2005 Awardee: Ross Dickson

I worked with some of the best teachers at college and I was hugely influenced by many of them.

Biography

Ross is Dumbarton’s own ‘Billy Elliott’. He started dancing at the age of eight and quickly showed talent.

Natural-born talent, combined with dedication and commitment to his craft, helped Ross become a Senior Associate of the Scottish Ballet and go on to win most of the major Scottish prizes in tap and modern dance. In 2005 he became Scottish Tap and Modern Champion.

Ross is now studying musical theatre at the Doreen Bird College in Sidcup, Kent. As his dance teacher writes, “being a boy in the West of Scotland who wants to dance brings many challenges.” Facing these challenges has given Ross the determination and single-mindedness he needs in order to make a successful career in musical theatre.

How the Award Helped

Ross received a Dewar Arts Award towards his studies at the Bird College in Kent.

Since the Award

After a difficult start at college, Ross put his head down and worked extra hard to improve. He was cast in two numbers in the end of year show, roles which are usually reserved for second and third year students, which, he said, gave his confidence a massive boost.

By the second year he joined the Bird Theatre Company on its tour to Portugal and in year three was cast in one of the lead roles of the third-year musical. Before Ross graduated he was offered a place on a cruise ship as a dancer.

When back in the UK, Ross joins in classes at Scottish Ballet and does the rounds of auditions. Ross is now living his dream.

I worked with some of the best teachers at college and I was hugely influenced by many of them.

2005 Awardee: Judith Williams

Thank you for supporting my studies at the Royal Academy of Music... [and] more than that, for validating my dreams

Biography

Judith already had an impressive array of TV credits to her name, including Taggart, Heartbeat, River City and the Channel 4 comedy success ‘The Book Group’ – winner of a BAFTA Scotland Award – when she was nominated for an Award.  Her professional theatre life began with Raindog and her film debut was in Peter Mullan’s award-winning Orphans.

From Glasgow, Judith is described as “a rare and wonderful talent”. A leading drama tutor wrote of her that  “there is no question that Judith has the vocal and dramatic ability to succeed professionally. Her vocal instrument is ‘big’ and she has the ability to engage emotionally with her material.”

Judith writes of her experience at the Royal Academy of Music that “the opportunity to be educated at one of Europe’s leading conservatoires has been immense, a really vital part of my development.”

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award funded Judith through the prestigious postgraduate performance diploma in musical theatre at the Royal Academy of Music.

Since the Award

Judith graduated with Distinction, winning a coveted Dip. RAM for outstanding final performance.  Since graduating, Judith has appeared in the lead role in Grant Olding’s musical, Three Sides, at the Shaw Theatre, London, filmed the second series of Hightimes and has been working at the Citizens Theatre in James and the Giant Peach, The Bevellers and Wee Fairy Stories.  Shortly she starts touring Scotland with Dundee Rep’s Sunshine on Leith.

Thank you for supporting my studies at the Royal Academy of Music... [and] more than that, for validating my dreams

2005 Awardee: Hannah Mairi

I [would like to thank] the trustees for the wonderful opportunity they gave me in funding my training at The Sylvia Young Theatre School.

Biography

Despite her young age, Hannah is already an experienced stage performer. In her first year at the Sylvia Young Theatre School, she successfully auditioned for a part in the critically-acclaimed musical ‘Billy Elliot, The Musical’, London.  She performed in the first three runs, starting as one of the ballet girls and progressing to a solo part.  As a member of the cast, Hannah made regular appearances on stage and TV.

In 2005, Hannah sang with Il Divo at the Royal Variety Show and was a soloist at both a charity gala and at a Christmas Show in London.  In 2006 she performed the role of Peter Pan in a charity concert in front of Princess Anne.

When Hannah started at Sylvia Young’s she was a strong dancer, but as yet untrained in singing and drama.  In her third year she won awards for achievement in both singing and expressive arts and drama.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award is funding Hannah for four years at the Sylvia Young Theatre school.

Since the Award

In her final year at Sylvia Young’s, Hannah managed to cope with a number of professional engagements as well as gaining 9 A Grade GCSE’s. Hannah successfully auditioned for the Laine Theatre Arts where she continues her studies in musical theatre.

I [would like to thank] the trustees for the wonderful opportunity they gave me in funding my training at The Sylvia Young Theatre School.

2002 Awardee: Louise Stewart

I can tell everyone here in New York that I am a Scottish Actress. That's special. That's really special. I would like to thank everyone involved in helping me and giving me the honour of being one of the first recipients of this award

Biography

From Stepps, near Glasgow, Louise was described as “a hell of a voice” by one of UK’s leading casting directors. She is one of the first recipients of a Dewar Arts Award.

A graduate of the Knightswood School’s musical theatre course, Louise was their first student to gain a place at Broadway’s number one Performing Arts college, the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York (better known as the school of “the kids from Fame” television series).

Not only that, but she also won a scholarship beating off fierce competition from thousands of American hopefuls.

Louise writes: “Training at the AMDA has been a fabulous tool for preparing me to enter the theatre world….. I learned so much in my time there and gained the support and respect of many of my teachers.”

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award helped fund Louise for two years at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York.

Since the Award

After successfully graduating from AMDA, Louise writes, “training at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy has been a fabulous tool for preparing me to enter the theatre world of New York.” She continues to seek work in New York and is currently cast in one of the lead roles in an Off-Broadway musical starting in January 2006.

I can tell everyone here in New York that I am a Scottish Actress. That's special. That's really special. I would like to thank everyone involved in helping me and giving me the honour of being one of the first recipients of this award