Local is a winner of Lennon song writing contest


Alexandria Paris Williams Courtesy photo

Alexandria Paris Williams Courtesy photo

Alexandria Paris Williams, a young musician who lives in Cornell in rural Agoura, won a grand prize in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest with her song, “No Place Like Home” in the children’s category.

She advances to the next stage of the competition.

Alexandria wrote the song last year when she was 11, together with her mother, Nitanee.

The girl performed vocals while her mom sang background and her father, Jean-Pierre Williams, played guitar.

The next stage of the competition is the public voting period. Voting is open until Mon., April 30. To cast a vote, go to online to jlsc.com/vote.php.

The John Lennon Songwriting Contest is an international competition that began in 1997.

The contest is open to amateur and professional songwriters who submit entries in 12 categories.

Past winners include Fergie, Meghan Trainor, Natasha Bed- ingfield, George Clinton, Bob Weir and Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

The contest has 72 finalists, 24 grand prize winners, 12 Lennon Award winners and one “Song of the Year.”

More than $300,000 in prizes are awarded to the winners and finalists. Song of the Year wins $20,000.

All entry fees from the contest help support the nonprofit John Lennon Educational Tour Bus mobile recording studio.

In addition to songwriting, Alexandria likes to play the guitar and saxophone. She dances and also plays soccer on the AYSO Region 4 Extras Team.

She is in sixth grade at Mariposa School of Global Education in Agoura Hills and said she plans to start her own animal rescue organization.