The performers will be Leonardo Ruiz, Gabriel Flores, Gloria España, Michael Figueroa, Pepe Garza, and Gabriel Gonzalez.

By invite only.

A fan of technology, Figueroa honed his musical ear for music of all genres, beats and languages by being a mobile DJ during his teenage years. Growing up with artists ranging from Jose Jose, Juan Gabriel and Vicente Fernandez, to Babyface, Brian McKnight and most recently Alicia Keys, he approached music as he heard it – in Spanish and English, in multiple genres.

He began to write and record many of his songs with the help of a small four-track recorder, and started to co-write with friends such as Octavio Gutierrez, an accomplished pianist who studied music at a conservatory in Cuba.

In 1997 his unique touch as a songwriter was tapped by Abraham Quintanilla, who at that time was launching a joint venture with EMI called Qzone Records, to write half of the CD for the group Unison on Qzone. Since then he has written songs for Jennifer Peña, Los Gallitos, Mireya, La Conquista, La Fuerza, and teen sensation Sesi, many on Qzone. Additionally, Michael has also written songs for Grammy winner La Mafia, “Objetivo: Fama” winner Anais, Rigo Luna (Machete Records) and Yolanda Perez (Fonovisa).

In 2005 Michael started working on co-writing three songs in English for the motion picture SPIN starring Fernando Carrillo and Shalim. The film is due to be released in the fall of 2006 by Universal Studios Home Entertainment. Michael also co-wrote eight songs with platinum recording artist Frankie J for his new CD Un Nuevo Dia, which shipped platinum. The debut single, “Pensando En Ti,” was co-written by Michael and recently hit No. 13 on the Billboard Latin charts.

Michael is currently busy at work writing songs for artists Xtreme, Miky Bad Boy,Mayra Veronica, Amanda Coral, Ness Bautista and Dominic Marte.

“I think the future of Latin music is more exciting than ever,” says Figureoa. “The innovation that is happening across the genres is bringing a new freedom to creators like myself – as well as the artists. Now is the time when artists, musicians, producers and writers are willing to break the mold like never before. It’s given someone like myself the green light to write songs that represent the future of music vs. what is being played on radio right now.

“My vision has always been to innovate; why can’t I mix a classic song like ‘El Reloj’ with rap? Then came Akwid. Why not fuse cumbia with reggaeton? Then came Calle 13. Why not fuse bolero with hip-hop, ranchera with rock, bachata with r&b, and do it in English and Spanish. A bilingual approach. Why not? It’s an exciting time – I’m part of a new generation in music and it’s really exciting to me. It’s my home.”

by Andrea Pelser

The winners will be honored at an awards ceremony on May 31 at the BMI New York office. Attendees expected at the cocktail reception and presentation include scholarship founder Yoko Ono, as well as scholarship judges Suzan Jenkins, RIAA Senior Vice President of Marketing, legendary record producer Arif Mardin, and multiple Tony Award-winning musical theater composer Maury Yeston.

The winners of the 5th Annual John Lennon Scholarship Awards are congratulated by judges and BMI Foundation officers. Seen here after the presentation are (front row): Honorable Mention winner Courtney Dashe, Second Place winner Liz Pappademas, Second Place winner Adrian Gordon, First Place winner Michael Figueroa, Second Place winner Bora Yoon and Honorable Mention winner Jena Eisenberg. (Back row): BMI's David Sanjek, Lennon Scholarship administrator; BMI theatre composer Maury Yeston, scholarship judge; BMI's Ralph Jackson, BMI Foundation president; consultant Suzan Jenkins, scholarship judge; and legendary record producer Arif Mardin, scholarship judge.

Established in 1997 by Ono in conjunction with the BMI Foundation, the John Lennon Scholarship Awards recognize the talent of young songwriters between the ages of 15 and 24. Over $80,000 in scholarship money has been awarded over the past five years to students from music schools, universities, youth orchestras and submissions from the Music Educators National Conference (MENC).

BMI's Samantha Cox congratulates First Place winner Michael Figueroa

The BMI Foundation, headed by BMI’s Ralph Jackson, Assistant Vice President of Classical Music Relations and Director of the BMI Student Composer Awards, was founded in 1985 by former BMI Senior Vice President Theodora Zavin as a non-profit corporation dedicated to encouraging the creation, performance and study of music through awards, scholarships, commissions and grants.

Winners Jena Eisenberg, Courtney Dashe and Bora Yoon

Michael Figueroa

Adrian Gordon

Liz Pappademas

Bora Yoon

Courtney Dashe

Jena Eisenberg