2022 Awardee: Kira Charleton

Kira Charleton

“Receiving an award from the Dewar Trust has honestly been life changing. It has allowed me to complete my final year of Master’s at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama whilst preparing for the next step in my journey. They have allowed a small town girl to keep working towards her big dreams of changing lives through music.”

YEAR OF AWARD: 2022
AGE AT AWARD: 24
ARTFORMS: , , ,
WEBSITE:https://www.facebook.com/kiraalexanderx
 
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/kiraalexander_

Biography

Kira Charleton is a soprano singer from Ayrshire, who possesses a fresh sounding voice and the ability to sing both classical music and music theatre. Her talent and hard work earned her a place at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, from where she graduated with a 1st Class Honours Degree in 2021. During her undergraduate studies, Kira was the only female candidate selected to compete and represent the college in the highly regarded, Junior Kathleen Ferrier competition. Following this, she partook in many performances, with the main highlights being selected as a finalist for the E A Redman competition and playing the Mezzo-Soprano role in the Edward Barnes opera “The Hiding Tree”.

Kira regards herself as an enthusiast who thrives in a challenge and when collaborating as part of an ensemble or company. In 2019, she worked alongside choral master, Steven Harris and conductor, Carlo Rizzi as part of RWCMD’s 70th Anniversary Opera Gala celebration. Upon moving to Cardiff, Kira also became a member of the BBC National Chorus of Wales as a choral Scholar. This provided her with a wealth of performance opportunities, such as regularly appearing live on BBC Radio Three and in televised performances as part of the London Proms in the Royal Albert Hall.

Kira is fiercely dedicated to music and believes that her life will continue to be moulded around music. She is a determined individual who has faced the odds and is aware of the hard work required to be successful. Kira believes that to be a singer is to understand the art of storytelling and she has the commitment and abilities to achieve her goals.

Kira has generously received support to study from a Peter and Janet Swinburn Scholarship, a Girdlers’ Charitable Trust Award, and the Dewar Arts Award. In 2021, Kira won the Eileen Prize Price for lieder singing and the Mabel Linwood Prize.

In May 2022, Kira played the Dutchess of Montalbano, in Lennox Berkeley’s comic opera, A Dinner Engagement. As well as this, she took part in the chorus of RWCMD’s spring production of The Marriage of Figaro in the Sherman Theatre, Cardiff. Kira was also awarded a bursary to perform in the Welsh National Youth Opera’s production of Cheryomushki in October 2022.

How the Award Helped

Kira’s Dewar Arts Award has enabled her to further her studies at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, where she is pursuing a MMus degree in Performance.

Back
Kira Charleton

“Receiving an award from the Dewar Trust has honestly been life changing. It has allowed me to complete my final year of Master’s at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama whilst preparing for the next step in my journey. They have allowed a small town girl to keep working towards her big dreams of changing lives through music.”

Back

2020 Awardee: Rosie Dignan

rosie dignan

"Coming from a low income family, I didn’t think I’d have the chance to attend any kind of training, but thanks to funding from [the Dewar Arts Awards] I’ve been able to develop my skills immensely and have been accepted to one of my dream schools."

YEAR OF AWARD: 2020
AGE AT AWARD: 17
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Born and raised in Dundee, Rosie was surrounded by dancers, artists, and performers as a child. She soon became part of the Scottish Dance Theatre’s junior company, with whom she performed at many venues around Scotland. This gave her plenty of early experience as well as the chance to work with choreographers such as Botis Seva and Joan Cleville.

Rosie has been involved in Amateur Dramatics since the age of 8, and has held lead roles in many performances including Godspell, The Wiz, and 42nd Street. She has also been a part of Dundee Schools Music Theatre since her second year at school.

Throughout her early teens, Rosie attended regular youth theatre sessions in Dundee, which were the highlight of her week, before being accepted into level 1 at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland’s Junior School of Musical Theatre during her sixth year of school.

Upon completion of her second year at RCS Juniors, she was hand-picked by Miss Laine at Laine Theatre Arts to study musical theatre, being one of the first people accepted onto the course.

How the Award Helped

Rosie was able to further her musical theatre studies at Laine Theatre Arts thanks to her Dewar Arts Award.

Back
rosie dignan

"Coming from a low income family, I didn’t think I’d have the chance to attend any kind of training, but thanks to funding from [the Dewar Arts Awards] I’ve been able to develop my skills immensely and have been accepted to one of my dream schools."

