Biography

Alana grew up in Orkney, and at the age of 9, began her dance journey at Just Dance. With the help and guidance from her dance teacher, Alana was the first person from Orkney to be accepted into the Dance School of Scotland. After studying at the Dance School of Scotland for two years, Alana was accepted into the prestigious Central School of Ballet, Northern Ballet School, and Edinburgh Festival Ballet School. Alana decided to accept a place at Edinburgh Festival Ballet School, where she will complete a three-year programme with the hope of being accepted into their company. Peter Schaufuss is the founder and Artistic Director of EFB and is widely recognised as one of the most talented male dancers on the international stage.

How the Award Helped

Funding from the Dewar Arts Awards will support Alana’s studies at the Edinburgh Festival Ballet School.

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.

Biography

Rory began dancing at a very young age, and has always shown passion, strong focus, and commitment to developing his skills to the highest level.

At age 12, Rory took part in a competitive audition process and gained a place at the prestigious Dance School of Scotland.  During his time at the school he was awarded the Progress Prize, took part in the school’s choreography performances, and performed in end of year shows at the Theatre Royal, Glasgow and The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. In 2013 he successfully auditioned for a part in Scottish Ballet’s production of Hansel & Gretel.   At the age of 16, Rory gained his RAD Advanced 1 (Ballet), ISTD Advanced 2 (National Dance), and ISTD Intermediate (Modern Dance) certificates.

In 2016, Rory was offered a place on the Scottish Ballet’s Youth Exchange Programme, where he attended weekly classes and workshops at Scottish Ballet.  This took much dedication and commitment as he took part in this alongside his dance school classes and studying for his National 5 exams.

Rory travelled to New York with the Youth Exchange group to collaborate with students from TISCH School of The Arts at New York University.  While there he had the opportunity to take classes at New York City Ballet.

At age 16, Rory competed against students from the UK and abroad for a place to study at the prestigious Central School of Ballet, London.  He was proud to be the only student in his year achieve this, and accepted a place on the BA (Hons) in Professional Dance and Performance.

How the Award Helped

Biography

Growing up in Glasgow, with both parents working in the arts, Harvey was never under any illusions about the dedication needed to pursue a career in ballet. He knew it could be brutal and exhausting, requiring total commitment and focus, but also how fantastic and rewarding this profession could potentially be.

At age 10, Harvey joined Scottish Ballet Junior Associates, where he was first inspired to focus on ballet. He then moved to the Dance School of Scotland, where he graduated in 2016 receiving the Outstanding Achievement Award.

In 2015, Harvey was one of around 200 young people throughout the world to apply to The English National Ballet School. He attended the summer school, and was offered a final audition without having to complete the preliminary stage. He successfully gained a place and became one of only two British boys in his year.

Harvey and his family are incredibly proud of his achievements to date, and feel he could not have done this without the support and commitment from his initial teachers in Scotland.  His ambition is to become a principle dancer in a ballet company, performing the well-loved classical ballets as well as new and exciting works.

How the Award Helped

Biography

Born and brought up in Glasgow, Scot joined the Dance School of Scotland in 2011, having never had a dance lesson in his life.  Whilst there he performed in the Scottish Ballet’s staging of Hansel and Gretel as well as in venues such as the King’s Theatre, the Theatre Royal and the Royal Concert Hall.

After just three and a half years at the Dance School he audiitioned for the Central School of Ballet in London.  He was successful, and became the only member of his year group to gain a place at this prestigious institution.

Scot has natural movement, co-ordination and stamina, which has enabled him to develop an outstanding technique in a short time. Coupled with his dedicated work ethic, Scot demonstrates the qualities necessary to achieve at the highest level.

How the Award Helped

Biography

As a professional dancer, Lewis has performed with David Hughes Dance, Errol White Company and the Scottish Opera. He choreographed and performed in Dreamland Theatre’s first production, introducing French song and classical dance to children, and completed a Choreographic Residency at Dance Base.

