Nick Phan: The Gift of Music, Belonging & a Grammy Win

He is a Grammy Award-winning tenor, curator, educator, writer, and artistic director — and someone whose work asks a question that reaches far beyond the concert hall: What does it mean to belong — to a country, to a tradition, to an art form, to yourself? In this episode of Mostly Together, I sit down with Nicholas Phan ahead of his Tanglewood program, Fellow Citizens, for a conversation about music, identity, belonging, and the power of finding your voice. Nick grew up with music as more than just an activity. It became a place to go — a source of expression, connection, and eventually, purpose. But this conversation is not just about classical music. Nick opens up about the path that led him to a life in music, the moments that shaped his sense of self, the bias and barriers that still exist in classical spaces, and what it means to keep pushing a beloved art form toward more truth, more humanity, and more room for everyone. He also reflects on the emotional weight of winning a Grammy, the people who helped shape his journey, his project Bach 52, and why music can sometimes help us feel what words alone cannot. At its heart, this is a conversation about voice — not just the voice we hear, but the voice we claim.   Explore Mostly Together — new episodes every Wednesday: 🌐  https://www.mostlytogetherpod.com/ 📺  Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mostlytogetherpod 🎧  Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mostly-together/id1871317737 🎧  Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Q2TPERHFNgnapvuOQJqSx   Connect with Nicole: 📲 Instagram & Facebook: @nicolenalepatv 📲 Podcast IG & FB: @mostlytogetherpod   Connect with Nicholas Phan: 📲 Instagram: @grecchinois 🌐 https://nicholas-phan.com/