Back

2019 Awardee: Kirsty Craig

"I am truly grateful to the Dewar Arts Awards for their tremendous generosity. Their belief and support has enabled me to take the next step in my career and fulfil my potential at a prestigious training establishment. From the bottom of my heart, thank you."

YEAR OF AWARD: 2019
AGE AT AWARD: 20
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Kirsty Craig grew up in Glasgow and is a passionate dancer with strong determination.

Kirsty began attending The Studio in the West End of Glasgow in 2007 and continued through to her Award in 2019. During this time, Kirsty danced lead roles and achieved exceptional marks in her examinations, up to and including the Advanced 2 vocational Cecchetti Classical Ballet exam. She also worked towards her teaching Diploma in Dance Education (accredited by the ISTD).

From 2016 to 2019, Kirsty attended Dance Studio Scotland at Anniesland College and achieved an A grade in her HND Dance Artists course. Her versatility and skillset were broadened, including jazz, tap, contemporary and choreography skills. She also began tuition in singing and acting, enabling her to be a multi-faceted performer in preparation for auditions.

Alongside her many dancing commitments, Kirsty sustained a part-time job in retail to help her save money. A keen student, Kirsty was Head Girl at school and achieved 5 As in her Highers. She has also taken part in volunteering, completed both the Duke of Edinburgh Award and the Youth Philanthropy Initiative, and raised thousands of pounds for charity.

In Spring of 2019, Kirsty successfully auditioned for a competitive BA (Hons) Professional Dance and Musical Theatre course at Bird College in London. The panel (including the Principal and Artistic Director) were so impressed, she was offered a place on the day, without waiting the customary three-week period to hear an outcome.

Bird College offers excellent performance opportunities, world class facilities and leading industry professionals who equip their students with a plethora of skills and connections with the industry. Through studying at Bird College, Kirsty aims to achieve her dream of becoming a professional performer.

How the Award Helped

Due to the intense financial demands of studying in London, Kirsty applied for grants to alleviate the pressure. Without the help of the Dewar Arts Award and her teachers in Scotland, Kirsty says she would not have been able to train at her dream college.

Back

"I am truly grateful to the Dewar Arts Awards for their tremendous generosity. Their belief and support has enabled me to take the next step in my career and fulfil my potential at a prestigious training establishment. From the bottom of my heart, thank you."

Back

2019 Awardee: Karah Pollock

"The Dewar Award has afforded Karah the opportunity to pursue her dream, an opportunity that would not otherwise have been available to her"

YEAR OF AWARD: 2019
AGE AT AWARD: 17
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Born in Glasgow in 2002, Karah started her dance career in competitive freestyle at the tender age of three.   Showing a natural flair and talent from the outset, Karah won every major title she set her sights on throughout an impressive ten-year career.  She was scouted to participate in a Channel 4 documentary following her dance lifestyle.

Karah retired from competitive freestyle to pursue a dance education at the prestigious Dance School of Scotland, and after a successful audition was one of only nine students selected from thousands of auditionees to attend.

While at the Dance School of Scotland, Karah gained Adv 1 Ballet and Adv 1 Modern with Distinction.  She also earned the opportunity to tour Scotland with Scottish Ballet and was the youngest inductee of their Youth Exchange Programme touring New York and performing in the Joyce Theatre.

Karah then auditioned for the best Dance and Musical Theatre Colleges in the UK and was accepted for both Laine Theatre arts and the Urdang Academy.

How the Award Helped

Karah decided to continue her technical training at the Urdang Academy. She received a Dewar Award to support her studies on the BA (Hons) course in Musical Theatre and Dance.

Back

"The Dewar Award has afforded Karah the opportunity to pursue her dream, an opportunity that would not otherwise have been available to her"

Back

2019 Awardee: Jennifer Bruce

"Receiving this award has allowed me to study at my dream school Bird College...This truly does mean the world to me"

YEAR OF AWARD: 2019
AGE AT AWARD: 19
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Jennifer became interested in the performing arts from a young age and began dance lessons when she was 5.  While at high school, she sought out additional opportunities to build her dance/performance skill set, and in 2014 successfully auditioned for the Scottish Ballet Youth Exchange with Singapore School of the Arts.

