Awardee: Tony Polo

"The Dewar Arts Award has given me the opportunity to train at my dream school and for that I am incredibly grateful. Without their generosity I am not sure how or if I would have managed."

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Biography

Since 2016, dance has been a huge part of Tony Polo’s life. He began his journey at Dance Studio Scotland in Anniesland. At that time he was 18 years old and had no prior experience, so he felt very out of his depth. However, as time passed he learned that with hard work and determination he was able to do accomplish his ambitions.

Tony’s training at Dance Studio Scotland was very broad, encapsulating various styles of dance including Ballet, Contemporary, Tap and Jazz. He was also able to work with dancers and choreographers from all over the world, most notably in a Merce Cunningham and John Cage project with Julie Cunningham in Glasgow. Alongside his peers he performed a segment from legendary choreographer Merce Cunningham’s piece ‘Second Hand’.

In 2019, Tony auditioned for the Scottish Ballet’s Youth Exchange Programme. He was successful in gaining a place, which allowed him to work with many highly skilled choreographers. He and also had the enviable chance to perform in New York and in Italy as part of the prestigious Torino Danza Festival.

Tony says he has had some of the best experiences of his life through dance, including being featured in a professional music video for the song ‘Magnetic’ by Seafret and performing on stage as part of the annual show with Dance Studio Scotland entitled ‘Pulse’.

Tony has also had the opportunity to teach. As part of a work placement, he shadowed staff at the Scottish Ballet while they taught classes to people who suffer from Parkinson’s disease. In the final week he was also able to teach his own class, and found the experience to be incredibly touching.

After graduating with an A from Dance Studio Scotland, Tony auditioned and gained a place at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance in Leeds. He hopes in the future be part of a touring contemporary dance company.

How the Award Helped

Tony’s Award supported his studies at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance.

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"The Dewar Arts Award has given me the opportunity to train at my dream school and for that I am incredibly grateful. Without their generosity I am not sure how or if I would have managed."

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2020 Awardee: Anya Phillips

Anya Phillips

"Having this Dewar Award has meant that [Anya] could keep this journey going...without it it would have been impossible...Thank you so so much"

YEAR OF AWARD: 2020
AGE AT AWARD: 16
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Biography

Anya is an accomplished ballet dancer, who started dancing at the young age of 2 1/2 at CSBS Falkirk. During her time there, she took part in many dance productions, as well as gaining the opportunity to feature in TV commercials, STV Children’s Appeal and a range of events.

Anya was successful in gaining a place in Scottish Ballet Junior Associates, Junior Conservatoire at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and also SMB company with Sara Maria Barton.

During her time with the Scottish Ballet, Anya successfully auditioned for a place in ‘The Nutcracker’. She toured with the production to Edinburgh, Glasgow and Newcastle – and thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity. She was then successful in auditioning for the Dance School of Scotland where she boarded for 4 years (and loved every minute).

In her fourth year at the Dance School of Scotland, Anya auditioned for a sought after place at the prestigious Central School of Ballet as well as Elmhurst Ballet School.  She was successful in both auditions, and decided to study at Central on the 3 year BA (Hons) course.

How the Award Helped

Anya received an Award to support her accommodation and living costs at the Central School of Ballet.

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Anya Phillips

"Having this Dewar Award has meant that [Anya] could keep this journey going...without it it would have been impossible...Thank you so so much"

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2020 Awardee: Jacqueline Wheeler

Jacqueline Wheeler

"The Dewar Arts Award has made it possible for me to accomplish my dream of studying at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in London. I will forever be grateful for this amazing opportunity."

YEAR OF AWARD: 2020
AGE AT AWARD: 18
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Biography

Jacqueline Wheeler is a multi-instrumentalist from Lanarkshire. Growing up in a musical family, Jacqueline began taking guitar lessons at an early age, later progressing onto other instruments including the bass guitar and piano when in her early teens. Discovering a strong affinity to jazz piano, at the age of 16 she began studying at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland’s Junior Department where she had the opportunity to study with outstanding jazz musicians such as Paul Towndrow, Tom Gibbs, Pete Johnston, and John Lowery. Her studies here enhanced her musicianship and confidence through participation in piano lessons, jazz ensembles, big band, jazz harmony classes, composition, and regular public performances.

As well as regularly performing and jamming with other like-minded young jazz musicians, Jacqueline takes her performance skills and musicianship outside of jazz genre. She plays regular rock and pop gigs for large audiences, including North Lanarkshire’s prestigious ‘Rockfest’ competition in Motherwell Concert Hall, where she received an award for ‘Best Individual Performance’ in 2020.

