2005 Awardee: Ross Dickson

I worked with some of the best teachers at college and I was hugely influenced by many of them.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2005
AGE AT AWARD: 17
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Ross is Dumbarton’s own ‘Billy Elliott’. He started dancing at the age of eight and quickly showed talent.

Natural-born talent, combined with dedication and commitment to his craft, helped Ross become a Senior Associate of the Scottish Ballet and go on to win most of the major Scottish prizes in tap and modern dance. In 2005 he became Scottish Tap and Modern Champion.

Ross is now studying musical theatre at the Doreen Bird College in Sidcup, Kent. As his dance teacher writes, “being a boy in the West of Scotland who wants to dance brings many challenges.” Facing these challenges has given Ross the determination and single-mindedness he needs in order to make a successful career in musical theatre.

How the Award Helped

Ross received a Dewar Arts Award towards his studies at the Bird College in Kent.

Since the Award

After a difficult start at college, Ross put his head down and worked extra hard to improve. He was cast in two numbers in the end of year show, roles which are usually reserved for second and third year students, which, he said, gave his confidence a massive boost.

By the second year he joined the Bird Theatre Company on its tour to Portugal and in year three was cast in one of the lead roles of the third-year musical. Before Ross graduated he was offered a place on a cruise ship as a dancer.

When back in the UK, Ross joins in classes at Scottish Ballet and does the rounds of auditions. Ross is now living his dream.

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I worked with some of the best teachers at college and I was hugely influenced by many of them.

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2005 Awardee: Richard Craig

The award has re-affirmed the self-belief needed to exist as a member of the arts community. I now feel that I have 'arrived' in Europe and I hope to build on this in the future

YEAR OF AWARD: 2005
AGE AT AWARD: 25
ARTFORMS: ,
WEBSITE:https://www.richardcraig.net
 
 

Biography

From Clydebank, Richard is regarded as one of the most versatile and talented young flautists in the UK. Studying first at the RSAMD, he went on to win one of only three coveted places at the Conservatoire in Strasbourg.

His tutor at the Conservatoire writes that he is one of the most interesting musicians of his generation. His musical sensitivity and talents allow him to play both mainstream repertoire and the most demanding contemporary repertoire with an absolute mastery.

This high praise is borne out by the number of musical prizes that Richard has garnered in the last few years.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award helped fund Richard for two years through his studies at the Conservatoire in Strasbourg.

Since the Award

The Dewar Arts Award helped fund Richard for two years through his studies at the Conservatoire in Strasbourg.

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The award has re-affirmed the self-belief needed to exist as a member of the arts community. I now feel that I have 'arrived' in Europe and I hope to build on this in the future

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2005 Awardee: Paul Jennings

One of the highlights for me [of 2006] was being able to perform the New Voices [piece] I composed along with fellow percussionist Fraser Stone. The show went great with between 250 and 300 people at the show, we had a great response. We will be looking to record the piece and release it later this year

YEAR OF AWARD: 2005
AGE AT AWARD: 24
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

At age 11, Paul was inspired to learn to play music when he first went to the Folk Festival in Shetland, where he grew up. Concentrating on folk and Celtic music, he has become an accomplished percussionist and is now considered to be one of the top players in his genre.

Paul became a professional musician at the age of 18. Since then he has played with, amongst others, Old Blind Dogs, Fred Morrison, Maggie Macinnes and Stuart Cassells and has performed on over 25 albums.

His current band is the up-and-coming Croft No. Five, who in 2005 were invited to perform in Toronto at the First Minister’s reception during his State Visit to Canada.

How the Award Helped

In 2006 Paul and Fraser Stone, also a Dewar Arts Award winner, worked on a New Voices commission for Celtic Connections.

Since the Award

According to Paul, his old drum kit sounded ‘more like an old bucket each day’ and he needed a new kit to do this important commission justice and to record the Croft No. Five new album.

The Dewar Arts Award enabled Paul to buy a new drum kit.

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One of the highlights for me [of 2006] was being able to perform the New Voices [piece] I composed along with fellow percussionist Fraser Stone. The show went great with between 250 and 300 people at the show, we had a great response. We will be looking to record the piece and release it later this year

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2005 Awardee: Nuño de Araujo Pereira

Opera is what I really love and enjoy doing and I am willing to go and work wherever I can to succeed. Without your generous support, I would never have had any of this.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2005
AGE AT AWARD: 30
ARTFORMS: , ,
 
 
 

Biography

Nuño is one of two Portuguese opera singers who have benefited from the Dewar Arts Awards, the other being Carla Caramujo.

