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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2007 Awardee: Maureen McMullan

I was absolutely delighted to receive the news of the award.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2007
AGE AT AWARD: 27
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Brought up in Coatbridge, Maureen studied voice and piano from the age of 12. She went on to study music at Strathclyde University, gaining a first class degree in Applied Music, winning the ‘Sir Alexander Stone Prize for Excellence in Performance’ for her final recital.

Maureen has trained in a range of styles, from classical, musical theatre, jazz and contemporary. In 2007 she performed at the 41st Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, where she beat off competition from thousands of singers worldwide to compete in the semi-final of the Shure Vocal competition. She was the only UK singer to reach the final eight.

Acclaimed Scottish jazz musician, Tommy Smith, describes Maureen as a ‘phenomenal singer … [whose] … voice embraces jazz, blues, gospel, and soul and transmits emotions like few other singers.’ As a singer/songwriter and backing vocalist, Maureen has performed at many major Scottish music festivals, including the Edinburgh ‘Fringe’, Celtic Connections and the Glasgow Jazz Festival, and has worked with some of Britain’s most influential contemporary musicians. In 2008 she joined the Scottish Jazz Orchestra as the singer on their Jazz Toons tour.

After working hard as a full-time professional singer for some years, Maureen has a strong desire to expand her knowledge of music and develop her creativity as a singer/songwriter. She has been awarded a partial scholarship to study for a Diploma in Professional Performance at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award will provide financial assistance to enable her to take up this fantastic opportunity.

In 2008, Maureen once more was selected for the semi-final of the Montreux Jazz Festival, Shure Vocal Competition, in Switzerland. She is the only UK entrant to make the final 12 worldwide. The president of the jury this year is jazz/soul legend Patti Austin.

Since the Award

Maureen made the most of her opportunities while at Berklee, graduating with top honours (Summa Cum Laude) majoring in song-writing. Her tutors at Berklee have tipped her as the one who will make it.  Maureen was invited to sing during the Commencement Ceremony of her graduation. Afterwards Barbra Streisand, no less, came back stage to congratulate her and encourage her to continue singing. Maureen has gained an internship with the world-famous Warner/Chappell house in Nashville which has some major names on its label. Maureen writes, “Sometimes it is hard to put into words how much this experience has completely changed my musical horizons and perspectives. Doors are opening up for me now that I could never have imagined..I have only positive things to say about the Dewar Awards who believed in me from start to finish and allowed me to follow my dreams.”

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I was absolutely delighted to receive the news of the award.

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2005 Awardee: Susan McCathie

I am so overwhelmed by your support and cannot thank you enough. You have given me the opportunity to move one step closer to my dream

YEAR OF AWARD: 2005
AGE AT AWARD: 22
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Susan McCathie gained a first-class honours degree in music teaching at the University of Aberdeen. Her singing tutor was struck by the potential of her singing, both by her technical ability and her artistic response to the music she was performing. She received maximum marks at her end of year assessments.

In gaining a place on the prestigious Royal Academy of Music’s one-year postgraduate Musical Theatre course, Susan beat off some serious competition. Over 1,500 people applied for the 30 places given.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award funded Susan on the one-year postgraduate Musical Theatre course at the Royal Academy of Music, London.

Since the Award

Susan graduated with a Postgraduate Diploma in Performance, gaining a distinction in all but one subject.  She continues to write songs, and to sing, act and teach singing.

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I am so overwhelmed by your support and cannot thank you enough. You have given me the opportunity to move one step closer to my dream

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2005 Awardee: Nuño de Araujo Pereira

Opera is what I really love and enjoy doing and I am willing to go and work wherever I can to succeed. Without your generous support, I would never have had any of this.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2005
AGE AT AWARD: 30
ARTFORMS: , ,
 
 
 

Biography

Nuño is one of two Portuguese opera singers who have benefited from the Dewar Arts Awards, the other being Carla Caramujo.

While Nuño was studying mathematics and music at Coimbra University in Portugal his singing teachers began to encourage him to consider seriously a career in opera. Subsequently, his teachers at the Opera School at the RSAMD, Glasgow consider his voice – which is a strong baritone with a naturally attractive darkish timbre to it – to be a good Verdi baritone in the making.

A tall man with a big voice and a big stage presence to match, Nuño has already impressed as someone with a healthy ambition, keen to improve and not afraid to work hard.

Nuño has had to struggle financially throughout his vocal studies.  The support from the Dewar Arts Awards enabled him to continue studying at Glasgow at the point when he almost had to give up.  He writes, “I have a big ambition to succeed in Opera. I have worked hard for the last three years in Scotland and now have the wonderful opportunity to develop even more.”

Nuño has completed his studies in Glasgow and is in Germany working with a teacher who trained, amongst other top tenors, José Carreras.

How the Award Helped

Nuño received an award to help fund his postgraduate studies in opera at RSAMD, Glasgow.

Since the Award

Nuño successfully completed his studies in Glasgow and moved to Germany to work with a teacher who trained, amongst other top tenors, José Carreras.

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Opera is what I really love and enjoy doing and I am willing to go and work wherever I can to succeed. Without your generous support, I would never have had any of this.

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2005 Awardee: Joanne Boag

I am in the wonderful position of being able to look at my diary and see it full. I want to thank the Dewar Arts Award for helping me to get where I am today.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2005
AGE AT AWARD: 25
ARTFORMS: , ,
 
 
 

Biography

Hailing from Dundee, Joanne is a graduate of the RSAMD, where she gained both an Honours degree in performance and a Masters in opera with distinction. She won a highly coveted place on the Masters Course at the National Opera Studio, London – only two places were given, out of over 60 sopranos who auditioned.

The Studio prepares exceptionally talented singers for a career in opera.  Although the course is just a year, accommodation and living expenses in London are high and generally out of the reach of students. Without the Award, Joanne says that she would not have been able to finance herself through this course, which was a once in a lifetime opportunity for her.

Joanne is a lyric soprano of exceptional quality and undoubtedly has the talent to succeed in the highly competitive profession.

How the Award Helped

Joanne received a Dewar Arts Award towards her studies at the National Opera Studio, London.

Since the Award

Joanne’s first job after graduating from the Opera Studio is with Scottish Opera understudying the role of Sophie in Der Rosenkavalier.  The Welsh National Opera have subsequently offered her a principal artist’s contract for 2007-08.  Her first role will be Clorinda in Rossini’s La Cenerentola.

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I am in the wonderful position of being able to look at my diary and see it full. I want to thank the Dewar Arts Award for helping me to get where I am today.

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