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.