2007 Awardee: Kevin Young

I would just like to thank the trustees for their consideration and would like to tell you how much this award will help me through the rest of this year.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2007
AGE AT AWARD: 20
ARTFORMS:
WEBSITE:https://www.kevinjamesyoung.com
 
 

Biography

Paisley-born Kevin Young’s story is pure ‘Billy Elliott’. His first dance teacher well remembers him as one of a group of boys who would hang about outside her dance classes annoying the girls as they entered and left the classes. But it later emerged that his real interest was in what went on in the dance classes inside the building, and eventually the dance teacher invited him to come inside and have free dance lessons.

She writes “from the first moment … as he walked into the dance studio dressed in his football strip and baseball boots I always knew there was something special about him.” Kevin went on to devote himself to hard work to developing his dance technique. He happily stood at the barre alongside girls half his age, learning the basics.

Kevin is the perfect example of hard graft, passion and self-belief being as vital to ultimate success as natural ability. He is an exciting performer already and commands the stage whenever he performs. Moreover he is an inspiration to youngsters from his area who well remember what he was and can see what he now has the potential to become. Kevin has won an international group hip hop championship and the UK solo hip hop and street competitions.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts will help towards the costs for Kevin to study at the London Studio Centre.

After a successful first year, Kevin writes, “My year at London Studio Centre has been one of the best years of my life, I have felt such a progression in all aspects of my dancing, acting and singing.” His support has been extended for a subsequent year.  Kevin’s support was continued into his final year after a successful second year.

Since the Award

After successfully graduating with a degree in dance, Kevin was signed by a musical theatre agent and has auditioned for the UK tour of Footloose.  He has appeared as a dancer on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, The Royal Variety Show and later in 2010 will be performing in both Hong Kong and Beijing.  He has choreographed for the Kinisi Dance Company which is something he hopes to do more of in the long-term. For more information, see: http://www.kevinjamesyoung.com/_/Welcome.html

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I would just like to thank the trustees for their consideration and would like to tell you how much this award will help me through the rest of this year.

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2007 Awardee: Laura Helyer

I was thrilled to hear that I have been offered an award.

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

Biography

Suffolk-born Laura Helyer’s long-term ambition is to become a published writer of poetry and literary fiction. She recently completed an M.Litt in Creative Writing (poetry) with distinction from St Andrews and is now working towards a PhD.

Laura moved to Dumfries in Galloway in 2005. Whilst there, her poem sequence ‘Camera Obscura’ was the joint winner of the Kirkpatrick Dobie prize. Following this success, Laura was invited to participate in a poetry scheme which involved being mentored to produce a collection of poems for a public reading and being paired with an established poet to perform her poems. Laura read with the well-known poet Adrian Mitchell, who was greatly impressed with her work.

Other achievements include in 2006 being runner-up in the prestigious Cardiff International Poetry Competition with her poem ‘The Heron’ and in 2005 having her short story ‘Green Angel’ commended in The Eildon Tree magazine writing competition and subsequently published in their anthology. More recently in 2007, Laura won first place in the Kirkpatrick Dobie Poetry Prize and second place in the Muriel Carmichael Prize (for prose essay).

Laura is considered to have the potential to become an important voice in British poetry as her work becomes more widely published. Already she has shown to have unusual talent combined with intelligence and an ability to write with a language of precision and rare sensitivity.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award is providing financial support while Laura works on a series of poems and on a novel.

Since the Award

Laura writes, “[A] Dewar Award has enabled creative time, space and opportunities for which I have been extremely grateful.” Laura has sent her first collection of poetry, including a sequence of poems about the artists Joan Eardley, to a publisher. She lives in Dumfries & Galloway where she is an active member of the writing community.

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I was thrilled to hear that I have been offered an award.

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2007 Awardee: Lauren Stark

This means a great deal, not only to Lauren, but the whole family and the award is an enormous support to assist her to continue with her instruments. (Laurie Stark, mother)

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

Biography

Twelve-year-old Lauren, from Airdrie, won the Kathleen McCartney music award for the community in 2007. She and her brother Declan, also a Dewar Arts Awardee, come from a musical family, inspired by her father who plays five instruments. Lauren plays both clarinet and piano and is a member of the junior concert band, the choir and the clarinet ensemble at school.

Lauren first started to learn to play the clarinet when she was eight, although she could not stretch her fingers far enough to reach all the keys. She switched to learning to play the piano until her hands had grown. She was accepted into the RSAMD Junior Academy when she was nine years old.

Although still young, Lauren shows considerable potential as a musician and is a member of a number of trios and quartets in the RSAMD Youthworks programme.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award will help towards the fees for the Youthworks programme to enable Lauren to continue her musical studies.

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This means a great deal, not only to Lauren, but the whole family and the award is an enormous support to assist her to continue with her instruments. (Laurie Stark, mother)

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2007 Awardee: Louise McMonagle

This is absolutely fantastic news, and thank you so much..