While Nuño was studying mathematics and music at Coimbra University in Portugal his singing teachers began to encourage him to consider seriously a career in opera. Subsequently, his teachers at the Opera School at the RSAMD, Glasgow consider his voice – which is a strong baritone with a naturally attractive darkish timbre to it – to be a good Verdi baritone in the making.

A tall man with a big voice and a big stage presence to match, Nuño has already impressed as someone with a healthy ambition, keen to improve and not afraid to work hard.

Nuño has had to struggle financially throughout his vocal studies.  The support from the Dewar Arts Awards enabled him to continue studying at Glasgow at the point when he almost had to give up.  He writes, “I have a big ambition to succeed in Opera. I have worked hard for the last three years in Scotland and now have the wonderful opportunity to develop even more.”

Nuño has completed his studies in Glasgow and is in Germany working with a teacher who trained, amongst other top tenors, José Carreras.

How the Award Helped

Nuño received an award to help fund his postgraduate studies in opera at RSAMD, Glasgow.

Since the Award

Nuño successfully completed his studies in Glasgow and moved to Germany to work with a teacher who trained, amongst other top tenors, José Carreras.

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Opera is what I really love and enjoy doing and I am willing to go and work wherever I can to succeed. Without your generous support, I would never have had any of this.

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2005 Awardee: Nicole O’Neill

YEAR OF AWARD: 2005
AGE AT AWARD: 17
ARTFORMS:
 
 
 

Biography

Nicole, from Wester Hailes in Edinburgh, has been dancing since the age of two. In 1999, then aged 12, she was the only Scottish girl to win a place at the prestigious Royal Ballet School.

In 2005, while still a student, Nicole was picked to tour with the Royal Ballet to Japan, Malaysia and South Korea. The same year, she was one of two students selected to do a Summer School of Excellence in New York at the American Academy of Ballet.

In her final report, the Royal Ballet says of Nicole that, “She is equally capable in classical, contemporary and dramatic works and has also produced many impressive choreographic works herself.”

Nicole graduated from the Royal Ballet School in 2006 and is currently auditioning with the major ballet companies. Because female dancers are returning to dance after starting a family – able to retain their fitness and performance quality throughout – this means that new graduates are having to wait a bit longer to get a start in a ballet company.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award helped fund Nicole’s final two years at the Royal Ballet School, London.

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Awardee: Louis Abbott

YEAR OF AWARD:
AGE AT AWARD:
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Louis caught the eye of his percussion teacher at an early age at Beeslack School in Penicuik. She considered him to be the most naturally talented young percussionist she had ever taught.

Joint winner of the Colin O’Rairdon Memorial Competition in 2003, Louis gained a place in the RSAMD Junior School, later progressing to the RSAMD to study music.

Equally at home in playing orchestral, jazz and rock styles, and a gifted soloist on both marimba and drum kit, Louis is also a talented composer and regularly records his original works. He has a wonderful career in music ahead of him.

How the Award Helped

Louis received a Daughter of Dewar Award for a range of new percussion equipment.

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2005 Awardee: Lauren Steel

I was delighted to received your letter informing me that I had been awarded a grant for a new cello bow

YEAR OF AWARD: 2005
AGE AT AWARD: 16
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Lauren’s family moved from Stornoway so that she could attend Aberdeen City Music School to continue studying ‘cello. The director of the Music School says that Lauren is simply one of the best musicians they have had.

In 2005, she was the only young musician from Aberdeen to win a place on the prestigious National Youth Orchestra for Great Britain.  A combination of outstanding talent and sheer hard work enabled her to pass grade 8 ‘cello by a massive 142 out of a possible 150.

How the Award Helped

Lauren received a Daughter of Dewar Award to buy a new ‘cello bow.

Since the Award

The day after she was told about the Award, she heard that she had been accepted to study cello at the Royal Academy of Music, London.

Many string players believe that a good bow is just as crucial to their playing as a good instrument.  Lauren tried a selection of bows before choosing a modern French one for its lightness and ease of manipulation.

She writes, “the degrees of sound production were increased and the actual tone produced was noticeably different….there were many new colours to experiment with.”

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I was delighted to received your letter informing me that I had been awarded a grant for a new cello bow

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2005 Awardee: Laura-Jane Gibson

It has been extremely hard work doing all my classes at Elmhurst plus all the extra rehearsals and classes with the BRB but it is such an honour for me

YEAR OF AWARD: 2005
AGE AT AWARD: 17
ARTFORMS:
 
 
 

Biography

Laura-Jane, from Ayrshire, has been studying ballet since the age of five.

