Shara Nova, a classically trained vocalist and self-taught multi-instrumentalist, records dazzling, shapeshifting music as My Brightest Diamond, her chamber pop band assembled in 2006. With each song written and album released, she has resisted the conventions of genre, blending elements of rock, art pop, and chamber music into a sound totally her own.

Shara always knew she wanted to be a musician. She grew up in a family of traveling evangelicals, and together they crisscrossed the country, her father leading church choirs and her mother playing organ. When Shara was a teenager, they settled in a city outside Detroit. It was the early ‘90s, and hip-hop and soul were on the airwaves. Shara listened to everything from Run DMC to Stevie Wonder to Anita Baker and K C & the Sunshine Band. After studying classical voice at The University of North Texas, she moved to New York City, where she formed My Brightest Diamond, releasing her critically acclaimed debut album, Bring Me the Workhorse. To date, My Brightest Diamond has released five groundbreaking albums, each with a different musical landscape, yet always centered around Shara's voice.

Nova recently appeared as both co-composer and featured singer on Nonesuch / New Amsterdam Records’ The Blue Hour with the string orchestra A Far Cry and co-composers Rachel Grimes, Angélica Negrón, Sarah Kirkland Snider and Caroline Shaw. The album received notable acclaim upon its release and was included in NPR’s Top 10 Albums of 202 as well as a 2024 Grammy nomination for Best Engineered Classical Album.

My Brightest Diamond's most recent release is the single “Black Sheep” coinciding with a fall 2023 tour supporting Wilco, with some select headline shows. Recording was also completed in 2023 for a new My Brightest Diamond album.

Ms. Nova can also be found writing a SubStack newsletter entitled “Songs In 4 Dimensions” where she gives insights into songwriting, creativity, and music creation.

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Photo Credit: Shervin Lainez