A night to remember – The Young Songwriter 2025 showcase for UK/Ireland finalists aged 8-18
Star-studded judges, including Tom Grennan, GAYLE, Miranda Cooper, Nina Nesbitt, MNEK, Toby Gad, Calum Scott, Eg White, Freddy Wexler, Plested, Dan Gillespie Sells, Hannah V, Emily Phillips, Naughty Boy & Connie Talbot
16th October 2025
On Saturday 4th October 2025, the iconic Tabernacle in Notting Hill buzzed with creativity as the top finalists of The Young Songwriter 2025 competition took the stage. The showcase celebrated outstanding young talent — from ages 8 to 18 — performing their original songs to a packed crowd and a worldwide online audience.
Each performance was a window into the next generation of musical storytellers — from playful melodies and heartfelt confessions to bold, socially aware anthems. Every songwriter brought something unique, proving that age is no barrier to artistry or authenticity.
But this night wasn’t just about competition. It was about connection, expression and celebration — showing the power of songwriting to help young people find their voices and tell their stories. The photos below were taken by Dylan Roberts.
🌱 Why The Song Academy Young Songwriter Competition Matters
Empowers young voices — giving them a platform to be heard and celebrated.
Builds confidence and community — connecting like-minded creatives and mentors.
Nurtures emotional well-being — encouraging honest self-expression through music.
Inspires others — proving to young people everywhere that they, too, can write their own songs.
Winners
The awesome Connie Talbot, singer songwriter and Young Songwriter 2025 judge performed a couple of her original songs and presented the awards to the winners.
16-18 years old category
Winner – Samuel Khanna with ‘Only When It’s Easy’
2nd place – Isabel Maria with ‘Ghost’
3rd place – The Claes Band with ‘Double Denim Ballerina’
13-15 years old category
Winner – Johnny Beau with ‘Feeling June’
2nd place – Minna Williams with ‘My Mahogany Guitar’
3rd place – Maya Martin with ‘Overthinking’
8-12 years old category
Winner – Ayona Ellora with ‘Superhero’
Joint 2nd place – Isla Smith with ‘Own Game’ and The Power of Two with ‘Cocoa & Gin’
Joint 3rd place – Reese Harris with ‘I’m Living Here’ and Leonora Simmonds with ‘Invisible’
The special award for top performer on the night is awarded jointly to Hanley Webb and Macy O, plus Tabitha Buchan for the youngest (9 years old) top performer on the night.
Official sponsors of The Song Academy Young Songwriter 2025 competition are Spotify, YouTube Music, PRS for Music, Focusrite, Soundtrap and ICMP.
Partners of The Song Academy Young Songwriter 2025 competition are Shure, IK Multimedia, The Troubadour, First News, Music News, Music Ed, Songhouse
Comments from The Young Songwriter judges and partners
Emily Phillips (songwriter and lead judge of The Young Songwriter 2025 competition) says “This year just under a 1,000 songs were submitted to the Young Songwriter Competition 2025. It has been a total pleasure to come across new talent and some great songs from young songwriters in the UK and around the world. The process of judging is not an absolute or determining factor in the value of a song – The Beatles were turned down 5 times by record labels before landing a deal!
That said, we try to be as rigorous as possible in deciding which songs are selected. Concepts, lyrics, melody, structure, originality and harmony are some of the aspects that we listen out for, but also, sometimes simply the X factor, which is a mysterious indefinable quality a song can have. In other words, in some cases, a hunch or a feeling might be what persuades us to choose one song over another.”
Amy Wadge (songwriter) ‘It’s been an absolute privilege to listen to so much young talent, this competition is so important not only to showcase young talent but to also give an opportunity to be heard by the music industry from a young age – I’m very confident that the future of music is in some of the songwriters I’ve listened to for this!”
Fraser T Smith (songwriter, & producer) says “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.”
Naughty Boy (songwriter, producer & DJ) says “Young songwriters are the future of music. A great song will always stand the test of time far beyond our years. I think this competition is important because every songwriter I’ve worked with was always waiting to be discovered.”
