Middleboro Teacher Unveils Her Hidden Talent in a Pursuit of Passion

There is always more than meets the eye.

For this Middleboro native, her students know her as Ms. Colombo, but 27-year-old Holly Colombo is now officially a singer and songwriter with big goals for 2022.

Holly Colombo is a S.T.E.A.M. teacher (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) at Wareham Elementary School.

During her senior year of high school, she enrolled in an internship that shadowed a kindergarten class, and she fell in love with teaching. After graduating from Bridgewater State University and accumulating a few years as an elementary school teacher, her free time has shifted to pursuing a passion she has had since she was little.

“I’ve always wanted to sing, but I never felt confident or good enough,” said Colombo. “My sister is a music teacher, and one day she gave me a few tips. After that, I was like, ‘Wow! I can really do this!’”

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She eventually mustered up the courage to perform at Charred Oak Tavern in Middleborough, which turned into a steady gig until COVID happened.

This year, she is ready to get back out there and is starting on a high note by releasing her very first single, written and produced by herself.

Her writing technique reminded me of Taylor Swift’s poetic story, of how Taylor would think of lyrics and write them on bar napkins, but instead of thinking them up, Colombo dreams them up.

“Sometimes when I dream, I have these really cool song lyric ideas,” she said. “The first lyrics of my song came to me in a dream. A few days later, I took out my piano, and it all flowed out at once.”

Truth be told, her current students have no idea about her hidden talent that is slowly making its way to a larger audience.

“Last year’s students found me on YouTube and they freaked out,” said Colombo.

“They would beg me to sing songs for them, but I never did,” she laughed.

Now that Colombo feels secure in her profession, she’s excited to devote her spare time to a true passion.

“I feel like I am in the groove of teaching, and I can do things for myself now,” said Colombo.

Just because you land a career, doesn’t mean you have to stop chasing your dreams.

Check out Holly Colombo’s first single, “Fear in You.”