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: Samantha Blaney

I very much appreciate this opportunity and what it enables me to achieve.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2007
AGE AT AWARD: 22
ARTFORMS:
 
 
 

Biography

Wishaw-born Samantha Blaney began studying musical theatre at Motherwell College before going on to win a place on the RSAMD’s MA in Performance in Musical Theatre.

Samantha is considered to be a talented all-rounder, in drama, singing and dance, with a successful career in the theatre ahead of her. Her main reason for going back to college to pursue a Master of Musical Theatre was that she found herself in a point in her career where she felt she needed to expand her skills in order to sustain a long-term career in the theatre.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award will contribute towards the costs of the tuition fees at RSAMD.

Since the Award

Samantha writes that the most rewarding part of the year was forming a repertory company with her fellow students and performing in three of the four productions the company took to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. At the end of the year, after the showcases in Glasgow and London, Samantha was noticed by a clutch of industry representatives and was signed immediately by an agent. She was also approached by Channel 4 with a view to appearing in a short film.

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I very much appreciate this opportunity and what it enables me to achieve.

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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: Selina Law

I have already started research work, and am excited at the possibilities this award will give me. Thanks again.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2007
AGE AT AWARD: 22
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Originally from Northern Ireland, Selina moved to Scotland to study textile design. She gained a first-class honours degree specialising in woven textiles and continues to live and work in Dundee, where she is currently designer in residence at Duncan of Jordanstone College.

In 2005 Selina won the Society of Dyers and Colourists’ Colour in Textile award and in the following year was selected as one of six weave designers by the Texprint group as a ‘star designer of the future’. Other awards which Selina has won include the Veronica Bell Award for Colour in Textiles, which included in the prize the opportunity for her designs to be incorporated into textiles used for menswear, and the F&A Bradshaw Award for a research trip to Japan.

Selina has showcased her work at First View, Chelsea, Indigo and in Premier Vision in Paris. Her clients include Calvin Klein. Her textiles are considered to be ‘exquisite, beautifully designed and perfectly executed’.

Selina is currently working to create a new fashion accessory collection.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award will help to fund the creation of Selina’s accessory collection.

Since the Award

Selina writes that the knitted collection she produced is ‘a capsule collection based on the theme of perspective….the pieces I have produced are almost what one would call knitted jewellery, in both function and theme’. Selina went on to teach textiles to students of all abilities, some with special educational needs. Alongside her teaching she continues to design and develop new collections and research into sustainable fashion and textiles.

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I have already started research work, and am excited at the possibilities this award will give me. Thanks again.

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2007 Awardee: Shaun Kelly

I am most grateful to be awarded one of the awards from the Dewar Arts Awards.

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

Biography

Perth-born Shaun Kelly auditioned for the Dance School of Scotland in Knightswood when he was in primary seven. From the start he impressed as a young man of natural physical facility and exceptional talent and began to scoop up awards.

In his first year he won the John Marshall and the most improved dancer awards. In his second year he won the Joan Tucker award, and in his third year the most improved dancer award again. In his fourth year he won a choreography competition, the prize for which was a three-week exchange trip to Australia where he studied at the Victoria School of Arts in Melbourne.

Shaun has performed in Stirling Castle and the Tate Gallery for VisitScotland events and performed in the School’s annual shows at the Kings Theatre and the Theatre Royal. He achieved high marks in all his dance exams and says simply, “dance is my life”.

Shaun has now won a coveted place at the English National Ballet to study for the 3-year National Diploma in Dance. An ENB bursary and private sponsorship cover his tuition fees, but without additional financial help Shaun would not have been able to take up this wonderful opportunity.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award will go towards Shaun’s living expenses while studying in London.

Since the Award

After a very successful first year, Shaun writes, “My first year has been very exciting and eventful.” Shaun represented the English National Ballet School on several occasions in the year; at the Royal Variety Performance in Liverpool, at the Critics Circle Dance Awards at the Royal Opera House, and was one of two first-year students performing in the ENB’s 20th Anniversary Gala at the Britten Theatre. His funding has been extended for a second year.

Shaun continues to demonstrate excellent progress and his award was extended for a third year. He writes, “For the second consecutive year I have been awarded a scholarship for summer school, this year for the Yorkshire Ballet Seminars. This has been awarded for consistent hard work and commitment.”

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I am most grateful to be awarded one of the awards from the Dewar Arts Awards.

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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.

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2007 Awardee: Stewart Webster

I came across an instrument which … I fell in love with instantly and have decided to purchase… I have been playing it constantly since and my new teacher assures me that it is most definitely good enough to go into the profession with.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2007
AGE AT AWARD: 22
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Fife-born Stewart Webster comes from a very musical family and started to learn the piano and percussion at an early age. When he was 12 he included the violin in his repertoire. Like many aspiring young Scottish musicians, Stewart was accepted into the junior department of the RSAMD and progressed to the senior RSAMD where he is studying for a degree in music.

While still a student at RSAMD, Stewart auditioned for the RSNO’s professional access scheme. His ‘incredible lyrical and beautiful playing’ stood out from the other students for its maturity and individual style. His ability to communicate music to an audience has led many professional ensembles in Scotland to seek him out, and he plays regularly with the Alba String Quartet and the Scottish Ensemble. He also plays regularly with the Scottish Opera orchestra.

Stewart won the Eric Dodds Memorial Scholarship for the most outstanding violinist at the RSAMD.

While in his final year at RSAMD, Stewart won a place on the postgraduate diploma course at the Royal Academy of Music in London. Already considered to be a violinist of high calibre, Stewart will use this further year of study to help him reach his full potential.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award enables Stewart to purchase a violin of performance quality to last him into his professional life.

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I came across an instrument which … I fell in love with instantly and have decided to purchase… I have been playing it constantly since and my new teacher assures me that it is most definitely good enough to go into the profession with.

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