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Daily Inspiration: Meet Bree Nicola

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Bree Nicola.

Hi Bree, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Ever since I could remember, I have had two passions in life: Music and making a positive change to the world. I grew up in Pittsfield, Massachusetts with a very big musical family. Each family member had different musical talents and interests. My mom and dad both being musicians made it easy for me to naturally fall in love with music. Ever since I could talk, I was singing. As soon as I had the opportunity, I was singing in front of audiences in all different types of venues.

I grew up in a lower-class area, and although I never noticed it back then, I now realize that is the reason why I have that passion for change. I grew up with people of all different backgrounds and had the privilege of taking a step into their world and realizing how different it could be for the person sitting next to you. I saw the good, the bad, and all the in-betweens. Because of this, I always crave fairness for everyone. Getting to witness the negativity more times than not really shaped who I am now and lit the fire in me to fight for positive change.

I never knew my two passions could be combined until just recently. The closest I got to that was when I fell into the musical theatre world. After singing in a local singing competition and getting asked to audition for a Barrington Stage Company youth theatre show when I was 13, the rest was history. Throughout this time in my life, I was lucky enough to be an audience member to so many different types of shows. But the ones that really stuck with me is the ones that made me sit and think after. I remember that’s the feeling I wanted to give the audience when I’m on stage. I continued doing musical theatre into college where I graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.

When I was 17 years old, I was introduced to Music in Common. Music in Common is a nonprofit organization that uses music to bridge divides, empower youth, and foster understanding across diverse communities. I participated in their 2018 Amplify program. This is where they brought a group of teen musicians in the Berkshires together to reimagine and perform the songs that have been created up until that point. Not only did we get to learn these songs, but we learned about the history behind them and had open conversations about these topics that can feel difficult to talk about. This program served as a way to amplify these beautiful messages to the community. We also got to go through the same exact process as the previous programs and create our own song, record in a music studio, and make a music video which were all things I have never done before. We performed as a band throughout the area bringing hope and unity into these spaces. This is when things started connecting for me.

Ever since that program, I was given countless opportunities to continue working with Music in Common. Whether it was facilitating workshops at schools or performing on stages, I always said yes. Music in Common was different to me. It felt like such a safe space and aligned with everything I ever wanted to do. Now I am 25 years old as the Community Engagement Coordinator and singer for MIC’s touring band, and I feel like I’m living my dream. I moved to Atlanta 3 months ago to work full time for Music in Common, and it was the best decision I ever made. I now am constantly in a position of causing people to stop and think. In the state of the world we live in now, people are searching for hope and community, and Music in Common never fails to give that especially to me personally.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Growing up, I felt helpless when it came to making a positive impact on people and the world around us. I always knew I wanted to make a change for the better but struggled with finding the right tools to get through different types of people. I didn’t think someone as quiet as me could make the type of change I wanted to make, but Music in Common proved me wrong. Doing the Amplify program at 17 years old taught me that it all really starts with a face-to-face discussion with someone and being willing to listen. In the program, we went from having these deep conversations about how we see the world and its current state and we managed to turn that into a song in just a day. Some of us have never even met before the program, and we all found a way to connect finding that common ground and using art as a tool to show it. Music in Common gave me that chance to combine my two biggest passions of music and peacebuilding and now I am 25 years old getting to do this for my job and getting to witness the impact Music in Common has on communities near and far. Using the universal language of music helps people like me feel seen and heard. After struggling to use my voice at a young age, Music in Common gave me the tools to use it in a way where I feel most myself.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a singer for Music in Common’s touring band and the Community Engagement Coordinator for the non-profit organization.

Performing in a range of configurations from acoustic duo to eight piece band, Music in Common is a genre-bending collective that creatively blends Americana, Hip-Hop, and Soul. Since 2005, they have been creating impactful communities of connection between artist and audience and audience with each other. From house concerts to colleges, performing arts centers, and large festival stages, MIC has performed for thousands of people in more than 400 communities worldwide. A nonprofit organization, Music in Common has worked extensively throughout the U.S. Middle East, and Far East curating experiences for people across divides to find common ground through music and facilitated conversation. Culling from the nearly 100 songs that have come out of these programs, MIC performances leave audiences inspired, hopeful, and connected.

I am most proud of all the communities that we have visited. There hasn’t been one time where I wasn’t moved by the audience’s response to our show. It could be one person in the audience, and if they are walking out thinking and feeling some sense of hope then I feel like I’ve done my job. There is a part in our set where we invite the audience to join us singing “We Shall Overcome” which is a gospel song that is heavily associated with the Civil Rights Movement. I start this song by singing the beginning of it acapella. When I hear the audience’s voices fill the room during this part, I feel the most at peace. The togetherness and community that comes from us performing is so special and being able to achieve that in a 1–2-hour set is magical to me.

What sets us apart from others is we are not asking anyone to change what they believe in. We ask that you listen to someone that may be different and come to an understanding that we can still find a common ground despite having different opinions.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I was very shy and I had a hard time using my voice. I didn’t like to feel like all eyes were on me when I was speaking because of how I might look to others. I found myself hiding in shadows of people I looked up to. My mom always said how afraid I was of everything when I was a little girl. It wasn’t until I started singing that I felt like I finally found my voice. Whenever I sung, that’s when I wanted people to stop and listen, and they did. That was my middle ground. To be able to express myself through singing was my superpower.

I was blessed to have a group of friends that were very different from me and brought me so many life lessons that most kids wouldn’t face until later on in life. Through the struggles, we always found a way to be kids, and I know that just by knowing them made my heart grow bigger. I grew an understanding for all walks of life and grew an appreciation for being different.

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Young woman with curly hair smiling, wearing a black tank top, against a brown background.

Three musicians perform on stage: a woman singing, a man playing guitar, and a person playing percussion, with dark background.

Five people on stage, one sitting and four standing, with musical instruments and microphones, in a performance setting.

Group of five young people performing music on a city street corner, with trees and buildings in the background.

Group of six musicians performing on stage with instruments, including keyboard, guitars, and drums, in a room with colorful artwork.

Group of people posing in a gymnasium, some sitting and some standing, with a basketball hoop in the background.

Group of musicians performing on stage, with a woman singing in the center, others playing instruments and singing, stage lights overhead.

Three musicians perform on stage with instruments, one singing with hand raised, wooden backdrop, clock, and colorful decorations.

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