Biography

After a difficult start in life, spending some years under the care of social services, Shaun has worked hard to build on early talent in dance to become a young male dancer of great promise.
When Shaun started out at the Dance School of Scotland he had had no previous dance experience. In the subsequent five years, he made remarkable progress and has now won a coveted place at Elmhurst School of Dance, with links with the Birmingham Royal Ballet.

While still at the Dance School, Shaun won the choreographic competition award which was performed at the Crawford Theatre, Jordanhill. He also won the Progress Prize in his final year at the school, and for the past five years performed in the school’s end of year shows.

Shaun’s ambition is to become a professional dancer. He writes: “dance is not only my passion in life in fact it is my life.”

How the Award Helped

Since the Award

Shaun made excellent progress in his first year. He won the upper school choreography competition which was judged by Sir Peter Wright, Marion Tait and Desmond Kelly. His funding continues into year two.

In his second year, Shaun was offered the opportunity to tour with the Birmingham Royal Ballet in The Sleeping Beauty. He was subsequently invited by the BRB to perform in Kenneth MacMillan’s Romeo & Juliet. Shaun’s support has been continued into a third year.

Shaun started his third year full of confidence that he would find a job with a major ballet company. After a successful tour with the Birmingham Royal Ballet in Romeo and Juliet it transpired that Shaun had to have an ankle operation. This devastating news effectively halted his progress towards his ultimate goal. Elmhurst fully supported his plan to continue there for a further year to prepare for auditions, and his support from the Dewar Arts Awards was also continued. Shaun writes that without the help of the Dewar Arts Awards, he would not have been able to change his life and become a professional dancer. Update: May 2012

Shaun has gained a place as Second Soloist at The Ballet of the Croatian National Theatre. He will be performing as The Prince in their upcoming production of Cinderella.

Shaun gained a place as Second Soloist at The Ballet of the Croatian National Theatre. He performed as Prince Charming in their production of Cinderella. Read a press article here.

Biography

Andrew began to study ballet at the age of eight and quickly showed a natural physical aptitude. He joined the Scottish Ballet Junior Associates programme and later auditioned successfully for the Dance School of Scotland, where he studied for four years. He won class prize twice and featured in the School’s annual showcases at the King’s Theatre and Theatre Royal, Glasgow.

During his time at the Dance School, Andrew showed himself to be a committed, focused and hard-working student. He gained distinctions in the Royal Academy of Dance examinations for ballet, modern and tap dancing. His teachers saw in him a musicality and expressive range beyond his years, which have developed as he has matured. Andrew also shows a natural instinct and sensitive rapport for working with a partner, which is crucial for a male dancer.

Andrew has won a place at the prestigious Elmhurst School of Dance in association with Birmingham Royal Ballet, to study for the 3-year National Diploma in Dance. He has received a Dance and Drama Award, awards which are given to only the most talented students at audition.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award will go towards Andrew’s tuition and living costs while at Elmhurst.

Since the Award

Biography

Hailing from Port Glasgow, Craig first started studying dance at Anniesland College. His talent quickly shone through when his choreographed piece ‘Three’s a Crowd’ won gold in both the UK Skills Challenge and Craftex UK. He performed in Barcelona at the International Dance Grand Prix with the successful hip hop troupe which won the gold medal. In his last year at Anniesland, he won the Chairman’s Award, given to the most outstanding student of the year.

Since a young child Craig has wanted to perform. While at Anniesland College his choreographic work stood out as original and imaginative. His combination of natural facility, musicality and sheer hard work enabled Craig to make huge improvements to his dance technique. Winning a place at the London Studio Centre will enable him to work towards his ultimate goal.

Craig is considered to have the physical abilities, mental attitude and potential to reach the highest levels in his profession. The only thing stopping him was lack of financial support to pursue his dreams.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award will help Craig through his studies at the London Studio Centre. After a successful first year at the Studio Centre, Craig writes, “I have enjoyed my first year and can feel that I have improved greatly since beginning.” His support has been extended for a second year. Later, after a successful second year, Craig’s support was extended into his final year.

Since the Award

Biography

Edinburgh-born Hannah Venet developed an interest in dance when she was four years old. Initially she began as a pupil at the Theatre School, Edinburgh and joined the Scottish Ballet Junior Associates in 1998. As a pupil at Broughton High, she became part of the school’s specialist dance unit. After leaving school she continued to study dance at the Laban in London, where she gained a first class honours in dance theatre.

While at Laban, Hannah had the opportunity of working with many respected and accomplished dancers, and also participated in workshops led by some of the leading exponents of contemporary dance. Following that, Hannah won a place on the highly-competitive MA in Dance Performance course at the Transitions Dance Company, where only twelve places are offered a year.

The Transitions Dance Company was set up to offer dance students a stepping stone into the professional world. There, Hannah will continue to work alongside some internationally renowned choreographers. While a student at the Laban, Hannah impressed as an open and responsive dancer who was mature, sensitive and dedicated to her art. The fact that she has won a place with Transitions is testament to her calibre as a dancer.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award will help towards Hannah’s fees and living costs while working and studying with the Transitions Dance Company.

Since the Award

Hannah successfully completed her postgraduate studies and was awarded a Masters, with Merit, on her thesis “New Possibilities of Meaning….’  Of her experiences at the Transitions Dance Company, Hannah writes: “I have learnt so much in this Dewar supported year and I have been given the time, responsibility and freedom to develop as an individual with guidance from tutors and fellow dancers alike. My confidence in my own uniqueness and abilities has grown and I feel ready to continue to learn and grow as a Scottish contemporary dancer, but also knowing where I have come from and who I feel I am as an artist.”

Biography

Paisley-born Kevin Young’s story is pure ‘Billy Elliott’. His first dance teacher well remembers him as one of a group of boys who would hang about outside her dance classes annoying the girls as they entered and left the classes. But it later emerged that his real interest was in what went on in the dance classes inside the building, and eventually the dance teacher invited him to come inside and have free dance lessons.

She writes “from the first moment … as he walked into the dance studio dressed in his football strip and baseball boots I always knew there was something special about him.” Kevin went on to devote himself to hard work to developing his dance technique. He happily stood at the barre alongside girls half his age, learning the basics.

Kevin is the perfect example of hard graft, passion and self-belief being as vital to ultimate success as natural ability. He is an exciting performer already and commands the stage whenever he performs. Moreover he is an inspiration to youngsters from his area who well remember what he was and can see what he now has the potential to become. Kevin has won an international group hip hop championship and the UK solo hip hop and street competitions.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts will help towards the costs for Kevin to study at the London Studio Centre.

After a successful first year, Kevin writes, “My year at London Studio Centre has been one of the best years of my life, I have felt such a progression in all aspects of my dancing, acting and singing.” His support has been extended for a subsequent year.  Kevin’s support was continued into his final year after a successful second year.

Since the Award

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.”

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.