UNIVERSITY NEWS LAST UPDATED : 31 OCTOBER
First-year BMus Viola student Ellen Cowan is this year’s recipient of the Gwyn Williams Viola Bursary, a student support fund that assists viola students with cost-of-living expenses while studying at RBC.
Ellen is from Belfast, where she studied viola at the Ulster College of Music. Through participation in orchestral groups such as the City of Belfast Youth Orchestra and the Ulster Youth Orchestra, she gained experience in leading the viola section and improved her orchestral playing.
She was also part of a student string quartet that played at weddings, drinks receptions and charity galas, and went busking to raise funds for charities such as Marie Curie during the Christmas period.
The Gwyn Williams Viola Bursary is donated by Stephannie Williams, the classical music agent and festival organiser, in memory of her husband Gwyn.
Gwyn Williams had a long and distinguished career as Principal Viola of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, and as a violin and viola tutor at Kings School Worcester and at the Birmingham Conservatoire (before it was given its Royal status). It is his enthusiasm for helping aspiring young players that led Stephannie to create the bursary at RBC.
Ellen met with Stephannie, Music Critic and Conductor Chris Morley, Head of Strings Nicholas Trygstad and celebrated classical violinist Tasmin Little at RBC, where they discussed music in Birmingham, Ellen’s history and bowing techniques. Tasmin has recently been appointed International Chair in Violin at RBC, bringing her wealth of knowledge and decades of experience to all string students at the Conservatoire.
Ellen said: “I am honoured to be the recipient of the Gwyn Williams Viola Bursary this year. This bursary will not only help with cost-of-living expenses and travel here in Birmingham, but it has also formed a connection with the generous donors, and the members of the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Association.
“It gives me the opportunity to increase my experience of playing in soloistic settings by giving short recitals at donor events, which will be vital for my future career.”
Nicholas said: “We’re delighted that students at the Conservatoire can benefit from the generous support of bursaries such as the Gwyn Williams Bursary, and the guidance of world class musicians such as Tasmin Little.
“Birmingham is a place where every student is valued, nurtured as well as challenged to achieve their best. Ellen has an infectious love of music, and we will see her develop from strength to strength over her time here.”
Stephannie and Chris added: “We were very impressed with Ellen, and her positivity towards her craft seems to mirror the enthusiasm we felt in the RBC building. There was a genuine buzz in the atmosphere, and we were thrilled to hear that Ellen is finding her feet so quickly.
“Gwyn was always so pleased to support young musicians on their journey, and we’re confident Ellen will be another excellent recipient of the Bursary. We look forward to her playing at one of our events soon.”
As well as the bursary, the Gwyn Williams Fund will introduce a new Viola competition for RBC students, rewarding prowess in performance and progress through continued study. The competition will make its debut in March 2025.
Pictured: (l-r) Tasmin Little, Ellen Cowan, Stephannie Williams, Nicholas Trygstad and Chris Morley.