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THE UNIQUE STORY OF SONG ACADEMY
Welcome to Song Academy. My name is Rowena Atkins and I am the proud founder of Song Academy, a vibrant global community of aspiring young songwriters.
The genesis of Song Academy was 15 years ago, when my daughter Matilda, at the tender age of 8, wrote a spontaneous song titled ‘This Is Me.’ Seeing how much this song meant to her and the joy she experienced when sharing it with me, I was inspired to explore avenues where Matilda could nurture her songwriting talent. To my surprise, there was no dedicated space for her to flourish…And so, Song Academy was born.
The vision for Song Academy is for all young people, across all backgrounds, to have faith in themselves. To use the power of songwriting and community to empower young people, from every corner of the globe, by helping them to express themselves, discover their voice and find their tribe. I rapidly learnt the transformational power of songwriting, especially for young people during their formative years.
Imagine the millions of young people writing songs in the seclusion of their bedrooms, waiting to be discovered. In addition to many more musical & creative young people who haven’t yet written their first song! Song Academy would inspire and unite these young minds and empower them to have faith in themselves and lead a creative & united future. Song Academy would not only nurture young people’s creativity but also boost their mental health.
With the help of professional songwriters who shared my passion for inspiring the next generation, we started running weekly songwriting clubs in London, then songwriting workshops in the holidays. Song Academy became a sanctuary, providing a safe haven for young people to articulate their thoughts and emotions through lyrics and music.
Our commitment to empowering young songwriters led to the expansion of our programs—from song feedback reports and summer camps to online songwriting clubs/workshops, a mentoring programme for exceptionally talented young songwriters and the annual international Young Songwriter competition.
Our songwriting programmes are tailored for beginner, intermediate and advanced young songwriters. Check out all our songwriting programmes in the link below.
“With so much going on in the world, it’s never been more vital for young people to be able to channel their energy and emotions into something positive, which is what The Young Songwriter competition encourages and facilitates through songwriting. Every young person has something to say, a story to tell, or a message to share – that’s why Song Academy is so important to our community.”
“Song Academy is a dynamic, supportive and excellent nurturing ground for young talent. The songs that come through the Academy are far ranging and above all, show that the Academy give young creators the confidence to realise their own natural inspiration.”
WHAT IS THE SONG ACADEMY YOUNG SONGWRITER COMPETITION?
The Young Songwriter competition, now in its 15th year, is the leading international songwriting competition for 8-22 year olds (in age categories, 8-12, 13-15, 16-18 & 19-22). The Young Songwriter competition is for both aspiring young songwriters who already have experience writing songs, as well as young people who want to write their very first song.
The Young Songwriter 2025 competition is open for entries from 1st February to 31st March 2025. See how we can help get your songs ready.
WRITING SONGS FOR SPECIAL CAUSES
We offer a safe, nurturing environment for:
Self-expression and self-discovery. Overcoming challenges. Building confidence and self-esteem. Advancing increasingly important ‘soft skills’. Connecting to future collaborators and fanbase
OUR TEAM
Rowena Atkins
Founder and Chief Executive
An entrepreneur passionate about the creativity and power of young people.
Rowena has a background in old and new media at The Economist, Financial Times, The Guardian and United Business Media. Rowena started her career as a Chartered Accountant, moving swiftly into sales & marketing and launching & developing online businesses.
When she’s not masterminding the development of Song Academy, she’s in a coastal quad, rowing on the south coast of the UK.
Scarlet Billham
Songwriting Leader
Scarlet is a professional musician, songwriter and actor. Scarlet graduated from The BRIT School of Performing Arts and now performs as a musician across the country.
Scarlet has gained a ton of support from BBC Introducing which led to her signing with a top agent at Primary Talent. After her signing she has supported Ward Thomas on their sell out tour, played Secret Garden Party, Hit The North, Live at Leeds festival to name but a few. She also works with Ninja Music as a songwriter.
Lexi Du Buclet
Songwriting Leader
Lexi is an R&B and soul singer-songwriter from Chicago. From an early age, her evocative and powerful voice, combined with charismatic yet real energy and multidimensional musical talent, has caught the attention of music industry leaders, landing her on stages and records and fostering her passion for writing music and singing from the heart.
Brendan Cleary
Songwriting Leader
Brendan is a singer/songwriter who’s career has seen him write and gig across the UK and Europe. Moving to London at the age of 18, Brendan has spent time honing his craft in both Ireland and the Lake District, where his home was always filled with the likes of The Beatles, The Eagles, Simon & Garfunkel and James Taylor, all of whom he cites as big inspirations for his musical style. Since moving to the capital, Brendan worked tirelessly to improve his stature as a music artist and songwriter; enrolling on to BIMM London’s Songwriting course, joining the infamous London gig circuit and enjoying regular airplay on BBC Introducing and local independent radio stations.
Kemi Cline-Thomas
Songwriting Leader
Kemi is a fabulous singer songwriter who has worked with young people from various backgrounds and contexts for many years, to encourage positive self-expression and self-esteem through music and songwriting. She’s had professional backing vocalist experience and one-on-one mentoring from seasoned professionals. Working with primary schools and creative learning programmes, such as Alexandra Palace’s Creativity Camps, has given Kemi a deeper understanding of the importance of songwriting as a practise of development, discovery and expression for all.
Ben Cavanagh
Songwriting Leader
Ben Cavanagh is a topline writer based in west-London. After landing his first major label cut during his second year of University, Ben has been working alongside both developing and more established artists alike. Recently writing alongside Pete Hammerton, Red Triangle, Danny Jones, Josh Wilkinson, Jamie Lawson, Louis Mattrs, Lisa Subotic, and Jordan Nash.