Continuing to improve her skills, Jennifer gained a place in the National Youth Dance Company of Scotland. This  allowed her to find her own artistry and confidence with improvisation, as well as performing internationally. Jennifer performed in India for the International Dance Bridges Festival, Australia with Yellowwheel Dance Company, and Groupe Grenade in Marseille, France.

Jennifer also expressed an interest in musical theatre, and in 2013 she had chance to perform as part of the Tom Daniels Musicals ensemble in Scotland’s Young Variety Show, followed by their annual musical production and Christmas show. She continued with singing lessons and annual showcases.

In June 2019, Jennifer completed her HND Dance Artists from Glasgow Clyde College. She went on to gain a place on the BA (Hons) in Professional Dance and Musical Theatre at Bird College, one of the top schools in the UK to study the performing arts. This brought her another step closer to her dream of being a professional performer.

Jennifer loves the freedom of expression and escapism that performance provides, allowing her ‘to be anyone, anywhere at any time’ and share this with an audience.

How the Award Helped

Jennifer received a Dewar Arts Award to support her studies at Bird College, as well as helping her to buy necessary equipment including character shoes for singing and musical theatre classes, pointe shoes for ballet, and additional uniform and study materials.

Back

"Receiving this award has allowed me to study at my dream school Bird College...This truly does mean the world to me"

Back

2018 Awardee: Leona Craig

"I very much appreciate the financial support being given to me from The Dewar Award in order to achieve my dream. Thank you."

YEAR OF AWARD: 2018
AGE AT AWARD: 19
ARTFORMS:
 
 
 

Biography

Leona is an exceptionally talented actor, singer-songwriter and musician who plays several instruments to an excellent standard including piano, guitar, banjo and ukulele.

From the age of 15 to17, Leona attended The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland’s (RCS) Junior Musical Theatre whilst at school. Here she undertook intensive Musical Theatre training and grew as a performer in a supportive environment. This nurtured her ambition and determination for her future career.

Leona was also a member of Perth Youth Theatre and Ad-Lib Theatre Arts, where she explored a range of acting techniques.  This led to her successfully auditioning for the role of Maria in ‘The Sound of Music’ and Fantine in ‘Les Miserables’. In 2017 she was successful in securing a place as a member of Scottish Youth Theatre’s (SYT) first National Ensemble. Here she artistically evolved whilst working with influential industry professionals and pushing creative boundaries.

Following her ensemble experience, Leona secured a job with The Family Storytime Company at SYT. This year-long position involved developing, writing, composing and producing a story to engaged a young audience in a positive learning environment. Leona discovered a passion for passing on her knowledge of drama, dance and music, whilst sparking imagination and igniting an excitement to learn.

Leona has achived ABRSM Grade 8 Piano and ABRSM Grade 8 Singing with Merit. Her dedication to developing her skills earned her a place at the prestigious Mountview Theatre School, London, to study on the BA Actor/Musician Course.

How the Award Helped

Leona’s Award enabled her to accept her place to study at the Mountview Theatre School in London.

Back

"I very much appreciate the financial support being given to me from The Dewar Award in order to achieve my dream. Thank you."

Back

2016 Awardee: Isabel (Izzy) Stott

"Now that I have received funding to study, I really feel like my life will completely change for the better. I cannot thank you enough. This is not just money in the bank - this is a gateway to a whole new world of opportunity."

YEAR OF AWARD: 2016
AGE AT AWARD: 22
ARTFORMS: , ,
WEBSITE:https://izzystott.wordpress.com/
EMAIL:izzystott@googlemail.com
TWITTER: https://www.twitter.com/IsabelStott

Biography

Izzy Stott is a gifted, ambitious and skilful theatre performer. Having trained in contemporary and physical theatre, Izzy was inpired to create performance that is challenging both physically and intellectually, as well as being innovative and honest.

Growing up in a Stirlingshire village, Izzy studied a Diploma in Physical Theatre Practice at Fife College.  She excelled in clown, mask, physical storytelling and devised theatre. From there, she was offered a chance to study on a prestigious, one of a kind physical theatre course at Ecole Philippe Gaulier in France.

Through her ongoing theatre practice, Izzy hopes to communicate ideas with audiences, start social discussions and make people think about the world that surrounds them. She sees art as a beautiful way to connect people and expose issues, acting as a mirror to society in all its beauty and hardships. She believes that it is essential for human understanding, fuelling her dedication to her artistic practice.

