Hopper, one of five finalists and 41 contestants in the eight-year-old contest, won with her jazz composition, "Ring Around The Moon."

"It was an honor just to be up there," Hopper said. "I really admire the other performers that were there."

Hopper has lived in Alaska since 1985. She said she taught herself the guitar while in college, and began performing in the mid 1970s. She has since produced five CDs, and is working on a sixth. Her music is available at CDbaby.com, and at Barnes & Noble in Anchorage.

Each year, the winning song gets airplay on public radio member stations, and the winning songwriter gains more clout in their musical career. Hopper's song, as well as the songs of the four finalists, are available online at aprn.org.

All proceeds from the contest and concert support public radio in Alaska. This year the contest raised more than $10,000.