Tega Ethan, a 25-year-old singer-songwriter from Nigeria, and Taylor Zickfoose, a 28-year-old Washington state native, are the inaugural recipients of the Bob Dylan Center Songwriting Fellowship.
An initiative of Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) and BDC in Tulsa, OK, each scholarship includes a $40,000 project stipend, public engagement and presentation opportunities, time spent at the Bob Dylan Archive studying the legendary artist's creative process, round-trip airfare to Tulsa and accommodations, mentorship from songwriters and record label executives, recording time, and more.
The two winners were selected by a global panel of top artists and songwriters, including Juliette Armanet, Patty Griffin, John Mellencamp, Carla Morrison and Nas, and judged by BDC and UMPG executives.
“Songwriters trying to make it in today's music industry need the encouragement and support this fellowship provides,” Mellencamp comments in a statement. Congratulations to Tega and Taylor for being the first two recipients and I hope they write some great songs during their time in Tulsa.
Nearly 600 works were submitted from around the world, organizers say, based on the criteria that applicants were 18 years of age or older and had not signed a publication agreement of any kind by the Fellowship's start date, May 1, 2024.
Announced last August, the fellowship will be awarded annually to two separate talents, through an initiative that identifies, mentors and develops emerging talent, doing so with BDC resources.
The selection process, explains BDC creative services director Zac Fowler, “was extremely difficult, but enjoyable all the way through.” Adds Fowler, “We're excited to welcome Tega and Taylor to Tulsa and look forward to hearing the music they've each created over the year they've spent focusing on songwriting here.”
The application window for the 2025-2026 scholarship is expected to open later this fall. For more information, visit bobdylancenter.com/songwriterfellowship.
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