Chapel Hill, N.C. – Carolina Performing Arts has unveiled the latest installment of its compelling storytelling series, “Artists Are Athletes / Athletes Are Artists™.” This ongoing project explores the common threads of dedication, discipline, and leadership that define excellence across seemingly disparate fields. The newest chapter, titled “Conductors and Coaches,” offers a unique perspective by bringing together two prominent figures: Yannick Nézet-Séguin, the acclaimed music director of the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Metropolitan Opera, and the Orchestre Métropolitain de Montréal, and Jenny Levy, the highly successful head coach of UNC Women’s Lacrosse, a four-time NCAA national champion.
The video illuminates the parallels in elite leadership, demonstrating how a shared focus, collaborative spirit, resilience, and a clear vision can elevate individual talent to achieve collective success. Alison Friedman, the James and Susan Moeser Executive and Artistic Director of Carolina Performing Arts, explains the impetus behind the series, stating, “Yannick and Jenny are both extraordinary at what they do. Each of them understands how to shape a culture, how to bring individual talent into alignment, and how to create the conditions for collective excellence.” She further emphasized the natural synergy of pairing the arts and athletics at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where both thrive at the highest levels.
Launched in 2023, “Artists Are Athletes / Athletes Are Artists™” has previously paired UNC Men’s Basketball with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and UNC Women’s Soccer with tap dance company Dorrance Dance, consistently highlighting the grit, focus, and creativity inherent in achieving mastery. This latest chapter specifically delves into the crucial element of leadership, seeking to understand how it manifests in both artistic and athletic realms.
Friedman sought to explore the connection between the arts and athletics through the lens of leadership, ultimately choosing Nézet-Séguin and Levy as exemplars. Nézet-Séguin, recognized as one of the world’s most dynamic conductors, has a long-standing relationship with Carolina Performing Arts. Levy, meanwhile, is celebrated as one of the most accomplished coaches in collegiate athletics.
Exploring Leadership Across Disciplines
“At Carolina, the culture we’ve built drives everything—trust, accountability, and a shared commitment to excellence,” says Levy. She expressed her enthusiasm for participating in the series, noting that it highlights leadership in an unconventional way – “not coach to coach, but leader to leader.” Levy believes this approach reinforces a core principle of her program: the principles that drive championship performance are universally applicable.
Nézet-Séguin echoes this sentiment, drawing parallels between orchestral performance and the principles of effective leadership. “In an orchestra, every musician brings a distinct sound, and my role is to support and facilitate that individuality flourish whereas allowing everyone to breathe and move as one,” he explains. He expressed gratitude to Carolina Performing Arts for creating a space where the worlds of arts and athletics can intersect and learn from one another, recognizing the profound connections between their respective pursuits.
Filming for “Conductors and Coaches” took place in November 2025, coinciding with Nézet-Séguin’s performances with The Philadelphia Orchestra at Memorial Hall. Production continued with Levy and the UNC Women’s Lacrosse team during practice sessions at the Bill Koman Practice Complex. The Philadelphia Orchestra’s visit to Chapel Hill, scheduled for November 4–5, 2025, will feature works by Beethoven, Brahms, William Grant Still, and Jennifer Higdon, with Emanuel Ax joining them on November 4, as reported by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Events Calendar. Learn more about the Philadelphia Orchestra’s visit.
Previous chapters of the series have garnered recognition at the American Advertising Awards for their cinematography, editing, and original music, demonstrating a commitment to impactful and visually compelling storytelling. “Conductors and Coaches” now joins the full “Artists Are Athletes / Athletes Are Artists™” collection, available online at carolinaperformingarts.org, along with behind-the-scenes footage and a Q&A with Jenny Levy.
A New Perspective on Shared Excellence
Friedman believes this chapter offers a unique entry point for audiences. “What excites me about this chapter is the way it creates a point of entry. When someone sees a shared quality—in this case, leadership—reflected in an unexpected place, it can dissolve distance and make the experience feel more accessible,” she says. She emphasizes the power of the arts to break down barriers and foster understanding by allowing viewers to recognize familiar qualities in new contexts, ultimately expanding their perspectives.
Carolina Performing Arts, founded in 2005, is a leading multi-arts presenter and producer at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The organization collaborates with artists from across the globe to foster discovery, belonging, and community through live performance. They have commissioned 80 productions in their first 20 years and are committed to expanding access to the arts, offering $11 tickets to all K–graduate students statewide.
Yannick Nézet-Séguin is celebrated as one of the world’s most sought-after conductors, leading prestigious musical institutions with his distinctive energy and artistic vision. Jenny Levy, a Hall of Fame coach, has built a premier lacrosse program through preparation, trust, and a collective commitment to excellence.
The “Artists Are Athletes / Athletes Are Artists™” series continues to provide a platform for exploring the common ground between seemingly disparate disciplines, highlighting the universal principles that drive success and inspire excellence. As Carolina Performing Arts continues to innovate, this series promises to offer further insights into the shared qualities that connect artists and athletes alike.
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