BMI Congratulates its 2026 Recipients of the Abe Olman and Curtis Mayfield Scholarships

BMI is proud to congratulate our talented songwriters recognized with the 2026 Abe Olman and Curtis Mayfield Scholarships. On Wednesday, June 10, BMI hosted award recipients Luisa Wilson, Camryn Quinlan, Jack & Jonah and Chloe Southern in the BMI New York office to celebrate this exciting achievement. The awardees were then officially honored at the Songwriters Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Thursday, June 11. Peter Collins was hosted in the office on Friday, June 12.

Presented by BMI and the Songwriters Hall of Fame and made possible each year by the Olman family to nurture burgeoning songwriters in honor of the career of Abe Olman, a lifelong songwriter and titan of the music publishing community, this year’s Abe Olman Scholarships were awarded to BMI songwriters Jack Becker & Jonah Cuddy, Camryn Quinlan, Chloe Southern and Luisa Wilson. The Curtis Mayfield Scholarship Award, meanwhile, was awarded to Peter Collins. Bestowed annually and supported by the Curtis Mayfield family, the award recognizes promising singer/songwriters whose work reflects the inspiration, spirit and soul of Curtis Mayfield.

Hailing from Memphis TN, Luisa Wilson is a singer, guitarist, songwriter, and pianist who makes music for the pessimistic romantics of the world. Her inner monologue takes the stage as she performs songs that showcase soulful vocals and witty lyricism. Her voice can fill a stadium while intimately expressing the meaning behind the words she is singing. A true vocalist and writer merges into one. The jazz-pop genre in which she thrives is painted with blues, soul, and modern R&B influences and comes with buoyant melodies and ethereal instrumentation.

Camryn Quinlan is a 19-year-old singer/songwriter with an old soul and a gift for storytelling. Her musical journey began when she discovered the Voice Memo app on her mom’s iPhone 4, sparking a passion for songwriting. Since then, she’s crafted niche yet relatable music that resonates deeply with listeners. With a unique blend of soulful pop, Americana, and acoustic roots, Camryn has dedicated her life to honing her craft and chasing her musical dreams.

Jack Becker & Jonah Cuddy are an LA-based producer duo blending live instrumentation with left-of-center pop, drawing from their years of study on their respective instruments. Both are recent graduates from Berklee College of Music with degrees in Music Production and Engineering. Recent cuts include Beno’s “Butterfly,” Tom Siletto’s “Adeline,” and CAJO’s “Big Money.” Collaborators include Aldae, M-Phazes, Griff Clawson & more. They currently have songs in the works with Aldae, Maeta, Syd Taylor, Ferry Townes, Beno, Maeve, and more.

Chloe Southern is a 25-year-old artist, songwriter, and producer whose music blends the raw honesty and lyricism of folk and the grit and urgency of rock. She just released her latest single “Power Trip” with a feature music video. She was the 2025 recipient of the BMI John Lennon Songwriters Award, winning with her song “Blueprints.” Chloe is from Boulder, Colorado and is now based in Brooklyn. She also shares her writing on her Substack blog, Kefi.

Peter Collins, a musician, singer, and songwriter, realized his desire to pursue a professional music career during college. He gained popularity through social media platforms like Vine and Instagram, where his music resonated with audiences and received widespread support. The most rewarding aspect of his career is witnessing the positive impact his music has on people’s lives.