A former factory worker and an aspiring West End star have been named the first recipients of the Van Morrison Scholarship, which provides financial support for music studies at Queen’s University Belfast. David Cassidy, 50, from Portadown, and 18-year-old Cara Linden from West Belfast will each receive a fully funded scholarship that covers their tuition fees and living expenses for the duration of their three-year music degrees.
David Cassidy left school at 16 with only one GCSE, having struggled to balance his passion for music with academic commitments. His journey to higher education is unconventional; after forming the band ‘Million Dollar Reload’, he spent years working in factories while continuing to write and perform music. Reflecting on his educational journey, he stated, “I always regretted failing in education, so I attended a tour of Queen’s University in 2023, and that then became my goal: I was going to study music at Queen’s. I worked hard for two years in Lisburn College, got my diploma, and here I am.”
Music has been a lifelong passion for Cassidy. He expressed his gratitude for the scholarship, saying, “I would like to take this opportunity to say a heartfelt thank you to Sir Van Morrison, his team, and to Queen’s University. I am so grateful for this honour.” David aims to graduate with a First-Class degree and hopes to teach others what he has learned. He is also writing his first solo album.
Cara Linden, who recently completed her A Levels at St Dominic’s Grammar School, has aspirations of performing on the West End. She chose to study Music Performance at Queen’s University because she believes it offers an inspiring environment that fosters creativity alongside academic excellence. “Receiving the Van Morrison Music Scholarship is an incredible honour that supports me in continuing to grow as a performer and contribute to the rich musical legacy of Belfast,” Linden stated.
Announcing the scholarship recipients, Professor Sir Ian Greer, President and Vice-Chancellor of Queen’s University, remarked, “We are thrilled to announce the two very first Van Morrison Scholarship recipients, David Cassidy and Cara Linden. The Van Morrison Scholarship represents an investment in talent, providing two gifted musicians with the support to turn their big ambitions into a reality.”
The scholarship, named after the legendary musician and Queen’s University Artist in Residence, is valued at approximately £30,000 per recipient. It aims to uplift and support emerging musical talent in Northern Ireland. Professor Greer added, “We are incredibly grateful for the support of one of the world’s most successful musicians and hope that his achievements will inspire our students.”
Both recipients will now embark on their studies, with the scholarship paving the way for their dreams of musical success. The initiative not only highlights the importance of education in the arts but also underscores Northern Ireland’s burgeoning music scene.