Jacqueline has a strong interest in other genres outside of jazz, especially R&B, hip-hop, soul, and house. She takes influence from these genres and incorporates them into her own music. Her hard work, talent and passion for music paid off in 2020 when she was offered a place to study jazz piano at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in London. Jacqueline had dreamed of studying at this world class institution, to equip her with the skills and connections to guide her in her musical development and into the world of professional music.

Jacqueline hopes to inspire the next generation of musicians through her work and her journey to success.  She is a keen composer and music-producer and hopes to release her own original music.

How the Award Helped

Jacqueline’s Dewar Arts Award enabled her to study jazz piano at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music & Dance in London.

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Jacqueline Wheeler

"The Dewar Arts Award has made it possible for me to accomplish my dream of studying at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in London. I will forever be grateful for this amazing opportunity."

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2019 Awardee: Thomas Cameron

Thomas Cameron

"Receiving a Dewar Arts Award has been very encouraging and will allow me to produce a body of work focusing on the places and people of Glasgow"

YEAR OF AWARD: 2019
AGE AT AWARD: 26
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WEBSITE:https://www.thomascameronart.co.uk
 
 

Biography

Thomas is a visual artist who has (so far) lived in Scotland all his life. He has been described by his tutor as having ‘a very particular artistic vision’ which stands out for ‘it’s poetic charge and Romantic referencing’.  Thomas has a fluency in his painting which ‘transforms these otherwise mundane vistas into paintings of subtle beauty’ and a natural facility for drawing that has ‘enabled him to render the things he sees effortlessly’.

Thomas studied Fine Art at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, and Karlsruhe Academy of Fine Art.

Since graduating, Thomas has continued to develop his skills, and produced a solo exhibition at the Sutton Gallery in Edinburgh. This attracted critical praise for his distinct poetic vision. Thomas received the support of the Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation on two occasions, which helped to accelerate his career and cement the potential he demonstrated. He is set to become an artist of significance.

Thomas’ paintings stem from an interest in the moments that often go overlooked due to their familiarity. He works with a wide range of subjects and approaches these intuitively. He is drawn to candid moments, domestic scenes, and fleeting moments of beauty in the everyday. His painting focus on atmosphere and often have a suggestion of narrative, like still frames from a film.

How the Award Helped

Thomas received a Dewar Arts Award to enable him to travel and create, as well as to maintain a studio space at Trongate 103 in Glasgow.

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Thomas Cameron

"Receiving a Dewar Arts Award has been very encouraging and will allow me to produce a body of work focusing on the places and people of Glasgow"

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2019 Awardee: Iain Clarke

iain clarke pianist

"The award has helped enormously towards the funding of my Master of Performance degree at the Royal College of Music in London, allowing me to work with world class teachers and begin my career in one of the cultural capitals of the world."

YEAR OF AWARD: 2019
AGE AT AWARD: 22
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WEBSITE:https://www.facebook.com/iainclarkepiano
 
 

Biography

Born on the Isle of Arran, Iain is a critically-acclaimed classical pianist.

After making his concerto debut aged 16 with the Junior RCS Symphony Orchestra, he went on to gain his ATCL diploma in piano with distinction aged 17 and since then has achieved Grade 8 saxophone and clarinet with distinction.

He has won a great number of prizes including 1st prize in the Moray Piano Competition, 1st prize in the National (UK and Ireland) final of the Rotary Young Musician, 1st prize in the RCS’s Dunbar Gerber chamber music competition, 1st in the Lamond Prize solo piano competition, and 2nd prize in the RCS Walcer Prize for Chopin piano solo.

In 2019 he performed his international recital debut at Kaunas Piano Fest in Lithuania. He also gained his Bachelor’s degree from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS) with First Class Honours, studying with Jonathan Plowright and Heather Slade-Lipkin, with additional tuition from the likes of Olga Kern and Steven Osborne.

Iain went on to gain a place to study on the Master of Performance course at the Royal College of Music in London.

He has performed extensively across the UK in venues including Barbican Hall, Wigmore Hall, Usher Hall and Glasgow City Halls. He has aspirations to make a career as a soloist or collaborative pianist working with orchestras and instrumental soloists.

How the Award Helped

Iain’s Award supported his studies at the Royal College of Music in London.

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iain clarke pianist

"The award has helped enormously towards the funding of my Master of Performance degree at the Royal College of Music in London, allowing me to work with world class teachers and begin my career in one of the cultural capitals of the world."

