2015 Awardee: Daniel Griffin

"I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Dewar Awards, as without your financial support my studies in New York City would not have been possible."

YEAR OF AWARD: 2015
AGE AT AWARD: 23
ARTFORMS: ,
 
EMAIL:dan.griffin1991@gmail.com
 

Biography

Born in Stirling, Daniel has always dreamed of becoming a professional musician. At 8 years old he began learning both piano and bass guitar, and went on to play in bands as well as singing with many choirs. After leaving high school he studied piano at Stevenson College Edinburgh, achieving an ABRSM Grade 8 with distinction. In 2011 he then joined the BMus (Hons) course at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and graduated with a First Class Honours.

During his time at RCS, Daniel had an opportunity to undertake an apprenticeship with the BBC SSO.  He joined them for their 2014 Tour of India and played concerts in Chennai, Delhi and Mumbai. Daniel now plays with the BBC SSO as a frequent freelancer and in August 2015 was involved in their four Proms concerts in the Royal Albert Hall.

Daniel’s passion is for the double bass.  Through his determination and hard work he was accepted to study a Master of Music at the internationally renowned Manhattan School of Music in New York, with tuition from Tim Cobb, Principal Double Bass of the New York Philharmonic.

How the Award Helped

Although Daniel was offered a generous scholarship from the Manhattan School of Music, he was unable to cover the additional costs associated with accepting his masters place.  Daniel’s Dewar Award provided him with the additional funds necessary to access this opportunity, and to fully benefit from his placement at this prestigious institution.

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"I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Dewar Awards, as without your financial support my studies in New York City would not have been possible."

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2015 Awardee: Christopher Roberts

"I can't thank Dewar Arts Awards enough for the assistance, I feel it came at the most crucial of times in my early career."

YEAR OF AWARD: 2015
AGE AT AWARD: 18
ARTFORMS: , ,
 
EMAIL:chrisrobertstpt@gmail.com
 

Biography

Born in Edinburgh, trumpeter and vocalist Christopher Roberts showed prodigious talent from a very young age, quickly developing a full register, flexibility and clear articulation.  He began playing the trumpet from the age of 7, and from the age of 15 held the position of Principal trumpet in the Edinburgh Youth Orchestra.

In 2007, Christopher accepted a full scholarship place at St. Mary’s Music School where he studied with Bede Williams and John Kenny. During this time, he performed regularly, gaining professional experience with orchestras and ensembles in the UK and abroad. In 2014 he was a member of the KLANGSPUREN International Ensemble Modern Akademie where he studied with Sava Stoianov, and he has also studied with John Wallace, Tom Poulson and Mark O’Keeffe.

Making his concerto debut at the age of 15, Christopher has subsequently appeared as a soloist throughout the United Kingdom playing with the Milne-Graden Chamber Orchestra, Heisenberg Ensemble and with the world renowned Choristers of St. Mary’s Cathedral.

As a founding member of Carnyx Youth Brass, Christopher has been involved in many projects for ensemble, premiering new works for brass and featuring as the principal trumpet on the CD ‘Storm Chaser’. Christopher has been a major prize winner at festivals in Edinburgh and Glasgow.

While a student at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Christopher was conductor in residence with Brass Sounds Inverclyde. During this time, he proudly represented Scotland with SCOKENDIA, featuring as part of the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games. He has taken part in numerous impressive masterclasses, as well as studying with Professor Urban Agnas and Professor Friedemann Immer at the Hochschule für Musik und Tanz, Köln.

How the Award Helped

Christopher received an award to help him to continue to flourish in his bachelor degree studies at the Hochschule für Musik und Tanz, Köln.

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"I can't thank Dewar Arts Awards enough for the assistance, I feel it came at the most crucial of times in my early career."

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2015 Awardee: Tamara Hardy

"It’s truly amazing to have come so far, and I would like to thank the Dewar Arts Awards for helping me to go even further."

YEAR OF AWARD: 2015
AGE AT AWARD: 21
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

An intelligent and thoughtful musician, Tamara Hardy (Tam) is a double bass player described by her tutor as ‘one of the most proactive, innovative and original thinking students I have ever come across’.

