CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Carolina Performing Arts (CPA) at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has launched the third installment of its “Artists Are Athletes / Athletes Are Artists™” series, exploring the common threads of excellence across seemingly disparate fields. The latest chapter, titled “Conductors and Coaches,” features a conversation between Yannick Nézet-Séguin, the acclaimed music director of the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Metropolitan Opera, and the Orchestre Métropolitain de Montréal, and Jenny Levy, head coach of the four-time NCAA national champion UNC Women’s Lacrosse team. The series, which began in 2023, aims to illuminate the shared qualities of grit, focus, and creativity that define high achievement, and this latest video focuses specifically on the nuances of leadership.
The “Artists Are Athletes / Athletes Are Artists™” project isn’t simply about drawing parallels. it’s about understanding how different disciplines approach the fundamental challenges of building a team, fostering individual growth, and achieving collective success. Alison Friedman, the James and Susan Moeser Executive and Artistic Director of CPA, explained that bringing together Nézet-Séguin and Levy felt natural given the unique environment at UNC, where the arts and athletics are both highly valued. “At Carolina, where the arts and athletics coexist at the highest level, it felt natural to bring those two worlds into conversation through leaders who embody that standard,” Friedman said.
Unpacking the Principles of Leadership
The series debuted in 2023 with a pairing of UNC Men’s Basketball and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, followed by a collaboration between UNC Women’s Soccer and tap dance company Dorrance Dance. Each iteration seeks to reveal the underlying principles that drive success, regardless of the arena. This time, the focus is on leadership, and how both Nézet-Séguin and Levy cultivate environments where individuals can thrive whereas contributing to a unified goal.
Levy emphasized the importance of culture in her program, stating, “At Carolina, the culture we’ve built drives everything—trust, accountability, and a shared commitment to excellence.” She added that participating in the series highlighted leadership in a unique way, shifting the focus from coach-to-coach interactions to a broader leader-to-leader exchange. This perspective, she believes, reinforces the idea that the principles of championship performance are universally applicable.
Nézet-Séguin echoed this sentiment, drawing a parallel between conducting an orchestra and leading a team. “In an orchestra, every musician brings a distinct sound, and my role is to support and help that individuality flourish while allowing everyone to breathe and move as one,” he explained. He expressed gratitude to Carolina Performing Arts for creating a space where the arts and athletics can intersect and learn from one another, noting that softening the boundaries between these worlds reveals a deeper connection and fosters mutual understanding.
A Collaborative Production and Award-Winning Series
Filming for “Conductors and Coaches” took place in November 2025, coinciding with Nézet-Séguin’s scheduled performances with The Philadelphia Orchestra at Memorial Hall. Production continued with Levy and the UNC Women’s Lacrosse team during practice at the Bill Koman Practice Complex. The video is a collaboration between CPA and Raleigh-based creative agency Myriad.
Previous chapters in the “Artists Are Athletes / Athletes Are Artists™” series have garnered recognition, receiving honors at the American Advertising Awards for excellence in cinematography, editing, and original music. The series’ commitment to compelling storytelling is evident in the full collection, which is now available online at carolinaperformingarts.org, featuring behind-the-scenes footage, a Q&A with Levy, and additional content.
Friedman believes the series’ strength lies in its ability to create a point of entry for audiences. “What excites me about this chapter is the way it creates a point of entry,” she said. “When someone sees a shared quality—in this case, leadership—reflected in an unexpected place, it can dissolve distance and build the experience feel more accessible.” She added that the arts are a powerful tool for breaking down silos and fostering understanding by allowing people to recognize familiar elements in new contexts.
Carolina Performing Arts, founded in 2005, is dedicated to presenting and producing multi-arts performances at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The organization collaborates with artists from across the globe to spark discovery, foster belonging, and build community through live performance. CPA has commissioned 80 productions in its first 20 years and works to expand access to the arts, offering $11 tickets to students from kindergarten through graduate school statewide.
Yannick Nézet-Séguin is widely regarded as one of the world’s most sought-after conductors, leading prestigious musical institutions with a distinctive presence and a commitment to long-term artistic relationships. Jenny Levy, a Hall of Fame coach, has built a premier women’s lacrosse program at UNC through preparation, trust, and a collective purpose, consistently leading her teams to compete at the highest level.
The “Artists Are Athletes / Athletes Are Artists™” series will continue to explore the intersection of these worlds, with future installments planned. Carolina Performing Arts will share updates on upcoming chapters and related events on its website and social media channels.
Share your thoughts on the series and the connection between arts and athletics in the comments below.
Worth a look
