David Denofreo photo

Nicole Broughton was just six years old when she took the first step towards her future career as a music therapist by enrolling in piano lessons.

The Douglas College Music program grad remembers her mother encouraging her to take up the instrument.

“The more you practice, the better you become,” Broughton said. “I love the progress of music.”

The piano major – who is now studying Music Therapy at Capilano University – soon found that her love of music could extend to helping others after using songwriting as a form of catharsis.

“In high school, I took a music composition course and started composing my own work on the piano. It was therapeutic,” she said.

Knowing the impact music could have on feelings and moods inspired Broughton to look into music therapy as a career.

The 21-year-old formed the band The Echos with her friend and fellow Music program alum, Jess Cichos. The duo recorded their debut EP with help from colleagues in the Music Technology Certificate program.

“Our friend built a studio for herself in her basement, so we road-tripped to Kelowna and spent a week there and recorded and did a couple of videos, too,” Broughton, who plays the piano, said.

The EP is currently being mixed and mastered and The Echos plan to have it available for purchase as soon as possible.

The Coquitlam resident notes the resources at Douglas helped her reach her personal – and professional – goals.

“Every time you accomplish one thing, you just have to look forward to what’s next,” she said. “I know that I want to use music to help others the way it’s helped me.”