Holly Nimmons

In this episode, Ernesto Cervini sits down with arts advocate and Canadian Music Centre CEO Holly Nimmons for a conversation that weaves music, memory, and social change into one remarkable story. Born into a home where jam sessions happened beside the bassinet and artistry was woven into daily life, Nimmons shares what it meant to grow up as the daughter of legendary Canadian bandleader and educator Phil Nimmons, and how her mother’s musical brilliance shaped her just as deeply. From high school band rooms and theatre stages to activism in midwifery and national arts leadership, she reflects on the enduring power of music to shape identity, empathy, and community. The episode is a warm, wide-ranging portrait of a woman who believes in listening deeply, advocating boldly, and helping others - especially young people - find their voice in the soundscape of Canadian culture.