She became a Junior Associate of the Scottish Ballet when she was 10, and later a Senior Associate. While a part-time dance student, Laura won a number of prestigious dance awards, including the John Marshall Senior Award, and reached the semi-finals of the Young Dancer of the Year in 2005, competing against dancers in full-time training.

In 2005 she also successfully auditioned for the Elmhurst Ballet School in Birmingham. At the end of her first year she won the prize for ‘Most Achieved’ student. Since her second year she has regularly been on tour with the Birmingham Royal Ballet.

How the Award Helped

Laura-Jane received a Dewar Arts Award towards her ballet school tuition.

Since the Award

After successfully graduating from Elmhurst Ballet School, Laura-Jane was offered a contract with Birmingham Royal Ballet where she is now a member of the company.

She writes, “I feel extremely fortunate to be in the position I am in and to have had so many wonderful opportunities offered to me along the way. Without doubt my Dewar Arts Award made so much of this possible for me and gave me the security of knowing that I could give all my time, effort and commitment to my chosen career without any financial worries.”

Mary Goodhew, Artistic Director of Birmingham Ballet, writes, “Throughout her time at Elmhurst Laura Jane. Gibson has been an exemplary student. She is a gifted dancer who is a credit to her family, the supporters and organisations that funded her and all her teachers. I am delighted to say that she is now a professional dancer who graduated from Elmhurst into the Birmingham Royal Ballet.”

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It has been extremely hard work doing all my classes at Elmhurst plus all the extra rehearsals and classes with the BRB but it is such an honour for me

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2005 Awardee: Julia Somerville

The purchase of a first-rate pedal harp ..thanks to [your] support ..marked a major turning point in my career.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2005
AGE AT AWARD:
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Julia Somerville’s CV would be impressive for someone twice her age.

In 2002 she was invited to perform in the public masterclass taken by Edward Witzenburg at the Edinburgh Harp Festival. In 2004 she won a chance to study with Charlotte Seale, internationally-renowned harpist and teacher, at Junior Guildhall. This required Julia to make weekly trips to London, demonstrating her dedication and commitment to her music.

In 2005 she was thrilled to be invited by the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland to perform with Camerata Scotland in their summer tour. Given the exceptionally high standard of this pre-professional orchestra, it was a particular honour to be invited, especially since Julia was not yet studying at a music conservatory.

From Edinburgh, Julia is already an experienced performer and has won many major competitions in harp. Demonstrating such a talent already, it is evident that a very successful career as a professional harpist beckons.

How the Award Helped

Julia received a Daughter of Dewar Award towards a new harp.

Since the Award

Julia writes that “the [new] harp has allowed me to build on my record of achievement”. In 2006 she gained ABRSM Grade 8 Pedal Harp on the basis of a ‘superb recital of the highest standard’. Julia is continuing her musical studies at the University of Edinburgh.

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The purchase of a first-rate pedal harp ..thanks to [your] support ..marked a major turning point in my career.

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2005 Awardee: Judith Williams

Thank you for supporting my studies at the Royal Academy of Music... [and] more than that, for validating my dreams

YEAR OF AWARD: 2005
AGE AT AWARD: 26
ARTFORMS:
 
 
 

Biography

Judith already had an impressive array of TV credits to her name, including Taggart, Heartbeat, River City and the Channel 4 comedy success ‘The Book Group’ – winner of a BAFTA Scotland Award – when she was nominated for an Award.  Her professional theatre life began with Raindog and her film debut was in Peter Mullan’s award-winning Orphans.

From Glasgow, Judith is described as “a rare and wonderful talent”. A leading drama tutor wrote of her that  “there is no question that Judith has the vocal and dramatic ability to succeed professionally. Her vocal instrument is ‘big’ and she has the ability to engage emotionally with her material.”

Judith writes of her experience at the Royal Academy of Music that “the opportunity to be educated at one of Europe’s leading conservatoires has been immense, a really vital part of my development.”

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award funded Judith through the prestigious postgraduate performance diploma in musical theatre at the Royal Academy of Music.

Since the Award

Judith graduated with Distinction, winning a coveted Dip. RAM for outstanding final performance.  Since graduating, Judith has appeared in the lead role in Grant Olding’s musical, Three Sides, at the Shaw Theatre, London, filmed the second series of Hightimes and has been working at the Citizens Theatre in James and the Giant Peach, The Bevellers and Wee Fairy Stories.  Shortly she starts touring Scotland with Dundee Rep’s Sunshine on Leith.

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Thank you for supporting my studies at the Royal Academy of Music... [and] more than that, for validating my dreams

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