Born and raised in the Highlands, Tam started playing double bass in primary school, when she was just 11. Less than a year later she was accepted into the Highland Regional Youth Orchestra, and by the age of 15, her passion for the instrument led her to audition for the Junior Academy at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. She successfully gained a place and studied there for three years.

In 2011, Tam began the undergraduate programme at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Her four years in Glasgow offered Tam many opportunities including lessons and masterclasses with world renowned players.  She participated in apprenticeship schemes and collaborations with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and Scottish Opera.

Tam graduated with a Bachelor of Music with Honours , and was awarded 1st prize in the John McInulty Prizes for Orchestral String Playing.

How the Award Helped

In 2015, Tam went on to gain a place on the Masters of Music course at the Royal Academy of Music. Her Dewar Arts Award enabled her to accept her place, and to fully benefit from the opportunity to realise her potential.

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"It’s truly amazing to have come so far, and I would like to thank the Dewar Arts Awards for helping me to go even further."

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2015 Awardee: Kieran Lambie

This award benefits me because it will allow me to continue gaining experience as an instrumental teacher...and will help me further enhance my performing experience.

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

Biography

Kieran Lambie is an outstanding classical musician, whose ambition is to play and teach clarinet professionally. His memorable solo performances of a demanding repertoire have garnered acclaim, and his passion for teaching is matched by his focus and determination.

Kieran is patient, diligent, and ambitious.  He has played in numerous musical ensembles, gained a distinction in his Grade 8 musical examinations and achieved a BA in Music Performance with a Distinction from Edinburgh College.

He intends to develop his practice through teaching and performing a range of styles of music, and has a promising future as a professional musician.

How the Award Helped

Kieran’s award enabled him to continue his professional development, through instrumental lessons and by undertaking two Trinity College qualifications: an ATCL in Instrumental Teaching and an LTCL in Performance.

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This award benefits me because it will allow me to continue gaining experience as an instrumental teacher...and will help me further enhance my performing experience.

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2014 Awardee: Juliet Montgomery

The generous support of the Dewar Arts Awards has allowed my aspirations of postgraduate study to become a reality! Thank you.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2014
AGE AT AWARD: 22
ARTFORMS: , ,
 
 
 

Biography

Juliet is a soprano with a voice of distinctive quality.  Born in Stirling, she grew up in a musical environment; her mother is a freelance musician who plays and teaches violin and viola.  Juliet attended Stageworx Stage School for six years before beginning tuition in classical singing.  She then went on to study at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester.

During her time as an undergraduate student she proved herself to be “an intelligent, musical singer of promise and a joy to teach”.  On graduating with a First Class Bachelor of Music (Honours), she was offered a coveted place for postgraduate study, reserved for only those students with the greatest talent and potential.

Juliet has played key roles in numerous operatic productions and has performed as a recitalist in a wide variety of venues including the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Halifax Minster and the Bridgewater Hall.  She has also performed solo for the prestigious Bulava Chorus, at the Notre Dame in Paris and the Cathedral of Resurrection in Kiev.

How the Award Helped

Juliet’s Award enabled her to benefit from postgraduate study at the RNCM.

She first completed a postgraduate diploma, and then received a further award to supporto continue her studies on the Masters of Music in Performance course. This course is designed to provide advanced training in solo performance.  As well as world-class one to one vocal tuition and performance opportunities, the course includes regular coaching sessions, language classes, repertoire classes, movement classes, Alexander Technique, acting technique and audition skills classes, equipping Juliet with the knowledge and experience needed to become a professional opera singer.

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The generous support of the Dewar Arts Awards has allowed my aspirations of postgraduate study to become a reality! Thank you.

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2014 Awardee: Graham McCusker

"Without the Dewar Award I would not have been able to afford to continue my training as an aspiring classical singer"

YEAR OF AWARD: 2014
AGE AT AWARD: 24
ARTFORMS: , ,
 
EMAIL:graham.mccusker@hotmail.com
TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/biffyjust

Biography

Born in Glasgow to a musical family (his father an opera singer and his mother a singing teacher), Graham grew up in Paisley and began singing at the age of five in the Paisley Abbey Choir.  During his 16 years as a chorister he became Head Boy (age 9) and Choral Scholar (age 15).

