2017 Awardee: Adam Lee

"By attending the NYOS Symphony Orchestra course, I will gain invaluable skills...helping me in my journey towards a career playing in orchestras as a professional musician."

YEAR OF AWARD: 2017
AGE AT AWARD: 17
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/adamlee9916

Biography

Adam started learning the clarinet at primary school with Rachel Considine.  He joined the high achieving North Ayrshire Schools’ Senior Concert Band where he met Matthew Chinn and with much encouragement and support from both him and his clarinet teacher, he successfully auditioned for the Junior Conservatoire at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, where he studied for two years with Alison Waller.

During his time at the Junior Conservatoire, Adam won the 2016/17 Gilbert Innes Woodwind Prize and was one of three people selected as a concerto soloist to perform with the Junior Conservatoire Symphony Orchestra.  He has also enjoyed successes at many local, regional and national events, including the Ayrshire Music Festival where he was the first person to win the Elizabeth McNair Trophy for Best Overall Instrumental Performance three years in a row.

Adam was a member of the West of Scotland Schools’ Symphony Orchestra in 2017 and was selected as their concerto soloist, performing Malcolm Arnold’s Clarinet Concerto No. 2.  He was also a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland Symphony Orchestra the same year, performing in top performance venues across Scotland, including the Usher Hall, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall and Perth Concert Hall.

In 2017, Adam successfully auditioned for a place on the BMus course at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, where he studies with John Cushing.  He was also awarded a Robertson Trust Scholarship to support his studies.  In February 2018, Adam won a Yamaha Music Foundation of Europe Clarinet Scholarship, being one of seven people selected from Conservatoires across the U.K. to perform in the live final at the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester.

How the Award Helped

Adam’s award allowed him to purchase a new A clarinet and attend the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland Symphony Orchestra, helping him pursue his ambition of performing both as a soloist and in professional orchestras.

Juniors Concerto – Adam performing with the Junior Conservatoire Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Jean-Claude Picard.

West Orchestra Concerto – Adam performing with the West of Scotland Schools’ Symphony Orchestra, conducted by James Lowe.

Yamaha Scholarship – Pictured with Heather Nicoll, Head of Woodwind at Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, after winning a Yamaha Music Foundation of Europe Clarinet Scholarship.

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"By attending the NYOS Symphony Orchestra course, I will gain invaluable skills...helping me in my journey towards a career playing in orchestras as a professional musician."

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2016 Awardee: Findlay Spence

"The support I have received from the Dewar Arts Awards has allowed me to take the next steps on my path to becoming the best musician that I can be. It has made it possible for me to continue this amazing journey. Thank you!"

YEAR OF AWARD: 2016
AGE AT AWARD: 18
ARTFORMS: ,
 
EMAIL:findlayspence@cooptel.net
TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/FindlaySpence

Biography

Findlay began to learn the ’cello at the age of eight, first with Isobel Grant in his hometown of Fortrose on the Black Isle, before starting lessons with Ruth Beauchamp in Edinburgh. In 2013, Findlay gained a place at St. Mary’s Music School and, in 2016, he began his studies with Melissa Phelps at the Royal College of Music in London.

As well as performing with youth orchestras and ensembles around the country (he was principal cello of the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland, performing at the BBC Proms), Findlay has also had involvement with varied community music projects and has enjoyed working with Sistema Scotland, Fèis Rois, and Cromarty Youth Opera amongst others.

Findlay is a keen composer, having studied with Tom David Wilson and Simon Holt. In 2016, he attained places at five conservatoires in Britain and secured the position of Music Scholar and Composer in Residence at St. Paul’s Church, Knightsbridge.

Findlay writes:

“For as long as I can remember, listening to and making music has been centrally important for me. It is hard to imagine a life without this and I am certain that it would seem a very poor substitute. Knowing for myself (and observing in others) the power of music to influence and inspire, it is my life’s ambition and purpose to bring that to other people. As a musician, my personal goal is to become the best and most accomplished that I can. As a cellist, and as a composer, I aspire to make music of the very highest standard.”

How the Award Helped

Findlay’s Award supported his musical studies on the four year BMus (Hons) at the Royal College of Music in London, where he was offered a scholarship place to study with Melissa Phelps.