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2020 Awardee: Kari Hall

“The Dewar Award has allowed me to pursue my dreams of going to drama school. Without this award, this would have remained a dream, thank you so much for making this my reality.”

YEAR OF AWARD: 2020
AGE AT AWARD: 20
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Biography

Born and raised in a small town just outside of Edinburgh, Kari has always had a burning passion for the performing arts. For her, this was a safe place where she always felt free and was able to excel.

After studying her HND in Acting and Performance at New College Lanarkshire in 2019, Kari gained her place at The Bridge Theatre Training Company.

In her time away from her studies, she has worked in a full time role at the Scottish government, as well as with the Citizens Theatre Young Co on the show ‘Adrift’ where she took on the main role of ‘Cammy’. Kari particularly enjoyed working on this piece due to the themes of mental health and her advocacy on the subject.

Kari also has an interest in playwriting, and to pursue this she became part of the Traverse Theatre’s ‘Young Writers’.

After completion of her studies, Kari hopes to have strong foundations and relationships within both Scottish and London theatre. She dreams of one day working with theatre companies such as Frantic Assembly alongside writing and producing her own work, which she hopes to take to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

How the Award Helped

Kari received a Dewar Arts Award to support her studies at The Bridge Theatre Training Company in London.

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“The Dewar Award has allowed me to pursue my dreams of going to drama school. Without this award, this would have remained a dream, thank you so much for making this my reality.”

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2020 Awardee: Roisin Lavery

"I am so honoured to be chosen as a Dewar Artist. This award has allowed me to begin my Masters degree in Vocal Performance at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. It has also given me an incredible personal and professional lift as I commence my career as a young opera singer."

YEAR OF AWARD: 2020
AGE AT AWARD: 20
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WEBSITE:https://www.facebook.com/rosielavery.co.uk/
 
 

Biography

Rosie Lavery is a ‘Ginger Soprano’, described by her tutor Clare Shearer at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland as ‘innately musical’ with ‘a very special soprano voice that has huge potential’.

Rosie is a Britten-Pears Young Artist 2020, has won the prestigious Governor’s Recital Prize at RCS and was Highly Commended (2nd Place) in the French Song Competition. She has performed recital programmes around Scotland, in venues such as The House of an Art Lover  and Institut Français. She has also completed a residency at the Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA) in Glasgow as one of two singers in a live art installation names ‘An Atmosphere of Joyful Contemplation’.

Following her love of contemporary music, Rosie was a soloist during RCS Plug Festival, premiering a piece by Graeme Law titled ‘This May be for the best’. She has performed all over Europe, including performances of Donizetti’s ‘L’elisir d’amore’ in the Palazzo Corsini in Florence. She has been the soprano soloist with many choirs in Glasgow, including RCS Voices, Academy of Sacred Music and Glasgow Cathedral Choir.

Rosie has been involved in various projects with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, including a radio recording of Bartok’s ‘Der Wünderbar Mandarin’. She was selected for the Associate Artist Programme at RCS, working with Karen Cargill in coachings, masterclasses and residencies.

Rosie is also the Musical Director for Sounds International Choir, and the Assistant Musical Director of the St Andrew’s Cathedral Choir. Her ambition is to perform throughout the world.

How the Award Helped

Rosie’s Award enabled her to study a Masters Degree at the RCS with her respected tutor Clare Shearer.

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"I am so honoured to be chosen as a Dewar Artist. This award has allowed me to begin my Masters degree in Vocal Performance at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. It has also given me an incredible personal and professional lift as I commence my career as a young opera singer."

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2020 Awardee: Christopher Michie

"Receiving this financial help from The Dewar Arts Awards is extremely beneficial and will inevitably allow me to flourish. Thank you so much!"

YEAR OF AWARD: 2020
AGE AT AWARD: 23
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Christopher Michie is a Glasgow based flautist.

As a student at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland Christopher received tutelage from Ruth Morley as well as taking part in numerous competitions and ensemble projects. He has been a Concerto Finalist and two-time Chamber Recital Finalist. In 2019, Christopher won the prestigious Governor’s Solo Woodwind Recital Prize and later played alongside the Scottish Chamber Orchestra’s Wind Soloists.

Christopher gained a position on the Live Music Now Scotland scheme as part of the Clark-Michie flute and harp duo, bringing live music to children with additional support needs and the elderly suffering from dementia. As well as performance, Christopher enjoys teaching and pedagogy, and regularly tutors students of all ages.

