Leadership in Harmony: Philadelphia Orchestra’s Yannick Nézet-Séguin Featured in Carolina Performing Arts’ “Artists Are Athletes” Series

Chapel Hill, N.C. – Carolina Performing Arts (CPA) has released the third installment of its “Artists Are Athletes / Athletes Are Artists™” video series, exploring the common threads of excellence across different disciplines. This chapter, titled “Conductors and Coaches,” features a compelling conversation between Yannick Nézet-Séguin, music director of the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Metropolitan Opera, and the Orchestre Métropolitain de Montréal, and Jenny Levy, head coach of the University of North Carolina (UNC) Women’s Lacrosse team.

Shared Principles of Leadership

The video highlights how both Nézet-Séguin and Levy approach leadership with a focus on preparation, collaboration, resilience, and a shared vision. Alison Friedman, the James and Susan Moeser Executive and Artistic Director of CPA, emphasizes the natural synergy between the arts and athletics at UNC, stating, “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.”

A Series Exploring Excellence

Launched in 2023, the “Artists Are Athletes / Athletes Are Artists™” series aims to break down traditional boundaries between the arts and athletics. Previous installments paired UNC Men’s Basketball with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and UNC Women’s Soccer with tap dance company Dorrance Dance. This latest chapter specifically focuses on the nuances of leadership.

The Intersection of Artistic and Athletic Vision

Friedman sought to explore the parallels in leadership styles by bringing together Nézet-Séguin and Levy, both recognized as visionary leaders in their respective fields. Levy notes that the series emphasizes leadership in a unique way, “not coach to coach, but leader to leader,” reinforcing the idea that principles of high performance are universally applicable.

Nézet-Séguin echoes this sentiment, drawing parallels 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 explains. He expresses gratitude to CPA for creating a space for dialogue between the arts and athletics.

Filming and Production

Filming for “Conductors and Coaches” took place in November 2025, coinciding with Nézet-Séguin’s visit to Memorial Hall with The Philadelphia Orchestra. Production continued with Levy and the UNC Women’s Lacrosse team at the Bill Koman Practice Complex. The series has previously received recognition at the American Advertising Awards for its cinematography, editing, and original music.

Where to Learn More

The full “Artists Are Athletes / Athletes Are Artists™” collection, including “Conductors and Coaches” and behind-the-scenes footage, is available on the Carolina Performing Arts website: https://carolinaperformingarts.org/.

About Carolina Performing Arts

Founded in 2005, Carolina Performing Arts is a leading multi-arts presenter and producer at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. CPA collaborates with artists from UNC and around the world to foster discovery, belonging, and community engagement through live performance. They likewise invest in the development of new creative work and expand access to the arts, offering $11 tickets to all K–graduate students statewide.

About Yannick Nézet-Séguin

Yannick Nézet-Séguin is a globally recognized conductor leading prestigious musical institutions. He is known for his dynamic presence and ability to guide artists toward a shared artistic vision.

About Jenny Levy

Jenny Levy is a Hall of Fame coach and a highly accomplished leader in collegiate athletics, having built a premier program at UNC based on preparation, trust, and collective purpose.