This year, a R3HAB remix of Ben’s co-write with Denis Coleman on ‘Make Friends’ saw the track rocket over a million streams, while his cut with Ruti on ‘Closer To You’ demonstrated his soulful pop capabilities.
Adam Gillian
Songwriting Leader
Adam is a songwriter and actor born in Lisburn, Co. Armagh, Northern Ireland. He was awarded a prestigious scholarship to study BA Musical Theatre at The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and then studied MA Songwriting at The Institute of Contemporary Music & Performance.
He is also known for performing with the band ‘Mondegreen Trio’.
Natalie McCool
Songwriting Leader
Natalie McCool is a singer, songwriter & multi instrumentalist. Her music has been playlisted on BBC Radio 1, BBC 6 Music and BBC Radio 2, not to mention featured in the likes of The Sunday Times and Wonderland Magazine. She has also played shows and festivals internationally, including Austin Texas’ industry showcase festival SXSW (USA), Hamamatsu World Festival in Japan, and Kendal Calling, Latitude and Festival No. 6 in the UK. She has supported the likes of Aurora, Joan Armatrading and Boy George.
Her recent album Memory Girl was co-written with The Wombats’ Dan Haggis and she has always been a passionate collaborator, writing for other artists and many different projects including UK’s electronic label Anjunabeats.
Graham Henderson
Song Academy Band
Graham is a multi-instrumentalist and producer who has been playing music since the age of 15. After studying music at Royal Holloway, University of London, he has gone on to perform in various locations around the world for various artists. He currently performs, teaches and produces records and has had music featured in adverts and for major labels.
Samir Elshay
Song Academy Ambassador
London-based writer-producer Elshay has been honing his craft from an early age, having spent time in the studio with mega producer Darkchild (Michael Jackson, Destiny’s Child) along with influential UK producers Steel Banglez and Da beat freakz. Elshay’s music is a blend of smooth R&B vocals with hints of Hip-Hop and Soul – his songs have been described as love songs with an edge.
His debut EP embodies a mix of future R&B shades and infectiously catchy pop hits which have led to him being likened to Canadian artists Drake and Party Next Door.
Megan O’Neill
Songwriting Leader
Irish born singer – songwriter Megan O’Neill has just finished working on her second full length studio album, set for public release in March 2021. This much anticipated album follows her last release, ‘Ghost of You’ (June 2018) which hit #1 on the iTunes singer/songwriter charts in the UK and Ireland.
To date Megan has toured the UK, Ireland, US and Germany. In 2019 Megan opened three stadium shows for the legendary Sir Tom Jones. In the first few months of 2020, Megan opened for Lighthouse Family and Jamie Cullum.
Prior to her album ‘Ghost of You’; Megan released two EP’s: ‘Coming Home’ – produced by Philip Magee (The Script, Kodaline) and ‘Stories To Tell’ produced by Guy Fletcher (Dire Straits, Mark Knopfler).
Hannah Rose Platt
Songwriting Leader
Hannah is a Liverpudlian acclaimed singer-songwriter, talented guitarist and storyteller. She has toured extensively in the UK and USA and recorded with Grammy Award-winning musicians. Her songs have often been played on radio and TV.
Her debut album, Portraits was released in 2015 to widespread critical acclaim. Recorded in Nashville, Tennessee, Portraits features some of the industry’s leading names, including Grammy award-winning musicians. It received widespread airplay on BBC Radio, Resonance FM, Amazing Radio, and Europe’s leading country radio station CMR Nashville. The song ‘1954’ was featured several times in the TV soap Hollyoaks and Hannah was invited to the home of legendary BBC presenter, Bob Harris, to film an Under the Apple Tree Session for Whispering Bob TV.
John Matts
Songwriting Leader
John Matts is a full-time professional session guitarist. Having played guitar from an early age and then gaining a degree from the acclaimed Popular Music BA from Goldsmiths College, University of London, John has gone on to form a career in a wide range of genres, recording and touring all around the United Kingdom and Europe for the last 8 years. Acts on his resume include Oi Va Voi, Hattie Briggs, Grace Davies, Alfie Connor, Apostle Thomas and many more. He is a prolific writer and teacher alongside a growing session career living in South West London.
Herty Hill
Song Academy Band
Along with working as a songwriter/arranger, producer and musical director, Herty is also a vastly experienced session musician who regularly gigs as a vocalist, bassist, keyboardist/pianist and percussionist, as well as having plenty of experience in guitar and drums.
He has performed at such venues as O2 Academy Islington, The 100 Club, Shepherd’s Bush Empire, The Forum, Milton Keynes Stadium, The Bedford, 2000 Trees Festival, The Borderline, and many more with various artists. As well as running his own bands he has worked on corporate events around the world, including working with Rolls Royce, Silverstone and David Beckham.
Eden Tredwell
Social Media Lead
Eden Tredwell is a songwriter, composer and writer whose work ranges from Japanese-inspired musicals to edgy alt-pop. She recently won the Stiles & Drewe Best New Song Prize for her song ‘Those Stars’ and has had her work featured with BEAM, Adam Lenson, The Other Palace, and more. She has also had commercial releases with Universal, Good Soldier and Loudkult. Alongside this, she works extensively with children in music and educational settings, and is delighted to be part of the Song Academy team.
Jenk Oz
Miriam Nyarko
Sebastian Croft
Andrea Turk
Joshua Shea
Tabitha Jade
Roman Lewis
Katie Kittermaster
Gus Harrower
Lottie Jenkins
Gilska Weerakkody
Cassa Jackson
Kevin Jones
Natalie Shay
Ronnie Warwick
Violet Skies
Sophie Griffiths
Lexie Carroll