has performed in a variety of venues ranging from quaint church halls to some of Edinburgh’s most prestigious venues, including St Giles Cathedral and Edinburgh Castle’s Grand Hall. She writes, “What captivates me about performance is the aspect of communication … I have a deep love for music and my aim is to be a performer of great status.”

Rachel was offered a place on the Masters programme of all five conservatoires she auditioned for. She will study for a Master of Music at the Birmingham Conservatoire with Mark Ashford and Mark Eden.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award will provide essential financial assistance during her postgraduate studies at Birmingham.

Since the Award

Rachel successfully completed a Master of Music in guitar performance, with Commendation. She is now a guitar mentor for the National Youth Guitar Ensemble and a peripatetic guitar tutor for Stewart Melville School in Edinburgh. Rachel writes, “Living as a performer / artist is not ony rewarding but it has reaffirmed that this is what I have always wanted to do. I thoroughly enjoy sharing my music with people.”

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Thank you for enabling me to fulfil my aims in life.

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2009 Awardee: Sean Reilly

I cannot put into words how grateful I am to have received this and I can only say thank you so much to the trustees for their belief in me. It means so much to me and this award will, without question, allow me to develop further as a dancer, as well as a performer.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2009
AGE AT AWARD: 19
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

When Sean Reilly, from Glasgow, was born, the doctors pronounced that he would never be able to walk because of clubbed feet. When he was four, he started to move to music, and Sean says that he has loved to dance ever since.

Sean entered Anniesland College at the age of 15 and is remembered as a quiet and shy person. His peers had not understood, or accepted, his love for dance and performance. During the next three years, in a very different and supportive environment, Sean was transformed into a dancer of promise who loves to perform. He subsequently won a place at the well-known Bird College in Kent to study musical theatre.

Sean’s real passion and talent is in jazz dance. When he returned to Anniesland College to perform in their GoDance Festival at Glasgow’s Theatre Royal he wowed the audience. He has just finished his first year at Bird College and was selected to perform in the College’s third year end of show contemporary piece, which is a huge accolade for a first-year student.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award will help towards Sean’s expenses in year two of his studies at Bird College.

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I cannot put into words how grateful I am to have received this and I can only say thank you so much to the trustees for their belief in me. It means so much to me and this award will, without question, allow me to develop further as a dancer, as well as a performer.

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2009 Awardee: Siobhan Kelly

I would be delighted and extremely grateful to accept this incredible award …[which] will …..allow me to continue my studies at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2009
AGE AT AWARD: 21
ARTFORMS:
 
 
 

Biography

Siobhan Kelly was born and raised in one of the tougher areas of Glasgow. She showed talent at a young age, participating in Youth Theatre and various summer school productions. She studied dance at Stow College in Glasgow, from where she won Gold for contemporary dance in the UK Skills Awards.

Siobhan went on to study for a first degree in performing arts at Hull, before gaining a place on the Master of Musical Theatre Performance at Glasgow’s RSAMD. She has always shown a natural talent in the field of musical theatre possessing exceptional dancing, singing and acting talents.

Siobhan has appeared in many stage productions, many in leading roles. One of her best leading roles to date was as Viv Nicholson in ‘Spend, Spend, Spend’ with a striking performance and interpretation of role.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award will help towards the costs of studying at RSAMD.

Since the Award

Siobhan successfully graduated with an MA in Musical Theatre. Following the RSAMD showcase at the end of her course, Siobhan was signed with a top TV and theatre agent based in London and Manchester. She has already secured a number of roles and is auditioning for others.

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I would be delighted and extremely grateful to accept this incredible award …[which] will …..allow me to continue my studies at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama.

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2009 Awardee: Terri O’Brien

I cannot begin to tell you how thankful I am [to receive the award]. I was on the verge of giving up my place before you graciously stepped in to help me!

YEAR OF AWARD: 2009
AGE AT AWARD: 22
ARTFORMS:
 
 
 

Biography

Glasgow-based Terri O’Brien, whose stage name is Terri O’Ryan, started pursuing her ambition to work in musical theatre at the Glasgow Academy of Musical Theatre. She went on to study at Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts for three years, where she was considered to be one of the four top students of her year.

