Songwriting Contest
2026 is a new year and with it there are new promises and the excitement of a fresh beginning! We are thrilled to announce these talented High School students as the finalists for our School of Music Songwriting Contest!
Lipscomb's Commercial Music Department is committed to raising up the next generations of artists, songwriters and producers in Nashville's fertile music community and this is only one of the things we are doing to contribute to that mission.
If you are an aspiring High School songwriter and are concerned that you missed out on this year's opportunity, don't worry, we will be posting info for the 2026-2027 contest very soon.
JudyAnne Jackson
Florida sensation JudyAnne Jackson is capturing the attention of audiences everywhere with her powerful voice and conversational lyrics. The singer/songwriter has been described by many as an old soul, a dedicated artist, and a true prodigy.
Her dedication to her craft has led her to national recognition and a string of impressive opportunities. As a young teen, JudyAnne was featured as halftime entertainment at Madison Square Garden, won the Producers' Choice for PBS Celebration of Music, and was selected by NBC's Today Show as a finalist in its aspiring singer/songwriter contest.
In 2020, JudyAnne partnered with the Nashville-based artist development team at Hope Tree Entertainment and is gaining speed. She has since been featured in media outlets around the country, SOLD OUT New York City’s historic The Bitter End, and released her debut EP “OLD SOUL” produced by Grammy award-winning producer Mitch Dane in the fall of 2021. JudyAnne released her second EP “Dear Me” on November 3, 2023.
JudyAnne notes, “Songwriting brings me so much joy. I love performing and hope my music makes people smile.”
Abby Post
Abby Post is a 15-year-old songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Drawing inspiration from artists like Avery Anna, Olivia Rodrigo, and Noah Kahan, Abby blends Americana with indie-pop to create music that is both vulnerable and empowering. Since teaching herself guitar, vocals, and songwriting at age 14, she has developed a signature style rooted in honest storytelling and radical hope. Her entry in the 2026 Lipscomb Songwriting Contest, "Rocking Chair," explores the vicious cycle of anxiety through the metaphor of a rocking chair—symbolizing constant motion without progress. A homeschooled sophomore, Abby spends her time leading worship at her youth group and cheering on the OKC Thunder.
Skylar Edson
Skylar Edson is a rising country‑pop artist from Pittsburgh, born with music in her blood and raised on classic rock, country music and the Pittsburgh Steelers. At just 15, she’s already a talented multi‑instrumentalist and pop vocalist—but songwriting is where she truly comes alive, crafting stories with the emotional punch of old school country but with a sharper, more rebellious edge that’s entirely her own. Now studying songwriting at the renowned Interlochen Arts Academy, Skylar is honing her craft and shaping a voice that feels both fresh and fearless.