Ivory recognized for songwriting talent as one of top John Lennon Scholarship winners
Lipscomb's commercial music students are among the top in the nation as the School of Music is leading the way in preparing them to pursue their dream careers.
Kim Chaudoin |
Lipscomb student Ele Ivory was the featured musician at a special concert at Lipscomb Academy before the high school football game on Aug. 30.
From the time she was a young girl, Ele Ivory had a passion for music. She was involved in performing arts throughout her childhood and began writing songs at age 11.
A junior commercial music major at Lipscomb today, as a young girl Ivory focused on honing her piano and vocal skills over the next few years while crafting original songs. Originally from Atlanta, Georgia, she moved to Nashville at age 15 to pursue music. Since then she has released original songs on streaming services iTunes and Spotify, and frequently performs shows in both Georgia and Tennessee.
This summer, Ivory’s songwriting talent was recognized on one of the biggest stages for up-and-coming artists as she tied for first place in the BMI Foundation’s 22nd Annual John Lennon Scholarships, a program that recognizes the nation’s best and brightest young songwriters between the ages of 17 and 24. The John Lennon Scholarships were established by Yoko Ono in 1997 in conjunction with the BMI Foundation, and honor the memory of one of the preeminent songwriters of the twentieth century. The program is made possible through funding from Ono in cooperation with Gibson Musical Instruments.
Ivory tied with Leyla Blue, a student at New York University, for the top prize, marking the first time in the competition’s history that a tie has occurred. Ivory was recognized for her original song “LaZyboys.”
Ele Ivory is the third consecutive Lipscomb student to finish in the top three in the John Lennon Scholarship competition.
“Samantha and the team at BMI/BMI Foundation have been so kind and encouraging to me throughout this process,” she said.
This is the third consecutive year that a student or recent graduate of Lipscomb’s commercial music program, housed in the George Shinn College of Entertainment & the Arts has finished in the top three spots in the nation in the John Lennon Scholarships competition. In 2017, Jacalyn Thompson (’18) finished in third place and last year Erika Daves (’19), one-third of the band Daves Highway, took second.
“This is a tremendous honor for Ele. She is an extremely talented musician who has worked hard to develop her musical talent and to begin to build a career path to follow in music,” said Brown Bannister, director of Lipscomb’s School of Music. “Having our students finish among the very top in the nation for the last three years is great outside validation that the talent, experiences and education of our music students is truly among the best in the nation. I’m very proud of Ele and know that she will continue to make a positive impact in the music world for many years to come.”
Ivory credits Lipscomb's commercial music program and faculty with playing a key role in helping her pursue her goal of having a career in music.
“The faculty in the program have been extremely supportive of my aspirations as a performing artist/songwriter and they routinely attend my shows around Nashville…which is incredible of them,” she said. “They’ve challenged me to lean into my specific sound as an artist and not be afraid of some people or audiences ‘not getting it.’”
As for those who have had a particular influence on her career to this point, Ivory said, “naming just one person wouldn’t paint an accurate picture of my journey so far.”
Ivory was featured on the 15th season of "The Voice."
“It truly takes an incredible team of people and I’ve been insanely blessed by the ones God has brought into my life to guide, direct and redirect me in times of refinement and self-doubt,” admits Ivory. “Just to mention a few of the amazing people here at Lipscomb University: Bonnie Keen, Steve Taylor, John and Fleming Painter, Cindy Morgan, Brooke Waggoner and of course our wonderful program director, Brown Bannister, have all embraced me, challenged me and supported me since I transferred here last fall.”
Before attending Lipscomb, Ivory was featured on Season 15 of NBC's THE VOICE as a Comeback Artist with Coach Kelsea Ballerini. While in school, Ele plays shows in the Nashville area. On Sept. 27, Ivory will release her John Lennon award-winning song “LaZyboys” on all streaming platforms along with other singles in the upcoming months.
“This is the first song I’ve been able to release since my time on The Voice last September, so I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity to release a song I feel so strongly connected to,” said Ivory. “This feels like the beginning of a new chapter in my music and artistry, and I’m excited for what’s to come.”
Ivory’s single “Car in the Driveway (Live)” is available on Spotify, Apple Music and all major digital services. Her EP “On Vinyl” is available at all major digital retailers and music streaming sites. Learn more at www.eleivory.com and follow her on Instagram @eleivorymusic and on Spotify.
Learn more about Lipscomb’s commercial music program.