How the Award Helped

Lewis received a Dewar Arts Award to enable him to attend a month-long training and information-gathering opportunity at the Henny Jurriens Dance and Choreography Intensive in Amsterdam.

The event brings together international teachers and performers of the highest quality and provides an intense learning opportunity, allowing Lewis to explore how his classical training sits in a context of international contemporary work.

Biography

Amy has lived in Scotland all her life.  She began ballet lessons at the age of six, and four years later became a Scottish Ballet Junior Associate.  In 2010 she successfully auditioned for the Dance School of Scotland in Glasgow and began her vocational training.

Whilst in Glasgow, Amy achieved distinction in all her exams in ballet, national and modern dance.  She also studied tap, contemporary and choregraphy alongside sitting her National 5 exams. She gained performance experience in competitions and showcases at key Glasgow venues including the King’s Theatre and the Royal Concert Hall, and represented the Dance School of Scotland at a range of events.

In 2014, aged just 15, Amy secured a place on the BA (Hons) in Professional Dance and Performance at the prestigious Central School of Ballet in London.

How the Award Helped

Biography

Nadina is a very gifted and dedicated young dancer with exceptional talent. She started ballet lessons in her hometown of Wemyss Bay at the age of three, and in 2008 she was offered a place at the Scottish Ballet as a Junior Associate.  She went on to achieve a place at the Dance School of Scotland in Glasgow.

During her time at the Dance School she gained distinctions in all her vocational ballet exams, won a Scholarship and Commendation at Dance Summer Schools and achieved a place as a semi-finalist at the Royal Academy of Dance Genée International Ballet Competition 2013.  She also featured in the Dance School’s annual performances in the Kings Theatre and Theatre Royal Glasgow.

In 2013 Nadina successfully auditioned for the prestigious Central School of Ballet in London, gaining a place on their BA(Hons) course in Professional Dance and Performance.

How the Award Helped

Biography

Gavin is from Motherwell in Scotland and trained at The Dance School of Scotland and English National Ballet School. Alongside his studies, he worked part-time with the Dance School at the Royal Academy of Dance.

Gavin joined Northern Ballet upon his graduation in 2014 and in 2020 was promoted to Junior Soloist. He has danced several leading roles including Acolyte in Jean-Christophe Malliot’s Romeo and Juliet, Athos in David Nixon CBE’s The Three Musketeers and Tom in David Nixon CBE’s The Great Gatsby, Dr. Seward in David Nixon CBE’s Dracula, St. John in Cathy Marston’s Jane Eyre and John Brown in Cathy Marston’s Victoria and Drosselmeyer in David Nixon CBE’s The Nutcracker.

Gavin’s coaching experience has found him leading classes and workshops for Northern Ballet, Royal Academy of Dance, Scottish Ballet’s Associate Programme, Darlington Hippodrome, The Ballet Retreat, London Studio Centre, Moorland International Ballet Academy and Conservatorio de Dance do Vale do Sousa in Portugal. He also sits on the board of Yorkshire Dance in Leeds, an ACE-funded charity which invites people who normally have little access to dance to experience its transformational power.

How the Award Helped

Gavin’s award supported him in his studies at the English National Ballet School.

Since the Award

In 2019 he was commissioned to create a short film for Northern Ballet’s Digital Platform, Silenced, which went on to win Best Dance Short at the New Renaissance Film Festival in London. In 2021, his first ballet specifically for young people, Pinocchio, premiered for Northern Ballet in Leeds before a substantial nationwide tour. More recently, he choreographed a new narrative work for Images 2022, Assembly Line, which toured to several venues including Lilian Baylis at Sadler’s Wells.

In 2023, Gavin directed and choreographed a reimagined Snow White for London Children’s Ballet which opened at the Peacock Theatre in London followed by Journey, a new narrative work to celebrate Elmhurst Ballet School’s centenary.