YEAR OF AWARD: 2007
AGE AT AWARD: 23
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

When Glasgow-born Louise started learning the ‘cello as a child of six, she little imagined then that it would become her career. But, as she says, thanks to great teachers and a lot of hard work she has seen the diversity of life in the music profession. She has performed across four continents to audiences in all kinds of venues ranging from bars, clubs and living rooms (with pets roaming free) through to the world’s finest concert halls.

At the age of 11, Louise won a place at the Douglas Academy Music School, where she was the fastest advancing student her ‘cello teacher had taught. She went on to study at the Royal Academy of Music in London, graduating with a first-class honours and receiving the Dip RAM for outstanding final recital. In 2001, Louise won the Allie Cullen Memorial Award for best performance overall at the Glasgow Music Festival.

Louise was accepted onto the postgraduate course in performance at the music academy in Basel, Switzerland. Entry onto this course is highly competitive, and only three ‘cellists were accepted. She is considered a rare talent who has the ability to reach the top of her profession.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award will provide essential finance to help Louise pursue postgraduate studies in Basel.

Since the Award

Louise graduated with a Konzertdiplom with distinction. She writes that in addition to studying with cellist, Thomas Demenga, she was also able to “take baroque cello lessons with Petr Skalka, quartet lessons with renowned quartet players Rainer Schmitt and Walter Levin, improvisation lessons with Walter Fendrich and modern chamber music lessons with Marcus Weiss.” She formed the modern music cello trio “Trio Riot”, with whom she continues to perform, and reached the semi finals of the international cello competition, Gianni Bergamo Classic Music Award.

Louise now lives and works in London. She is a member of the contemporary music group, Ensemble Amorpha, and is recording an album with the jazz ensemble, Tangent.

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This is absolutely fantastic news, and thank you so much..

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2007 Awardee: Lynsey McRitchie

Thank you very much! I am delighted.

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

Biography

From Stornoway in the Western Isles, Lynsey has been involved in music making in her local community for years. She was a founder and key member of the local folk group Teine, which has performed throughout Scotland and Ireland. Recently they recorded an impressive debut CD, on which Lynsey sings, plays fiddle, piano and clàrsach and arranged some of the tracks.

Multi-talented Lynsey has won classes on keyboard, piano, clàrsach and fiddle at local and national Mod competitions. Teine have also won prizes at National Mod competitions. In 2005 she won the Western Isles Young Musician of the Year competition and in 2007 she was invited to play clàrsach for the First Minister in Ann Tanntair and in Orkney.

Lynsey is currently continuing her music studies at Glasgow’s RSAMD and her long-term ambition is to pursue a career in music performance, specialising in Scottish traditional music.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award enabled Lynsey to buy a clarsach.

Since the Award

Since receiving her new harp, Lynsey writes that her playing has gone from strength to strength.  “I feel very privileged to have received a Daughter of Dewar award and realise that it has helped, and will continue to help, my progress on the harp as long as I keep playing and for this I would like to thank you for giving me this opportunity.”

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Thank you very much! I am delighted.

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2007 Awardee: Mairead McManus

Thank you so much for my Dewar Arts Award, I am over the moon!

YEAR OF AWARD: 2007
AGE AT AWARD: 23
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Born and brought up in Scotland, Mairéad is a winner of many All-Britain and All-Ireland traditional music titles.

Mairéad began traditional music classes by learning the penny whistle. She soon moved onto the concert flute to become both a fine soloist as well as an integral part of ceili bands. She is now an accomplished musician, both in whistle and flute, winning gold at the All-Ireland championships.

Mairéad is considered to be one of the most outstanding players of Irish traditional music of her generation. In 2004 she was invited by Capercaillie’s Donald Shaw to perform in his Harvest musical which opened Celtic Connections that year.

Studying for a Masters at the prestigious University of Limerick will be the ideal preparation for Mairéad’s future as a professional musician.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award is helping to fund Mairéad to study Irish Traditional Music Performance at the University of Limerick.

Since the Award

Mairead gained an MA in Irish Traditional Music Performance from the University of Limerick.

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Thank you so much for my Dewar Arts Award, I am over the moon!

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2007 Awardee: Maria Kozlova

I cannot thank you enough for granting the award. It will provide a unique opportunity to continue my studies at an internationally acclaimed opera school, where I can further develop my vocal talents.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2007
AGE AT AWARD: 26
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Russian-born Maria Kozlova came to Glasgow after graduating in 2005 from the St Petersburg conservatoire in choral conducting with distinction. While still in St Petersburg, Maria auditioned for the RSAMD to enter the preliminary opera studies course. After two years, she won a coveted place on their Opera Course.

Maria has a strong lyric soprano voice of quality, substance and power. With a winning combination of talent, determination and potential, it is considered that she will develop a career of some distinction as a solo artist.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award will help fund Maria for the first year of the Opera Course.