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"The support I have received from the Dewar Arts Awards has allowed me to take the next steps on my path to becoming the best musician that I can be. It has made it possible for me to continue this amazing journey. Thank you!"

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2016 Awardee: Ethan Skuodas

"I feel very privileged to receive this award. The opportunity this award has given me to push myself to become an even better musician I am extremely grateful for."

YEAR OF AWARD: 2016
AGE AT AWARD: 18
ARTFORMS: , ,
 
 
 

Biography

Ethan began playing percussion and the timpani at the age of 10, and through hard work and talent became a promising young musician with a will to succeed.

After studying at the Junior Royal Conservatoire of Scotland for two years and performing with the likes of The National Youth Orchestra of Scotland and the West of Scotland School’s Symphony Orchestra, Ethan chose to continue his studies at the Royal Academy of Music. His teachers include Simon Carrington for timpani and Andrew Barclay for percussion.

Ethan loves to perform, especially in an orchestral setting. He is also keen to encourage others into music and has tutored younger students, instilling his own passions with patience, talent and enthusiasm. On completion of his studies, Ethan is determined to become a principal timpanist on a worldwide stage.

How the Award Helped

Ethan’s Award supported him in his studies at the Royal Academy of Music, helping him fulfil his long-term ambition to become a professional timpanist.

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"I feel very privileged to receive this award. The opportunity this award has given me to push myself to become an even better musician I am extremely grateful for."

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2016 Awardee: Andrew Birse

"I am extremely grateful to the Dewar Awards for helping me to fulfil my dream of studying violin at a prestigious conservatoire. I am passionate about music and will work hard towards achieving a career in violin performance."

YEAR OF AWARD: 2016
AGE AT AWARD: 19
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Andrew is a highly dedicated violinist who strives for excellence, and whose dream has always been to become a professional musician of the highest calibre.

Born in Aberdeen, Andrew has played with many local orchestras including the Aberdeen Sinfonietta and the Aberdeen Chamber Orchestra, as well as the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain. He was the deputy leader of the Grampian Youth Orchestra and the principal 2nd violin for the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland, playing in the Royal Albert Hall for the BBC Proms as part of their tour.

As well as playing in orchestras, Andrew has a great interest in chamber and choral music. He has been a chorister at St. Machar’s Cathedral in Aberdeen and was a member of the Aberdeen Bach Choir. He has played in various quartets and ensembles, including the Scottish Ensemble on their “Concerts by Candlelight” tour around Scotland.

Andrew gained a place to study at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester.  This provided him with the opportunity to hone his skills and take the next steps towards achieving his dream.

How the Award Helped

Andrew received an Award to support him in his studies at the Royal Northern College of Music. This enabled him to develop his skills as a musician, as well as share his ‘fire’ and passion for music with others.

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"I am extremely grateful to the Dewar Awards for helping me to fulfil my dream of studying violin at a prestigious conservatoire. I am passionate about music and will work hard towards achieving a career in violin performance."

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2016 Awardee: Magnus Green

"I am profoundly grateful to The Dewar Arts Awards [for] this extraordinary opportunity to continue to realise my ambitions and keep progressing along this hugely exciting journey."

YEAR OF AWARD: 2016
AGE AT AWARD: 18
ARTFORMS: , ,
 
 
 

Biography

Brought up on a deer farm near Elgin, Magnus is a keen composer and a highly proficient multi-instrumentalist, playing piano, violin, and accordion. In 2016, he won a highly coveted place at the Royal Academy of Music to study Composition with Christopher Austin.

Magnus began learning the piano accordion and violin at the age of 6 and began teaching himself the piano around the same time, developing the skill of improvisation which ultimately lead to his interest in composition. Whilst at school he played violin with the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland, as well gigging regularly as a pianist. In tandem with his classical pursuits, he is also a keen Jazz musician, and performs regularly both as a solo pianist and as part of his jazz trio.

Magnus is very involved in traditional Scottish music, and appears regularly as an accordionist with his ceilidh band. Composition is his foremost passion, and it is his ambition to become a composer for film and television as well as for the concert stage.

