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The Dan Beattie Award

The Dan Beattie Award

Dan Beattie,Edinburgh,award,music,guitarDan Beattie 1986 – 2011

An extraordinarily keen & gifted young musician, Dan Beattie attended Morningside School of Music throughout 2010 in preparation for his studies in Music at Brunel University, London. Dan was one of the most determined and enthusiastic musicians that Morningside School of Music had encountered, and his attitude towards learning was nothing short of inspirational.

Dan played guitar, piano and was also a great vocalist. He later went on to learn the mandolin and ukulele. He had a particular interest in popular music theory and live music performance. Music was his pride and passion.

Aged only 24, Dan and his younger sister Carly, 21, were tragically involved in a fatal air accident while in Florida.

He will be greatly missed by the staff at the music school who grew very fond of Dan and developed friendships with him.

Morningside School of Music will continue to remember Dan every year through the ‘Dan Beattie Award for the Dedication to Musical Excellence’ which is presented to the student who shows the same high level of determination & dedication that Dan showed throughout his musical training.

The award is presented annually at the Morningside School of Music Grand Annual Charity Ball, by Dan’s father, Mr Tom Beattie.

The award has been presented to:

2019 - Harry Valentine

The teachers at the music school have been completely amazed by Harry's determination to constantly improve his musicianship. Despite only having played the guitar for a few years and still only being in primary school, Harry has proven himself to be a very worthy recipient!

2018 - Katy Martin

We were absolutely blown away by the sheer determination of this year's winner, Katy Martin. A pianist, flautist, composer and vocalist, Katy has be working hard with us for many years whilst still at school.

2017 - Summer Xie

Our youngest recipient of the Dan Beattie award to date, Summer Xie, shows ability on the piano that is past young age. Her level of practice and eye for detail in her work impressed all the staff at Morningside School of Music, none more than her piano teacher.

2016 - Beth Peters

Beth's teachers were so impressed by her impressive vocal ability, they insisted that she be nominated as the 2016 winner of the Dan Beattie Award. Her range, vocal technique and stage presence left the audience cheering to hear more at the Morningside School of Music Grand Annual Ball which was held in aid of SAMH. Beth Continues to study voice with us and is performing live every opportunity she gets.

2015 - Izzy MacLullich

Despite her young age, Izzy is without a doubt one of the most proficient drummers that Morningside School of Music has ever had the pleasure of teaching. At the age of just 12, Izzy was playing through Grade 8 Rockschool Drumming easily, her drum teacher astounded by her incredible aptitude for music. Izzy has gone on to play alongside some of the most famous drummers in the world and even hold her own drum workshops across the UK.

2014 - Conal Mooney

Conal ‘Rockstar’ Mooney, as he is affectionately known at the music school, has proved himself to be a very worthy winner of the Dan Beattie Award. As a multi-instrumentalist who can play piano, bass and drums, Conal received a distinction at Grade 8 Rockschool in his guitar exam. We are very proud of Conal due to the determination he holds when it comes to musicianship. in 2017, Conal enrolled at Edinburgh Napier University on the BA Popular Music degree course where he continues to impress with his virtuoso guitar skills.

2013 - Nikki Lamont

A multi-instrumentalist, singing, playing the guitar, piano and bass, Nikki impressed everyone with her outstanding songwriting skills and her musical aptitude. Nikki has since gone on to study music and graduated with a BA Music degree from Kingston University in 2018.

2012 - Gus Harrower

The second winner of the Dan Beattie Memorial Award was the 14-year-old singer, pianist and guitarist, Angus Harrower. The award ceremony was held at the 2012 Morningside School of Music Annual Dinner which raised over £2,000 for the Sick Kids Friend’s Foundation. The award was presented by Dan’s father, Tom. Since winning the award, Gus has gone on to play, compose, produce and promote his way to Scottish music scene stardom. Gus has been on various TV shows, written about in many newspapers and in 2015, was included in Scotland on Sunday ‘one to watch for 2016’ list. In 2016, Gus enrolled at Edinburgh Napier University on the BA Popular Music degree course.

2011 - Ruiradh Logan

The first-ever recipient of the Dan Beattie Award for Dedication to Musical Excellence. Ruaridh worked extremely hard at Morningside School of Music, in particular, on drums and guitar, dedicating as much free time as possible to the progression of his musical studies. The staff at Morningside School of Music were extremely proud to see Ruaridh lifting the trophy. Since winning the award, he has gone on to perform at various gigs across the Capital and has continued to progress under the watchful eye of his teacher, David Jeans.

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