As a treble, Graham sang with the Scottish Opera and the RSAMD (now the RCS). He also learned piano and continued his studies at the Junior RSAMD before gaining a place at the Douglas Academy Music School.  During this time he developed his performance skills by singing with a number of choirs, including the National Youth Chamber Choir of Scotland, the RSNO Chorus and the RSAMD Chamber Choir.

Graham went on to tutor at the Renfrewshire Schools Senior Choir and then to study at the Royal Northern College of Music. He has developed a strong reputation as a performer, both solo and ensemble, and has sung at events as diverse as the proms at the Royal Albert Hall and a Radio 2 live session for Boy George and Clean Bandit (with the BBC Philharmonic).

Graham’s ambition is to pursue a career as a classical soloist.

How the Award Helped

Graham received a Dewar Award to fund a Postgraduate Diploma in Solo Performance at the RNCM, and a further award for a masters degree, providing the perfect next step towards achieving his ambitions.

Since the Award

Graham attained his undergraduate degree at the Royal Northern College of Music. In his second year he was chosen as one of the apostles for performances and a recording of Elgar’s The Apostles. Performances included concerts at the Bridgewater Hall and a prom at the Royal Albert Hall. The CD gained the Gramophone Recording of the Year, amongst other awards, and No. 4 in the classical charts.

Highlights as a soloist include performing Schubert’s Mass in G, Bach’s B Minor Mass, Handel’s Messiah, Beethoven’s no. 9th symphony, Brahms’ German Requiem, Rossini’s Petite Messe Solennelle. Graham regularly sings with the BBC Daily Service Singers on Radio 4 and is a Lay Clerk at Manchester Cathedral.

On the opera stage, Graham was a young artist with Buxton Opera Festival for two years. Roles for the RNCM include Bogdanovich in The Merry Widow and Abraham Kaplan in Street Scene. He went on to be accepted on the chorus list with Scottish Opera.

In his final year of Masters at the RNCM Graham studied with Nick Powell. A composer in his spare time, he has written personal material as well as collaborating professionally. He acted as a composer and music director for the BBC & HBO series ‘His Dark Materials’.  He also writes for Oxford University Press and MacMillan Publishers.

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"Without the Dewar Award I would not have been able to afford to continue my training as an aspiring classical singer"

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2014 Awardee: Clara Hyder

I am extremely grateful to the Dewar Awards for giving me the financial assistance to develop into the best musician I can be. I am so excited for all that the next four years will bring. Thank you.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2014
AGE AT AWARD: 19
ARTFORMS: , ,
WEBSITE:https://www.clarahyder.co.uk/
EMAIL:swan.34@hotmail.co.uk
 

Biography

Clara took up the trumpet aged 7 and moved to St Mary’s Music School as a chorister when she was 9. During her time there she went on tour, recorded CDs and became head chorister in her final year.  At 14 she gained a place as an instrumentalist at the school.  Alongside her studies she took part in the school orchestra, chamber groups and brass ensemble, won a number of prizes and became Head Girl.

Not only has Clara achieved an extremely high level of technical and expressive competence, she has also been an active leader of numerous projects.  She takes great joy in sharing music with the community, and has developed work with special needs groups as well as forming links with writers, poets, artists and fellow musicians.

Clara has performed at the Edinburgh International Book festival and with The New Theatre Company on the Isle of Man.

As well as being an outstanding trumpet player, Clara is also a fine harpist, singer, and gifted actress. She has earned the distinction of being the first person ever to be accepted as a joint 1st study trumpeter and classical harpist at one of the world’s leading music colleges, the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

How the Award Helped

Clara’s Award will support her in her studies at the Guildhall School, where she intends to develop the skills to accomplish her dreams as a musician as well as sharing her passion for music with others.