Magnus says:

“For the last four years of my Grandpa’s life he struggled with severe dementia, and during this time, I discovered that through music I could communicate emotionally with him, even though he was otherwise unable to respond coherently. It is this potential for emotional communication which gives me an unbeatable thrill and is the primary factor driving me to compose. I love presenting my work to an audience and observing how they respond and interpret the music individually.

It is my ambition to become a composer for film and television, as well as the concert stage. For a young composer, I cannot possibly overstate what an extraordinary opportunity being able to study at the Academy is. The truly outstanding feature of my studies here is the vast array of performance opportunities offered to composers, providing second-to-none practical experience of writing for world-class musicians.“

How the Award Helped

Magnus’s Award supported his musical studies on the four year BMus (Hons) at the Royal Academy of Music in London, where he gained one of only 4 places.

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"I am profoundly grateful to The Dewar Arts Awards [for] this extraordinary opportunity to continue to realise my ambitions and keep progressing along this hugely exciting journey."

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2015 Awardee: Ewan Zuckert

It is amazing to be supported by this award and I am incredibly grateful.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2015
AGE AT AWARD: 22
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Born in Edinburgh, clarinetist Ewan began his studies at the City of Edinburgh Music School.  There he excelled as a musician, gaining the ABRSM’s Gold Award for highest mark in the Grade 8 Clarinet Exam and becoming a Rotary Young Musician of the Year in 2010.

At the age of 17, Ewan secured a place at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow and was taught by many prominent players inlcuding John Cushing and Yann Ghiro. He played with the RCS Symphony and Chamber Orchestras as well as their most prestigious wind ensemble.  He regularly performed and competed, receiving numerous commendations, and has gained professional experience at home and abroad with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, the Scottish Opera and the Dunedin Consort.

Ewan achieved a 1st Class Bachelor of Music with Honours in 2014. From there he enrolled on the Master of Music in Performance course at the Royal College of Music in London. This gave him the opportunity to further develop his skills and to work alongside many world-class musicians.

How the Award Helped

Ewan’s Dewar Award allowed him to complete his final year of masters studies at the RCM in London.

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It is amazing to be supported by this award and I am incredibly grateful.

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2015 Awardee: Klaudia Korzeniewska

This award has made my plans and dreams possible to achieve. I would not be able to continue my studies and certainly could not give my full potential and focus to singing if not for this generous award...Thank you for giving me your support and belief.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2015
AGE AT AWARD: 26
ARTFORMS: , ,
 
 
 

Biography

Klaudia begun her musical education at the National Music School in Poland studying flute. After moving to the Scotland she entered the Royal Conservatoire, studying voice with Helen Lawson. During her undergraduate studies she had the opportunity to collaborate with the Scottish Opera on projects that captured her imagination, including Janacek’s Cunning Little Vixen and Monteverdi’s L’Incoronazione di Poppea.

Klaudia’s childhood dream was to sing and act, and since discovering a love of opera she found this to be the perfect combination of her two passions. She set out to gain as much experience as possible in the operatic environment, and to study the profession at the highest level.

In 2014, Klaudia went on to gain a place on the Masters in Opera, under tutelage of Clare Shearer. Klaudia has played key roles in numerous high profile performances, and has finely developed her soprano voice. She was highly commended in the Frank Spedding Lieder competition; gained the Hugh S Roberton Prize for Scottish Singing, and won the Tony and Tania Webster Russian Song Competition 2015.

How the Award Helped

Klaudia received a Dewar Award to support her masters studies at the RCS, allowing her to pursue her love of opera and achieve her full potential as a soprano.

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This award has made my plans and dreams possible to achieve. I would not be able to continue my studies and certainly could not give my full potential and focus to singing if not for this generous award...Thank you for giving me your support and belief.

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2015 Awardee: Jamie King

Jamie has found his perfect instrument. He's very glad that he is able to play, meet likeminded people and aspire to be one of the best. (Jamie's mother)

YEAR OF AWARD: 2015
AGE AT AWARD: 11
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Jamie took up bassoon whilst at primary school in the southside of Glasgow, and very quickly showed a real aptitude for this complex wind instrument. Within a few short months he sat his grade 2 exam, passed with a high distinction and gained a place to study at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland’s Junior School of Music.

