NW Valley Times

Students and alumni gathered at Grand Canyon University to participate in the Spring 2025 Songwriters Showcase held at the GCU Recording Studio lounge. The event displayed musical performances from both past and current students and was illuminated by vintage Edison lamps, creating an intimate atmosphere.

Jordyn Beldman performed a self-penned song titled “Who Am I,” inspired by Zephaniah 3:17. Following her performance, Beldman said, “The theme really resonated with me. A lot of times in this society, people have to constantly do something to prove their worth … as His children, that’s where we get our worth. It’s not by anything else.”

The showcase featured diverse performances, including a song by Noah Bjorkman called "I Feel Your Peace" and a collaborative piece, "Greater Things," written by students and GCU alumnus Harrison Russell. Shailen Stewart, who shared vocals on "Greater Things," expressed her excitement about the new compositions, stating, “I learned just how to embrace new ideas the most and how to collaborate on a vision with other people.”

Center for Worship Arts Director Moises Felipe explained that the showcase honored two important anniversaries for the program, including the opening of GCU's Center for Worship Arts in 2014 and the approaching 10th anniversary of the Canyon Worship albums in 2026. Felipe remarked, “We’re bringing back five alumni to co-write with 10 current students. They’ve been songwriting since January, all the way to the end of March. … Today is the first time we get to hear five of those new songs.”

Audience members witnessed performances from various alumni, including Aaron Bolton, who collaborated with students Nevaeh Watkins and Bjorkman on "Only You, Jesus." Bolton shared the significance of working with students, noting, “I feel like I’m always trying to write better, and so it’s been really cool writing with Noah and Nevaeh. They sharpen me before I sharpen them, and it’s really been fun to collaborate with them.”

Russell, who is now a worship pastor at Dream City Church, expressed nostalgia returning to the GCU campus. He commented, “It’s cool to see the way the program has changed, and it’s cool to work with them (the students) because it’s clear that they’re always writing. … When you get to your everyday, there’s not as much attention, I guess, that you put on it (your songwriting).”

The showcase concluded with performances, including “The Veil" sung by Nicole Jasperse and "Our Beloved" performed by students Zach Johnson, Angie Olson, and alumna Madison Russell. For Beldman, the showcase was not only a performance opportunity but also a chance to immerse herself in the worship arts community at GCU. She said, “It’s been really quite a blessing, because I’m just a freshman this year, to be able to put myself into the worship arts community and just befriend people here and be able to share music with each other.”