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I am extremely grateful to the Dewar Awards for giving me the financial assistance to develop into the best musician I can be. I am so excited for all that the next four years will bring. Thank you.

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2014 Awardee: Adam Crighton

If it wasn't for the extremely generous support of the trust I would not be able to be where I am, getting the best possible training for career I wish to have.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2014
AGE AT AWARD: 18
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Adam is a highly talented and hard working young trombonist.

Growing up in Aberdeen, Adam learned to play the trombone through the council’s music education scheme and spent several years playing with bands and ensembles.  In 2011 he moved to Edinburgh to study at St Mary’s Music School, where he proved himself to be a prodigious talent.  His aptitude for intonation, rhythmic integrity and tonal blend ensured he stood out as a performer. Excellent as a soloist and within an ensemble, Adam undertook a number of engagements outside of school where he was already able to fit into a professional section.

Alongside his trombone studies at St Mary’s, Adam also passed his grade 8 piano.  He won the brass section of the Aberdeen Music Festival in 2013 and was a finalist in the St Mary’s School Director’s Recital Prize in 2014.  Highly motivated, Adam enjoys performing a wide variety of music and aspires to become a professional trombonist.

In 2014, Adam gained a place to study at the prestigious Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London.  This had been a dream of his since he had first visited the school aged 12.  The BMus Classical Trombone course offered the perfect opportunity to advance his skills to the next level, and to help him to achieve his ambitions.

How the Award Helped

Adam received a Dewar Award to support his studies at the Guilhall School of Music and Drama.

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If it wasn't for the extremely generous support of the trust I would not be able to be where I am, getting the best possible training for career I wish to have.

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2014 Awardee: Christos Stylianides

Receiving the award means an incredible amount to me. Without it I would have struggled tremendously to finance myself during my studies here in Birmingham.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2014
AGE AT AWARD: 17
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Hailing from Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, Christos began playing trumpet aged 10.  He developed a keen interest in jazz from an early age and performed with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra of Scotland, as well as numerous regional and community big bands in and around Glasgow.

Christos has taken part in the Young Scottish Jazz Competition twice, and in 2012 was runner up in the Under 17s category. In 2014 he gained a place to study on the BMus (Hons) in Jazz at the Birmingham Conservatoire.

Since Christos enjoys a variety of music alongside jazz, he aspires to become a session musician and work on a range of projects.

How the Award Helped

Christos received an award to help finance his studies at the Birmingham Conservatoire.

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Receiving the award means an incredible amount to me. Without it I would have struggled tremendously to finance myself during my studies here in Birmingham.

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2014 Awardee: Drishti Bundhoo

The Dewar Arts Awards has created a wealth of opportunities for me as a young singer and for this I thank you very much. It is an honour and privilege to be supported by this distinguished trust.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2014
AGE AT AWARD: 22
ARTFORMS: , , ,
 
 
TWITTER: http://www.twitter.com/drishtibundhoo

Biography

Drishti Bundhoo is a hard-working and passionate musician whose aim is to connect emotionally to the music she performs and to find her individual voice.

Born in Crosshouse, East Ayrshire, Drishti was brought up in a musical household in Kilmarnock.  Her Mauritius-born mother studied Indian classical music, and has performed and taught in Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Drishti’s singing talent was prominent from a very early age. She trained at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland with a scholarship to complete her BMus (Hons) in 2014, and studied Spanish classical music for six months in Andalusia.

An engaging performer, Drishti has given solo recitals around the UK, Spain, India and Germany. Most recent performances have included engagements with Indian composer AR Rahman and the BBCSSO at Celtic Connections in 2014, performance for the UK WW1 Centenary commemoration service at Glasgow Cathedral and solo performances at the Glasgow  2014 Commonwealth Games.

How the Award Helped

Drishti’s award has allowed her to study a Masters at the Royal Academy of Music in London, where she has performed the role of Susanna in Mozart’s opera Le Nozze de Figaro and the role of Tina in Jonathan Dove’s opera Flight.

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The Dewar Arts Awards has created a wealth of opportunities for me as a young singer and for this I thank you very much. It is an honour and privilege to be supported by this distinguished trust.

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