Meet Jillian Speece

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jillian Speece. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jillian , we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?

Soon after I began to talk, I started to sing. For me, singing has always been as natural as breathing; it feels like flying. As a child, I would sing while washing my hands, playing in the backyard, and I would make up songs and sing them all day long. The only time I didn’t enjoy singing was when I was asked to perform in front of others. In those moments, I would freeze, I became so terrified that I wished I could melt into the ground and become invisible.

My fear of singing in front of people was a significant obstacle, especially since I aspired to become a professional singer. Lucky for me my parents knew all about my dreams, and to help me gain confidence, they started encouraging me to sing in front of family. Despite my reluctance, they eventually coaxed me to sing in front of others by offering to sing along with me. Over time, performing in front of others became less intimidating and I started to gain more confidence.

Facing my fears on a daily basis helped me build confidence. Each day, I would practice singing in my room and I would listen to my favorite artists like Joni Mitchell, Norah Jones, Billie Holiday, Stevie Nicks, Feist, and Eva Cassidy. I would record myself, trying to mimic these great voices, and then listen back to the recordings, pushing myself to improve with each take. I am eternally grateful for those early days as these incredible artists became my greatest teachers.

In school, I pushed myself further by joining a choir. Eventually, my teacher selected me to sing a lead solo of The Beatles’ “Yesterday” in front of my entire school. This terrified me, but I accepted the challenge and practiced daily. On the day of the performance, I was so nervous I felt like I might throw up. Nevertheless, I took a deep breath and sang “Yesterday” for everyone. The experience was exhilarating. The applause was overwhelming, and despite my racing heart, I loved sharing my voice and feeling the energy of the crowd.

Singing in front of my first audience inspired me to continue practicing and pushed me to strive to be better each day.

To this day I am continually growing and learning new things and I think not only has that helped me build confidence but it has allowed me to become a better, stronger and more resilient artist. If I was to give advice to my younger self, I would say lean into the “thing” that light you up inside and run towards that with your whole being. Once you have found what lights you up keep doing the “thing” for me it was singing for you it could be pottery or dancing. Whatever it is keep practicing, keep failing forward. Failure just means you’re on the right path because if you never fail then you will never grow. So do the “thing” and keep doing it because the world really needs you and your light.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

My name is Jillian Speece, and I am one half of the indie band The Bergamot. I was raised in Indiana so that makes me a Midwesterner at heart and I have spent most of my adult life working and living between NYC and LA.

I met my husband Nathaniel Paul Hoff when I was just 15, and we quickly became high school sweethearts. A decade later, we tied the knot in what can only be described as the most magical day of my life, surrounded by 375 of our loved ones in what I like to call our love-festival.

But let’s rewind a bit… after Nathaniel and I met we started writing songs together, a passion that carried us through college and led us to make a pact to chase our dreams of becoming full-time touring singer-songwriters.

In 2010, fresh out of college we set off on a cross-country tour to promote our debut album. Breaking the news to our parents that we were going to pursue music full time wasn’t exactly smooth, but we packed up our station wagon anyways and hit the road because life’s too short not to take risks, right?

That first tour was our introduction to the music industry, and over 48 concerts later, we knew we were hooked. Since then, we’ve toured Europe three times and performed in all 50 states. Through our music and our award-winning film, “State of the Unity,” we’ve built a vibrant business dedicated to uplifting people and fostering community through our original art!

For over a decade, Nathaniel and I have poured our hearts into creating music and now into our film State of the Unity.

Together we are driven by a vision to build a more peaceful, unified and beautiful world through the power of art. We embrace the unconventional, tackle challenges fearlessly, and work tirelessly to connect with our audience through our storytelling and artistry.

The most exciting thing right now is we are working on a new album and our award-winning film State of the Unity landed a distribution deal so you can watch our film on AppleTV, Amazon Prime and Tubi.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Reflecting on my journey, I’d say the most crucial qualities that have guided me are my faith in God, my positive attitude, and my determination, So no matter what the obstacles are don’t give up. Instead of giving up, rest, catch your breath and try again once you are refreshed on the path. Too often I see people get to a road block and just give up when they could have rested, reset and figured out another way around the block.

Ohh… so for those embarking on their own journeys, my advice is this: Don’t take criticism from others too seriously. It’s important to acknowledge it, but then move on. Avoid dwelling on the opinions of others, and at all costs, never compare yourself to others or their paths. I’ve learned that comparison is the thief of joy, so stay true to yourself, forge your own path, and embrace your authenticity.

Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?

My parents believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself, and this unwavering support was perhaps the most significant gift they could have given me. Never underestimate the power of belief and positive reinforcement. Whether it’s a kind word of encouragement, a reassuring smile, or simply saying, “I know this is tough, but you’ve got this,” these gestures can make all the difference.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Luke Jackson
Marc England II
Sebrina Mertz Shaw
Adam Raschka

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