At LIPA she impressed particularly with her acting talent. In her second year, she had a major role in the workshop production of “The Boys in the Photograph” (formerly known as “The Beautiful Game”) with Andrew Lloyd Webber and Ben Elton. Ben was particularly impressed with the truthfulness of her work.

Terri won a coveted place on the postgraduate diploma course in musical theatre at the Royal Academy of Music, for which the competition is extremely fierce. Here she can develop her skills in acting, singing and dancing in order to progress to the West End stage.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award will help towards the fees for the postgraduate course at RAM.

Since the Award

Terri graduated in 2010 with a postgraduate diploma in musical theatre. She was signed up with a top London agent while still on the course. Terri writes of the course that as a result she feels a more established performer, “I know what I need to do in a practise room, but I also know exactly what I need to do in a situation that could end with me getting a job.”

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I cannot begin to tell you how thankful I am [to receive the award]. I was on the verge of giving up my place before you graciously stepped in to help me!

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2009 Awardee: Toby Lord

I was over the moon this morning to receive your letter….I would be thrilled to accept your generous offer.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2009
AGE AT AWARD: 23
ARTFORMS:
 
 
 

Biography

Toby Lord, from South Queensferry, was spotted as ‘one to keep tabs on’ when he attended a workshop on stage combat while still a first-year acting student.

Currently in the final year of a degree course in musical theatre at Guildford School of Acting, Toby has developed into a skilled and exciting performer, recently showing dexterity and playfulness in his portrayal of Petruchio in The Taming of the Shrew.

Toby’s particular passion is stage and screen combat in which he has already achieved impressive qualifications. His quick responses and awareness of his surroundings, as well as a great deal of hard work, have helped him to become an Advanced Actor Combatant. He will be in great demand for both TV and film work.

Toby has already been offered an apprenticeship with a fight director when he completes his degree.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award will help towards the expenses of his final year at Guildford.

Since the Award

Toby graduated with a good degree, was signed by an agent and landed the lead role in ‘Aladdin’ in the 2010 Christmas panto. During his final year at GSA, he worked with the Fight Director on a major new Disney blockbuster John Carter of Mars due for release in 2012, and through that work has been invited to work on the new Pirates of the Caribbean movie as part of the specialist fight crew.

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I was over the moon this morning to receive your letter….I would be thrilled to accept your generous offer.

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2008 Awardee: Bede Williams

I write in appreciation of the award that you recently made available to me for my Masters in Conducting at RSAMD…. Your support comes at what I feel is a critical time.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2008
AGE AT AWARD: 23
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

New Zealand-born Bede Williams came to Scotland in 2003 as an Associated Board International Scholar to study at the RSAMD. He came as a trumpeter and graduated with a first-class honours degree. While an undergraduate he won the prestigious Philip Jones Memorial Prize, competing against wind players much older than himself, and won the coveted RSAMD Governor’s recital prize.

Bede impressed from the start as a musician of prodigious talent and individuality. In addition to being an exceptional trumpeter, he demonstrated a flair for electro acoustic performance and composition and worked with numerous professional orchestras. He is a founding member of the Alba Brass Quartet.

Bede continued his studies at RSAMD in conducting, again demonstrating prodigious potential and talent as a conductor both on a technical and musical level. He has already conducted the Hebrides ensemble and the RSNO. His tutors confidently expect him to go on to a highly successful career combining his talents as a conductor, performer and composer.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award will enable Bede to join the Master of Conducting course at RSAMD.

Since the Award

After delaying entry for a year onto the masters course in order to participate in the RSAMD Emergent Leaders programme, Bede graduated the following year with a Master of Music (Distinction). In 2010-11 he is conductor of the Lomond and Clyde Community Orchestra, the Penland Singers and the Bo’ness and Carriden Brass Band. He teaches trumpet at St Mary’s Music School, Edinburgh and continues to play trumpet for the Alba Brass Quintet.