Christopher is an advocate and ambassador for fair access in the arts. As a former Transitions student at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, he believes that music should be open to everyone from all walks of life.

As an artist, Christopher’s ambition is to build a thriving portfolio career of orchestral, chamber and solo playing.

In 2020, Christopher was accepted to study a masters at the prestigious Royal College of Music in London.

How the Award Helped

Christopher received an Award to support his postgraduate studies at the Royal College of Music.

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"Receiving this financial help from The Dewar Arts Awards is extremely beneficial and will inevitably allow me to flourish. Thank you so much!"

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2019 Awardee: Alexis Tie-Gill

"The Dewar Arts Award has allowed me to develop my playing and my music without having to constantly worry about the cost. It has allowed me to broaden my horizons and have big goals for the future. I hope to become a professional musician and share my music with others."

YEAR OF AWARD: 2019
AGE AT AWARD: 13
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Biography

Alexis Tie-Gill is a violinist and pianist. She began playing both instruments at the age of 9, and by 13 had demonstrated an exceptional talent.  She won several competitions at the Edinburgh Music Festival and was selected to play in the Junior National Youth Orchestra of Scotland for two years in a row. In the second year, she was selected as leader of the orchestra. As well as performing in many concerts, Alexis gained a distinction for her Grade 7 piano and a merit for Grade 7 violin.

In 2014 Alexis’ father passed away, and she became concerned about the costs her family incurred through her participation in music. She applied to the Dewar Arts Awards for support, to enable her to continue to develop her skills as a musician without placing a financial burden on her family.

How the Award Helped

Alexis received an Award to support her with her orchestral and tuition fees, and to purchase a new violin.

She writes;

“I am very grateful to everyone at Dewar Arts Awards…I have been able to purchase a violin which is the right size for me, which suits my playing and allows me to express myself. From the funding, I will be able to have the opportunity to lead the Junior National Youth Orchestra of Scotland and be taught privately by professional musicians who will help me to achieve my goals and become a successful musician. Dewar Arts has given me many opportunities which I never would have experienced without them.”

Since the Award

Update April 2020:

Alexis received an additional award to support her participation in Senior NYOS, RCS and summer camps for violin and piano. She achieved grade 8 on both piano and vioin whilst in her third year of senior school, was ‘Highly Commended’ for the RCS Gilbert Innes Prize for Piano, and gained Second Prize in the Kawai New Piano Stars competition (Age 14-15).

“Receiving a Dewar Arts Award has allowed me to become a more open-minded musician and to take hold of new opportunities which come my way. It has also encouraged me to have high hopes and aspirations for the future. I am grateful for the help which Dewar Arts has given me and hope that one day I will be able to give back through my music making”

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"The Dewar Arts Award has allowed me to develop my playing and my music without having to constantly worry about the cost. It has allowed me to broaden my horizons and have big goals for the future. I hope to become a professional musician and share my music with others."

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2019 Awardee: Amy Paterson

"I am so grateful to have received this award...allowing me to branch out and study at a conservatoire level, which will help me reach my goal to become a professional musician."

YEAR OF AWARD: 2019
AGE AT AWARD: 17
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Amy is a Tenor Horn player from the small town of Campbeltown in the West of Scotland.

From a very young age, Amy demonstrated a musical maturity and ability far beyond her years. It was clear that she had a real gift for music. Much of Amy’s success as a musician has come from her determination for accuracy and her commitment to embracing all musical opportunities available to her.

Coming from a remote location meant Amy often had to travel long distances for playing opportunities. In spite of this, as a young musician she committed herself to several nights a week with a brass band as well as taking on solo and ceilidh gigs with her fiddle. She also taught younger pupils privately, being highly regarded by parents and pupils alike.

At school, she proved herself to be an asset – taking part in countless shows, concerts and community playing events. She also took the role of principle horn with the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland for several years running, and won a number of awards and solo competitions.

When receiving her Dewar Arts Award in 2019, she was the Scottish Brass solo champion and had been featured in Les Neish’s Rising Stars section in the British Bandsman magazine. She gained a place to study Tenor Horn Performance at the Royal Northern College Of Music, with her ambition being to develop her performance skills and pass on her knowledge through teaching others.

How the Award Helped

Amy’s Dewar Arts Award supported her in taking up her place to study at the Royal Northern College of Music.

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"I am so grateful to have received this award...allowing me to branch out and study at a conservatoire level, which will help me reach my goal to become a professional musician."

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