Since the Award

In her first year, Maria sang the role of Titania in the RSAMD production of Eugene Onegin at Edinburgh’s Festival Theatre, winning excellent reviews. In the final production of the academic year, she was selected to cover leading role Blanche in Poulenc’s Dialogue of the Carmelites. Maria’s award has been confirmed for a second and final year.

Maria successfully graduated Master of Opera with distinction from RSAMD and won the Ye Cronies Opera Award. She is currently continuing to perfom in RSAMD productions and has been offered a coveted summer 2010 contract with the Glyndebourne Opera Company. Maria plans to participate in the major international singing contests – watch out for her name.

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I cannot thank you enough for granting the award. It will provide a unique opportunity to continue my studies at an internationally acclaimed opera school, where I can further develop my vocal talents.

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2007 Awardee: Marie O’Connor

I am writing to say a huge thank you…. I am thrilled! It will be an enormous help to me in my studies.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2007
AGE AT AWARD: 28
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

From Nitshill in Glasgow, Marie O’Connor graduated from Glasgow School of Art in 1999. After a few years working in the industry, Marie has made the decision to go back into full-time study and won a place on the highly competitive masters course in Mixed Media Textiles at the Royal College of Art in London.

Marie finds the prospect of studying at RCA very exciting, an environment which she says will inspire creativity, collaboration and critical debate between students from a wide range of backgrounds and training. Marie’s current folio is both interesting and exciting and full of experimentation, showing that she will take full advantage of the opportunities that studying at RCA present.

Marie’s work could take her in many directions, into fashion, design or visual arts. She is a name to remember.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award will help support Marie through her studies at RCA.

Since the Award

Marie writes that her two years at the Royal College of Art were “fun, stressful, inspirational, hectic, and ultimately really rewarding”. During her time there, she won first prize in a project for an international trend predictions company for her conceptual approach and textile samples. Collaborating with students of womenswear and accessories, she was runner-up in a design competition to produce a capsule collection for a well-known high-street fashion brand. The trio hope to continue their successful collaboration into their professional careers.

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I am writing to say a huge thank you…. I am thrilled! It will be an enormous help to me in my studies.

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2007 Awardee: Martin Murphy

I would like to emphasise and highlight the fact that this is a huge help to me and my studies at the RSAMD.

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

Biography

Lanarkshire’s own Martin Murphy started to learn to play the horn at school when he was ten years old and has since played on a borrowed instrument. Martin has a clear career path in music in mind and sees himself one day in ‘the principal chair in one of the best orchestras in the world’.

At an early age, Martin showed his natural musical talent and rapidly developed this talent at school to become one of the best students his music teacher had encountered in 17 years of teaching. He has played in many well-known ensembles in Scotland including the West of Scotland Schools Concert Band, Edinburgh Youth Orchestra and the Glasgow Chamber Orchestra, and also in orchestras throughout the UK, including Northern Symphonia. As well as playing a mean horn, Martin also plays the piano at competitive level. He has formed his own wind orchestra that regularly plays at Christmas charity and other concerts.

To his delight, Martin has been accepted by Glasgow’s RSAMD to study for a degree in music. His future ambition is to continue postgraduate study in London or abroad and work with the best orchestras in the world.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award has enabled Martin to buy a professional standard French horn.

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I would like to emphasise and highlight the fact that this is a huge help to me and my studies at the RSAMD.

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2006 Awardee: Martin O’Connor

I would like to thank you for this award which will allow me to dedicate quality time to the research and development of my writing.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2006
AGE AT AWARD: 28
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Martin started performing in school pantomimes and went on to study drama at college. After graduation he continued to work for a number of well-known Scottish theatres.
In 2005 he started writing, first for The Arches Theatre Company in Glasgow, and went on to write and produce two solo shows ‘Manifesto’ and ‘Zugzwang’, for The Arches Theatre Festivals which were both very well received by both audiences and critics. Martin is equally talented as a writer and as a performer and combines humour with intelligence to produce work of power and poignancy.

Glasgay! Festival spotted Martin performing at The Arches Festival and invited him to write and perform a show at their 2007 season. Martin says that this new piece would continue to explore modern male issues. He is interested in subjects that question what it is to be young, male and Scottish in today’s society.

He writes, “I am inspired by gender politics in today’s society and am aware of the press and media’s power to manipulate our viewpoints. I recognise there is a massive crisis affecting men, especially young men, and this informed my work.”

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award will help support Martin as he researches, writes and develops his show for the 2007 Glasgay! Festival.

Since the Award

Martin’s show ‘Reality’ was a critical success at the 2007 Festival. He was invited to restage his production at the Tron Theatre, also supported by a Dewar Arts Award.  The experience of writing, producing and performing ‘Reality’ gave Martin the confidence to develop his writing. Following its success, Martin has been commissioned to write a new piece for The Arches in 2009.

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I would like to thank you for this award which will allow me to dedicate quality time to the research and development of my writing.

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