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I write in appreciation of the award that you recently made available to me for my Masters in Conducting at RSAMD…. Your support comes at what I feel is a critical time.

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2008 Awardee: Ben McNeill

I am writing to accept the Dewar Award which I have been awarded for courses at Beaconsfield - I am delighted to have been selected.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2008
AGE AT AWARD: 26
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Edinburgh-born Ben was forced to leave school at 18 due to family circumstances. Unable to complete his further education, however, has not thwarted Ben’s ambition nor dampened his enthusiasm.

In 2005 Ben applied for a course on film-making offered by the Prince’s Trust and since then has set his sights on making a career in film production. Immediately after the course, he went on to complete an HNC in Communication with Media and later set up his own business in Film Production & Photography, thanks to a starter grant from the Prince’s Trust.

Ben has continued his association with the Prince’s Trust, producing a number of documentary projects, and representing the Trust as a Young Ambassador. In 2008 he won the Princes Trust Stills for Enterprise and Community Impact Award.

One of Ben’s long-term project is to set up an Internet Television Studio in Scotland. To enhance his skills in order to achieve this ambition, Ben applied for and was offered a place on the residential programme Summerdocs at the prestigious NFTS, Beaconsfield.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award was given to help finance Ben’s study at the NFTS.

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I am writing to accept the Dewar Award which I have been awarded for courses at Beaconsfield - I am delighted to have been selected.

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2008 Awardee: Blair Mowat

Please extend my thanks to the trustees for this Dewar Arts Award. I am honoured to be a recipient.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2008
AGE AT AWARD: 21
ARTFORMS: ,
WEBSITE:https://www.blairmowat.co.uk
EMAIL:blair@blairmowat.co.uk
TWITTER: https://www.dewarawards.org/twitter.com/blairmowat

Biography

Edinburgh-born and bred Blair studied composition from an early age, first with Kenneth Dempster and later with Eddie McGuire. It has been an ambition of Blair’s to write music for film since a young age, when he took an intensive short course in film scoring with two times Emmy award winning composer, Hummie Mann.

He studied music at Durham University before going on to pursue an MA in Composition of Music for Film and TV at Bristol University. Blair studied conducting under RSNO Associate Conductor, James Lowe, and has conducted various ensembles over the years, including the Durham University Hill Orchestra.

Blair is the co-founder of the Durham Opera Ensemble and currently Composer In Residence with the experimental theatre company, Captain Theatre. June 2007 saw the world premiere of his opera Hamlet Versus Lear, which premiered at OpFest and he has recently finished a commission for Channel 4.  He has been commissioned to write the theatre score for Jay Parini’s new play Mary Postgate, which will be premiered at the 2008 Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award will help support Blair through his postgraduate studies at Bristol University.

Since the Award

Blair writes that his year at Bristol “was invaluable in allowing me to progress as a composer and taught me many specific skills in how best to synchronise my music to film.” Alongside studying composing for film, Blair conducted the student orchestra, Bristol Symphonia, set up the Bristol Film Orchestra and directed a short fiction film which was subsequently shown at a number of film festivals. Blair was awarded an MA with Distinction as well as receiving a number of other accolades, including winning the Exposures Film Festival National Composing Competition and receiving a 4Talent Nomination.

Since leaving Bristol Blair has gone on to compose for over a hundred projects for film, television and theatre. Included in those are Stephen Fry reading The Happy Prince for Sky Arts, the feature film Frequencies, episodes of BBC’s flagship science documentary Horizon, and a new ballet for The English National Ballet. As a musical arranger he has found himself working on high profile projects such Doctor Who and David’ Attenborough’s Life Story. In 2012 he was nominated for a BAFTA New Talent Award and also a Creative Scotland Award for ‘ Best New Talent in the Scottish Arts’.

For Blair’s portfolio of compositions and other work, see www.blairmowat.co.uk.

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Bradley Manning Had Secrets from Animate Projects with score from Blair Mowat

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Please extend my thanks to the trustees for this Dewar Arts Award. I am honoured to be a recipient.

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