We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Nancy Hope. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Nancy below.
Hi Nancy, thanks for joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?
As crazy as it sounds, I knew from a very young age that music was my purpose in this life. It was an inner knowing, that my voice was an instrument and I had so much I wanted to say. Music was always what came easiest and ignited my soul in ways I never thought possible.
The moment when I decided I wanted to pursue music professionally, was when I was sixteen years old singing in my high school choir in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. I remember this so vividly because it was in this moment I declared “this is what I want to do for the rest of my life”. I was apart of a 200 voice pop/rock choir, under the direction of Dave Tabone, that would travel every year in the United States to compete in the Heritage Music Festivals. This particular performance was our year end gala show, and I was actually fighting a fever while on stage. I recall once the spotlight hit me, the auditorium was silent and I began to sing P!nk’s song “Perfect”, I knew this is it. That song is one I hold close to my heart for that reason, and because it was such a powerful song that spoke to my teenage self who was about to embark on this journey.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Hello reader! My name is Nancy Hope and I am a 27 year-old singer/songwriter and performer hailing from Stoney Creek, Ontario, Canada. I have been playing music professionally for the last 10 years. It was the thing that came easiest to me growing up, and I can’t even put into words half the time why, it’s just an inner knowing that this is what I am meant to do in this life.
Although no one in my family pursued a career in music like myself, I would definitely consider
my family huge music lovers. My mom’s side of the family especially, were very musical and
my nonno (Italian grandfather) was someone who I shared this musical bond with all my life.
I grew up listening to classical Italian legends like Andrea Bocelli, and my dad’s classic 80’s rock playlist that featured Queen, Led Zeppelin and AC/DC. I also listened to Canadian legends like Bryan Adams and Amanda Marshall, and I instantly gravitated to their music. It was timeless, and very inspirational to me. From an early age I knew I wanted to write songs like those artists. I wanted to reach many people and have songs that could stand the test of time.
The start of my musical journey goes back to high school. I attended Bishop Ryan Catholic Secondary in Hamilton, Ontario, and it was during that time I fell in love with performing and decided I wanted to become a professional musician.
After high school, I continued my musical studies by attending the renowned Humber College
Music Program in Toronto and I had the opportunity to work with some of Canada’s finest musicians that include Rik Emmett, singer/guitarist of the successful Canadian band Triumph, and David Tyson, producer for the hit record “Black Velvet”. I completed and graduated in 2020 with a Bachelor of Music Degree in Voice with Honours.
Upon graduation, I began releasing music independently and have been writing, and performing
across the Greater Toronto Area as a solo artist and with multiple Toronto corporate/wedding bands. In 2021, I met producer/collaborator Kayla Diamond (Jeanick Fournier, Sofia Camara, Jamie Fine) and we have worked closely together over the past two years cultivating my voice as a writer and my musical identity. My singles “One In A Trillion” and “Sidelines” were both co-written and produced by Kayla Diamond.
Some of my past performance highlights include the El Mocambo, singing back up for Lorde at the
Much Music Video Awards, singing the National Anthem at the Toronto Argonauts game, and
reaching the top 100 on “Canada’s Got Talent” Season 2.
I am currently working with Canadian country singer/songwriter and producer Dustin Bird on my next single set to release in early 2025.
If I could define my music, I would describe it as stadium anthems and heartbreak ballads filled with powerhouse vocals and an inspirational message. The philosophy behind my music is simply written in my name “Hope”. I was given the middle name “Hope” due to almost fatal consequences at birth. There has been a driving force in me from a young age to make a difference, and to fight no matter what. That is why I believe it is my mission to inspire and give hope to others through my music.
What sets me apart from the crowd and what I would like people to know about me is that I genuinely want to serve people through music. For me it’s about the human connection, and about making a lasting impact in people’s everyday lives with the songs that I write. I just want to use my gift and share it with as many people as possible.
My latest single “Sidelines” released on August 30th, 2024, would have to be a particular song/project I am most proud of. This song was about a time I struggled with an eating disorder from my late teens to early twenties. I was hesitant for a while in sharing the true story behind the song, but as an artist I knew it was important that I do so. It is my job to be as honest and vulnerable with my listener because that is in fact what makes us human. Being vulnerable does not make you weak, in fact it makes you incredibly brave. I know I wrote this song from my own experience, but so many of us have known what it feels like to be on the outside looking in. This song is a reminder to myself and to others, to never stand on the sidelines again.
If you are someone who is looking for hope, look no further than Nancy Hope :)
Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?
I think this is such a great question and I’m sure so many of my fellow creatives have already experienced resistance from non-creatives in their lives. What I have noticed in my own journey, is that non-creatives struggle with understanding why I chose this path at all. Why would I put myself through the struggle of rejection, striving for a dream that has not come to fruition, late nights, years dedicated to your craft, endless sacrifices, the list goes on… it’s because I need to.
The “why” may be different for others but for myself I am dedicated to becoming my highest self in all aspects of my life and especially my life’s work through songwriting, performance and creating music that will live on after I am gone. My “why” is creating a lasting legacy and impact on the world through my music and stories I tell. Not everyone needs to understand why you chose your path, as long as you know in your heart it is true to you, then shine on!!
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
What I find the most rewarding aspect about being an artist is the mutual connection felt between myself and an audience or any listener really. When someone tells me a song of mine has brightened their day, or gotten them through a difficult time, I know I’ve done my job right. I know in my heart that it is my mission to use my gift on this earth to inspire others to be their most authentic selves. This is
what I love most about making music.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://nancyhope.ca/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nancyhopeofficial
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nancyhopeofficial
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrVYj7QMTv0JzZqji9vgpZQ?app=desktop&sub_confirmation=1
- Other: Where to find my music:
Spotify: https://artists.spotify.com/c/artist/64hUbz8YpiMQd3iTwq0bMw/profile/overview
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/nancy-hope/1536846547Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nancyhopeofficial
Image Credits
Brian Reilly
Domenic Grandoni