Strathmore Announces Finalists for 2025 Bernard/Ebb Songwriting Awards
Top DMV Songwriters Compete for $10,000 Grand Prize at Music Center on April 3, 2025
[North Bethesda, Md. — Feb. 4, 2025] — Strathmore proudly announces the finalists for the ninth annual Bernard/Ebb Songwriting Awards, a competition honoring outstanding composers and lyricists from Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Established in honor of Broadway lyricist Fred Ebb—renowned for works like Cabaret, Chicago, and New York, New York—the awards spotlight local songwriting talent. Finalists will showcase their original compositions at the Finalists Concert & Awards Ceremony on Thursday, April 3, at 7:30pm. at the Music Center. The evening will feature live performances, feedback from industry experts, and the announcement of the 2025 winners.
“Strathmore is committed to providing a platform for the next generation of artists to shine, and the Bernard/Ebb Songwriting Awards are at the heart of our mission,” said Monica Jeffries Hazangeles, President and CEO of Strathmore. “This year’s concert will celebrate the creativity and artistry of these songwriters, offering them a chance to grow as musicians and take the next step in their careers.”
Strathmore President and CEO, Monica Jeffries Hazangeles, speaking at the 2024 Bernard/Ebb Songwriting Awards Concert. Photo by Jim Saah
A distinguished panel of industry professionals will select the winners, including multi-genre artist Damien Sneed, Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Raul Midón, and acclaimed songwriter and performer Angela Sclafani. After each performance, the panel will provide live feedback, announcing the winners in two categories—Adult and Youth—at the end of the evening. This year’s finalists include:
Adult Category:
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Hannah Westley: A singer-songwriter from New Market, Md., Hannah Westley weaves together country and folk influences. Drawing inspiration from Fleetwood Mac and Carole King, her music offers a heartfelt reflection on life’s challenges, creating an emotional connection that makes listeners feel seen and heard.
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Integriti Reeves: A powerhouse vocalist from Ft. Washington, Md., Integriti Reeves blends jazz, Brazilian rhythms, and pop into her signature “Modern Vintage” style. A former Strathmore Artist in Residence (Class of 2013) and a Howard University graduate with a Master of Music in jazz studies, she has shared the stage with legends like Herbie Hancock, Esperanza Spalding, and Stevie Wonder.
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Jenn Hawley: Jenn Hawley from Germantown, Md., is a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist whose music spans folk, jazz, pop, and bluegrass. Her songwriting explores love, loss, social justice, and hope, earning her multiple awards—including first place in the 41st Mid-Atlantic Song Contest's Pop category for “Strawberry Moon.” Her album Fragile was nominated for a 2024 WAMMIE.
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Laura Brino: An Annapolis-based indie folk-pop artist, Laura Brino is known for her heartfelt lyrics and catchy refrains. Her latest album, Cactus Moon (2024), explores themes of motherhood, trauma and healing. She’s set to release her seventh studio album, The Other Side, in May 2025.
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Wordsmith: Baltimore-based songwriter, poet, and recording artist Wordsmith fuses hip-hop, jazz, pop, and rock. A five-time ASCAPLUS Award winner and Grammy Voting Member, his music has been featured on WWE, ESPN, and Russian Doll. He collaborates with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and is the founder of Rise with a Purpose, Inc.
Youth Category:
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Aaron Swibel: A high school sophomore from Rockville, Md., Aaron Swibel blends pop, ballads, country, and rock, writing lyrics that explore love, angst, and nostalgia. He made his live debut at Outta the Way Cafe in Derwood, Md., and performed in the Maryland High School Choir Invitational under conductor Jason Max Ferdinand.
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Cameron Steele: A high school freshman from Leesburg, Va., Cameron Steele merges indie pop, folk, and singer-songwriter influences in his music. His debut album, Pathways, was released in March 2024, and he leads the Virginia chapter of SilverTunes, bringing music to elderly community members.
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Chloe Stuckey: Performing as “Chloe Key,” this high school senior from McLean, Va., blends indie, pop, folk, and rock to explore themes of self-discovery and emotional resilience. She released her debut album, Self-Tied, in March 2023 and has performed at local events and the Interlochen Center for the Arts Camp.
The Adult Category winner will receive a grand prize of $10,000, 25 hours of recording studio time, and two hours of music business strategy consulting with producer Dave Mallen at Innovation Station Music in Annandale, Va. The second-place winner will receive $2,500, and all other adult finalists will receive $1,000. In the Youth Category, the top young songwriter will earn $2,500. Additionally, all finalists will be featured on Strathmore’s digital platforms.
Cathy Bernard, founder of the Bernard/Ebb Songwriting Awards, speaking at the 2024 Concert. Photo by Jim Saah
Fred Ebb's niece, Cathy Bernard, founded the Bernard/Ebb Songwriting Awards in 2015 to celebrate the lasting mark her uncle made on Broadway. Bernard, a Bethesda, Md., resident, also established the Bernard Family Foundation, which supports arts, education, and cancer advocacy organizations.
In 2024, Maryland songwriter Eryn Michel won the Adult Category, while Arlington, Va., singer-songwriter Sarah Mariel Baumgarten took top honors in the Youth Category. Performances from last year’s concert and a list of past winners are available on YouTube and online.
Tickets for the Bernard/Ebb Songwriting Awards Finalists Concert & Awards Ceremony are now on sale, with prices ranging from $20 to $40. For more details, visit strathmore.org.
About Strathmore
Since 1983, Strathmore has enriched lives through transformative artistic experiences in North Bethesda, Md. This nonprofit cultural institution showcases world-class talent, supports emerging artists, and offers diverse programs across its campus and in the Music Center and the Mansion. Strathmore fosters creativity and community through performance, educational initiatives, and accessible arts programming. Experience the magic of Strathmore, where the arts are everywhere.
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Media Contacts:
PJ Feinstein (she/her), pfeinstein@strathmore.org
Brandii Toby-Leon (she/her), btoby-leon@strathmore.org