Tom Odell (songwriter) says “When I was 13 years old I started writing songs, and over the following years I became more and more obsessed with it. But the thing that always kept me awake at night was how to get them out there for people to hear them. This is why I think the Song Academy Young Songwriter competition is a great way to inspire and help through this process, and its something I wish had been around when I was starting out.”
Jacqueline Ankner, Head of Songwriter and Publisher Partnerships, said: “We’re excited to support The Young Songwriter 2025 competition and their dedication to nurturing aspiring young songwriters and the next generation of creative leaders.”
Kenny Barber, Relationship Manager – Black Music, PRS for Music, said: “In supporting the voices that will shape our future industry, PRS for Music is investing not just in music but in the dreams, aspirations, and boundless potential of the next generation of songwriters and composers. We look forward to hearing the unique melodies, harmonies and lyrics that are entered and encourage all young people to seize this opportunity and submit their original songs!”
Rowena Atkins, Founder & CEO of Song Academy said “The Young Songwriter 2025 competition is a golden opportunity for young people to not only get recognition for their creative talent but also connect and be inspired by other aspiring young songwriters writing songs in their bedrooms around the world. We vision a world where all young people feel confident in who they are, celebrating their individuality, feeling empowered by sharing what’s important to them and creating their united future.”
💡 What’s Next
As the applause fades and new melodies begin to form, The Young Songwriter 2026 competition is just around the corner — opening for entries from the 1st February to 31st March 2026. Plus their are many other songwriting opportunities for aspiring young songwriters – shown below.
If you’re a young creative with something to say, now’s your time.
Write it. Sing it. Share it!
Apply to join our monthly mentoring programme, Ad Lib. The place for talented young songwriters (aged 13-18) to learn about the music business from leaders in the business. Click here for more info and how to apply.
Join our holiday songwriting workshops (in London and online). Click here for more info on Autumn half-term and Christmas workshops.
Send us your songs for our insightful song feedback. Click here for more information on how we can help you develop your songwriting talents.
Feel and look awesome in our new range of Song Academy merchandise! Click here to view the full range.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
SONG ACADEMY – The Sound Of Youth Empowerment
As the world’s leading songwriting platform for young people, Song Academy plays a vital role in inspiring 1000’s of young people to fulfil their creative potential. Founded 16 years ago, Song Academy nurtures and develops young aspiring songwriters, giving them the chance to develop important creative and social skills.
Song Academy has developed excellent songwriting programmes and services, including songwriting clubs, workshops, residential summer camps, a song feedback service, mentoring programmes and the highly prestigious and competitive annual International Young Songwriter Competition.
Many of the past Young Songwriter finalists and Song Academy programmes alumnae are now making waves in the industry, including Gayle, Lexie Carroll, Wasia Project, Matilda Mann, Cassa Jackson, Natalie Shay, Tom A. Smith, Andrea Turk, Rosie Sullivan, Hetta Falzon and Conor Marcus.
Song Academy also plays a vital role for the Music Industry, not only in discovering new talent, but also by adding revenue streams for professional songwriters, producers, musicians, music venues and recording studios.
Song Academy has the support of some of the world’s most renowned songwriters and producers as mentors and judges; Fraser T Smith, Miranda Cooper, Eg White, MNEK, Tom Grennan, Calum Scott, Cathy Dennis, Jimmy Napes, Dan Gillespie Sells, Emily Phillips, Hannah V, Plested, Jon Maguire & Toby Gad.
Song Academy is sponsored by some of the biggest brands in the music industry, including PRS for Music, Spotify, Focusrite & Shure.
UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES at Song Academy
Apply to join our monthly mentoring programme, Ad Lib. The place for talented young songwriters (aged 13-18) to learn about the music business from leaders in the business. Click here for more info and how to apply.
Join our holiday songwriting workshops (in London and online). Click here for more info on Autumn half-term and Christmas workshops.
Send us your songs for our insightful song feedback. Click here for more information on how we can help you develop your songwriting talents.
Feel and look awesome in our new range of Song Academy merchandise! Click here to view the full range.