Jamie has an impressive and ever-growing list of achievements. He secured seats with the National Children’s Orchestra of Great Britain (Under 12) as well as the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland (Junior Orchestra). At Glasgow Music Festival, he won the Hopkinson Award for most promising performer of primary school age, and won the regional trophy at the Robert Burns World Federation Schools Competition.

Jamie is a conscientious and focused learner, whose love of music and the bassoon will ensure his continued success.  He is developing his own sense of style on both the bassoon and the piano, and has ambitions to play in world class orchestras.

How the Award Helped

Jamie’s Dewar Award has enabled him to invest in an instrument and his studies.  This has allowed him to access a number of experiences that his family would not otherwise have been able to afford. He has participated in residential weeks, concert performances and additional studies, building up a repertoire that will stand him in good stead for the future.

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Jamie has found his perfect instrument. He's very glad that he is able to play, meet likeminded people and aspire to be one of the best. (Jamie's mother)

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2015 Awardee: Lily Caunt

"I am absolutely thrilled to have received a Dewar Arts Award, it will enable me to focus on what I love – playing the flute!"

YEAR OF AWARD: 2015
AGE AT AWARD: 23
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Born and brought up in the Scottish Borders, Lily began her musical life there before moving to St. Mary’s Music School in Edinburgh. She went on to study for a BA in Music at the University of Bristol, graduating with first class honours in July 2013.  Lily has been described as a powerful, dignified and sensitive performer who is destined for a truly wonderful career.

While at university, Lily embraced the wide range of musical activities on offer, studying the flute with Sarah Newbold, acting as Principal Flute of the University Symphony and Wind Orchestras, taking part in the New Music Ensemble and running the Music Society’s chamber music programme. During her final year, Lily spent a term at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance on an Erasmus programme.  She explored voice, dance and collaborations between the two.

Alongside her classical studies, Lily also has an interest in folk music, and received a scholarship to take part in the Boxwood Festival in Nova Scotia, Canada.

Lily has also had the opportunity to take part in masterclasses with Ian Clarke, Wissam Boustany, Ruth Morley, Alison Mitchell, Michael Cox, Kate Hill and Samuel Coles.

As a Resident Graduate Assistant and Practice Supervisor at the Purcell School for Young Musicians, Lily was able to nurture her love for teaching, which she hopes to continue alongside performance in her future career.

How the Award Helped

In 2015, Lily was delighted to gain a place on the Master of Music in Flute Performance course at the Royal Northern College of Music.  The Dewar Arts Awards supported her in accepting her place, offering her the opportunity to further develop her skills and pursue her ambition of becoming a professional flute performer and teacher.

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"I am absolutely thrilled to have received a Dewar Arts Award, it will enable me to focus on what I love – playing the flute!"

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2015 Awardee: Thomas Henderson

The support of the Dewar Arts Award allowed me to complete the necessary study to take my career to the next level. I have returned from it a more confident and prepared professional.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2015
AGE AT AWARD: 25
ARTFORMS: , ,
 
EMAIL:director@magneticopera.co.uk
 

Biography

Thomas is young Scottish opera stage director based in Edinburgh. He studied at St Mary’s Music School, and went on to find his inspiration for the art-form whilst directing for the Aberdeen University Opera as an undergraduate. He continued to develop his craft by studying at the Accedemia Europea di Firenze in Italy, focusing on Italian opera.

Thomas is a trained musician, singer and English teacher, who speaks Italian and French.  This rounded background provides the perfect combination of qualities for his chosen career.  He has a flair for communicating, and is able to elicit natural and fluent performances from his cast.

Thomas has directed productions for the Edinburgh Studio Opera and Magnetic Opera, and has showcased work at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe since 2012, Alongside this he has gained professional experience including a two month ‘observership’ with the Scottish Opera, and has ambitions to write and produce his own material.

How the Award Helped

Thomas’ Award enabled him to study a course in Opera Directing with Rudolfo Tomasi at the Accedemia Europea in Florence.

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The support of the Dewar Arts Award allowed me to complete the necessary study to take my career to the next level. I have returned from it a more confident and prepared professional.

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