From Belmont to The Voice: ‘Sisters’ in Songwriting

How two students are making their mark on the national stage while navigating college

Belmont University has long been a beacon for aspiring musicians looking to transform passion into profession. Nestled in the heart of Nashville, the university’s College of Music &  Performing Arts and College of Entertainment & Music Business offer a unique blend of rigorous education and real-world opportunity.

This year, two Bruins, junior Aubrey Nicole and freshman Ava Nat, exemplify that tradition with their remarkable journeys on NBC’s The Voice. Both songwriting majors have merged intense preparation, unwavering drive and Belmont’s close-knit community to take center stage on national television.

Aubrey Nicole: A Full-Circle Moment

Aubrey Nicole’s story begins in a small town with a big dream. From a young age, she knew she wanted to be a singer-songwriter and actress, a vision she nurtured throughout her school years despite limited local opportunities. She discovered Belmont through her mother’s devotion to country music. “My mom looked up where Trisha Yearwood and Brad Paisley went to school and kept seeing Belmont. When I got accepted, I knew it was the place I was meant to be.”

She vividly remembers her full-circle moment: “I auditioned for Belmont singing Reba McEntire’s ‘Fancy.’” Then, years later, Reba turned her chair for Aubrey on The Voice. “That was absolutely insane—a full circle, magical moment I’ll never forget. She looked stunning, with sparkling eyes tearing up—that was surreal.”

Adding to the serendipity, Nicole’s songwriting professor, Victoria Banks, authored Reba McEntire’s 2024 single “I Can’t,” which Reba performed on The Voice last year. “Knowing my professor wrote that song, and that it was performed on the same show, made me appreciate how interconnected Belmont’s community is with the industry,” Nicole shared.

Navigating her studies as a songwriting major and music minor, Nicole juggled a demanding academic schedule while flying between Nashville and filming for The Voice. She communicated often with professors, sometimes attending classes remotely from Los Angeles. Nicole credits her professors and the Belmont community for equipping her with the resilience and confidence to thrive under immense pressure — all while staying on schedule for graduation.

Her battle round was a showstopper, performing “Somethin’ Bad” by Carrie Underwood and Miranda Lambert with Cori Kennedy. Although McEntire ultimately picked Kennedy as the battle winner, she was unwilling to let Nicole go. McEntire pressed her only Save and Snoop Dog moved to steal her for his team. McEntire said, “I’m so glad that being the only one to turn during the Blind Auditions, she chose [to stay with] me. Aubrey is different. She’s sweet, she’s young, she’s got great range. I am just glad I got to keep them both on my team.”

Ava Nat: A Masterclass in Music and Collaboration

Freshman songwriting major Ava Nat has a unique talent and maturity that has set her apart even as one of the younger competitors on The Voice. Nat sees the show as an immersive master class, saying, “It was an all you need to know about the music industry, and it was just a master class the whole summer,  and you're living in it.”

She values the collaborative spirit over competition, noting how the environment fostered growth and connection. “I think being confident enough as yourself so that when you know people's critique... you're not like, ‘this is it for me, I give up,” Nat shared, noting the importance of resilience and confidence for her career journey.

For Nat, the friendships forged during grueling rehearsals and jam sessions were as meaningful as the performances themselves. Nat’s favorite moments on The Voice were the quieter ones beyond the cameras.

“The jam sessions by the pool where we’d bring instruments and everyone would harmonize were the best,” she said. “Those friendships and informal sessions meant more than even our rehearsals.”

She appreciated learning the realities of a music career firsthand. “I saw how much goes on behind the scenes that most don’t see,” Nat explained. “Even though it’s a competition, there was no hostility, only support. Everyone wanted each other to succeed.”

Balancing college and a national TV show challenged Nat, but Belmont smoothed that path. “Professors let me join classes on Zoom and helped me stay on track,” she said.

Her battle round is coming soon, after an impressive debut with “I Love You, I’m Sorry” by Gracie Abrams. This blind audition earned her three chair turns from Niall Horan, Reba McEntire and Snoop Dog, ultimately deciding to join Team Niall.

'Sisterhood' Beyond the Spotlight

The bond between Nicole and Nat extends beyond stages and studios, supporting each other through the unique pressures of school and a national singing competition. Nicole describes Nat as her “Belmont and The Voice little sister,” recalling how she guided her through the start of college amid life’s upheavals. Nat calls Nicole her “role model,” admiring her talent and the grace with which she carries herself.

Their mutual support highlights how artistic sisterhood can thrive within the pressures of national television and student life. “When I met Aubrey, I saw that I have a support system at Belmont — I already have friends. And this felt nice because I wasn’t able to be there making friends,” Nicole reflected.

Words of Wisdom for Fellow Students

Their advice resonates with students navigating their own paths. Nicole encourages a mindset of determination, sharing, “I always tell myself I can do anything. So, I have this mindset that I just need to do it, and I need to work as hard as I can.”

Nat advises perseverance and authentic confidence. “Nobody else has your sound or is the same artist as you... you just got to keep trying, and then when the time's right, it'll happen for you.” Both stress the significance of seizing opportunities and embracing support systems, hallmarks of the Belmont community.

As both Bruins continue to balance student life and national television, their journeys on The Voice are still unfolding. Stay tuned for what’s next as Aubrey Nicole and Ava Nat represent Belmont University on a national stage.