Full circle: High school competition brings rising star to Western
Songwriter Ryder James named ‘One to Watch’ by SOCAN
Western’s Don Wright Faculty of Music student and songwriter Ryder James has always loved songwriting, but the real spark came when he was seven years old. He was watching his brother’s baseball game when someone handed him a broken ukulele.
“I would write and play the most horrible sounding songs on the ukulele,” said James. “But I just fell in love with being able to create something that was mine and share my own creation with other people.”
That unwavering passion for songwriting has now garnered him national recognition as ‘One to Watch’ by SOCAN’s 2025 Young Canadian Songwriters Awards. James said he was thrilled to learned he made the list and decided to become a member of Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN).
“Since winning, I’ve been more confident. I’m getting myself out there more, sharing my songs and performing more.”
It wasn’t the first accolade James received for his songwriting talent.
He also won Western’s 2024-25 high school composition and songwriting competition in the songwriting category with his entry, “Monsters,” an indie song exploring anxiety and internal demons.
Read full article and watch "Monsters" video on YouTube (article via Western News, November 20, 2025)
Photo credit: Cynthia Fazio, Western Communications
