Finalists Announced in $10,000 Bethesda Songwriting Contest

The Bernard/Ebb Songwriting Awards, produced by Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District, has announced the finalists of the competition.

Six songwriters from the metro-area will perform in a final round of competition in Bethesda on Friday, Mar. 6, vying for a grand prize of $10,000.

The competition was founded by local resident Cathy Bernard and created in honor of her uncle, Fred Ebb, a renowned American songwriter and lyricist for several Broadway musical hits, including “Cabaret” and “Chicago.”

“I am proud to support this new, local arts initiative and develop a live music event for aspiring songwriters to share their original work,” Bernard said. “My uncle built an inspiring career around the musical arts and I am thrilled to be able to honor him by creating an award that acknowledges and applauds local songwriters’ creativity and talent.”

Songwriters from the Young Songwriter category, applicants under 18, will also perform and compete for $2,500.

The songwriting finalists are:

• Laura Baron of Bethesda, MD
• Ginny Carr of Fairfax, VA
• Ellen Cherry of Baltimore, MD
• Trina Coleman of Baltimore, MD
• Owen Danoff of Washington, D.C.
• Darius Smith of Washington, D.C.

The songwriting finalists from the Young Songwriter category are:

• Caitlin Deerin of Brookeville, MD
• Eli Pafumi of Sterling, VA
• Lexi Peto of Warrenton, VA

The finalists will perform at Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club located at 7719 Wisconsin Ave., beginning at 8 p.m. Tickets are available online for $10.

-- Photos: Finalist Darius Smith of Washington, D.C. and Laura Baron of Bethesda, MD. Photos courtesy of Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District.