In the future. Izzy hopes to set up a theatre company or arts collective that deals with social issues, with the aim to make people’s lives better through performance and art.

How the Award Helped

Izzy’s Award enabled her to study in France under the tutelage of leading physical theatre practitioner Philippe Gaulier.

Back

"Now that I have received funding to study, I really feel like my life will completely change for the better. I cannot thank you enough. This is not just money in the bank - this is a gateway to a whole new world of opportunity."

Back

2016 Awardee: Robyn Casey

"Without the great help from Dewar Arts Awards I would not have the immense pleasure of being able to pursue this course. When I am at the pinnacle of my career I will be proud to be able to say that Dewar Arts Awards helped me get there.”

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

Biography

Hailing from Alexandria, Robyn began studying jazz, tap and ballet dancing at just two years of age. Her dream became to perform in one of her favourite musical theatre shows in the West End.

At the age of 17, Robyn joined Anniesland College to study an HND in Dance. This opened her eyes to other styles of dance as well as choreography.  She went on to audition for the BA Hons in Theatre Dance at London Studio Centre, and was successful in gaining a place.

In order to fundraise for her studies, Robyn taught regular classes in jazz and contemporary dance whilst in Glasgow.  She then supported herself through her first year by working in a local pub. This proved challenging, as she would finish college, work until 2am and then be up at 6:30am for her first class the next day.  The second year was set to be even more physically demanding, and so Robyn applied to the Dewar Arts Awards for financial assistance.

How the Award Helped

Robyn’s Dewar Award enabled her to continue her studies without financial pressure, allowing her to fully apply herself to achieving her ambitions.

Back

"Without the great help from Dewar Arts Awards I would not have the immense pleasure of being able to pursue this course. When I am at the pinnacle of my career I will be proud to be able to say that Dewar Arts Awards helped me get there.”

Back

2015 Awardee: Ryan Hunter

The Award has liberated me and allowed me to study at the most prestigious drama school in the world. Thank you.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2015
AGE AT AWARD: 19
ARTFORMS: , ,
 
 
 

Biography

Growing up on the Southside of Glasgow, Ryan Hunter is the youngest of five siblings, and the first to become an actor rather than a musician.

Ryan took music lessons at St Roch’s Secondary School in Royston, where he played the fiddle, drums and bodhran.  He performed across Scotland, England and Ireland with the school’s Ceili band, before taking to the stage with the PACE Youth Theatre in Paisley. From there he was accepted into the Musical Theatre Course at the Dance School of Scotland in Knightswood.

During his time at Knightswood, Ryan performed at the Citizens Theatre to much acclaim.  In his second year he gained a role in the comedic film ‘What We Did On Our Holiday’, acting alongside David Tennant, Rosamund Pike and Billy Connolly.

On completion of the course, Ryan stayed in Glasgow and busked beside the Donald Dewar statue on Sauchiehall Street while auditioning for roles.  He gained a place in a touring production with Hopscotch Theatre Company, which he completed whilse auditioning for drama schools.

After a gruelling four-round audition process for RADA, Ryan was one of just 28 students out of 4,000 applicants who gained a coveted place.  This offered an exceptional opportunity to study his craft at a most prestigious school.

Intelligent and well read, Ryan takes a serious and committed interest in his work as an actor. He has charisma on stage and screen, and looks set to be an excellent ambassador for Scottish arts in his future career.

How the Award Helped

Ryan’s Award enabled him to accept his hard-won place to study at RADA.

Back

The Award has liberated me and allowed me to study at the most prestigious drama school in the world. Thank you.

Back

2014 Awardee: Danielle Donnelly

Singing, dancing and acting are my passions and I will strive to be the very best I can.

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

Biography

A talented actress, dancer and vocalist, Danielle has developed her abilities from a very young age.  Beginning her studies in dance at 3 years old and singing since primary school, Danielle applied herself throughout her upbringing in Scotland.  She went on to study musical theatre in Glasgow and gained an A-grade HNC and HND.

In 2014 she gained a Dance and Drama Award to study at the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts in London.  This offered Danielle her dream opportunity to pursue her ambitions to perform in the West End.

How the Award Helped

Danielle’s award enabled her to accept her place to study at Italia Conti, and continue to develop her skills and aspirations in musical theatre.

Back

Singing, dancing and acting are my passions and I will strive to be the very best I can.

Back