CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Carolina Performing Arts (CPA) at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill released its third installment of the “Artists Are Athletes / Athletes Are Artists™” storytelling series on February 24, 2026. The novel video, titled “Conductors and Coaches,” examines the parallels in leadership between elite musical directors and collegiate athletics coaches.
The project features Yannick Nézet-Séguin, music director of the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Metropolitan Opera, and the Orchestre Métropolitain de Montréal, alongside Jenny Levy, head coach of UNC Women’s Lacrosse and a four-time NCAA national champion. The video explores how both leaders cultivate environments that foster individual talent within a framework of collective excellence, emphasizing focus, collaboration, and resilience.
“Yannick and Jenny are both extraordinary at what they do,” said Alison Friedman, the James and Susan Moeser Executive and Artistic Director of CPA. “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. 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.”
Launched in 2023, the “Artists Are Athletes / Athletes Are Artists™” series aims to highlight the shared qualities that define excellence across different disciplines. Previous chapters paired UNC women’s soccer player Sam Meza with tap dancer Michelle Dorrance of Dorrance Dance, and Carolina men’s basketball with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.
Friedman explained that the latest installment specifically sought to explore leadership as a common thread. “What excites me about this chapter is the way it creates a point of entry,” Friedman said. “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.”
Levy emphasized the importance of culture in achieving success. “At Carolina, the culture we’ve built drives everything—trust, accountability, and a shared commitment to excellence,” she said. “I loved being part of this series with Carolina Performing Arts due to the fact that it highlights leadership in an unexpected way. not coach to coach, but leader to leader. It reinforces something we believe deeply in our program: the principles that drive championship performance are universal.”
Nézet-Séguin echoed Levy’s sentiments, drawing parallels between leading an orchestra and 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 stated. “I’m grateful to Carolina Performing Arts for creating space where the worlds of arts and athletics can meet and reflect each other in such a powerful way.”
Filming for “Conductors and Coaches” took place in November 2025, during Nézet-Séguin’s visit to Memorial Hall with The Philadelphia Orchestra and with Levy and the UNC Women’s Lacrosse team at the Bill Koman Practice Complex. The project was produced by CPA in collaboration with Raleigh-based creative agency Myriad.
Previous chapters in the series have received recognition at the American Advertising Awards for cinematography, editing, and original music. The full “Artists Are Athletes / Athletes Are Artists™” collection, including “Conductors and Coaches” and accompanying content such as a Q&A with Levy, is available at carolinaperformingarts.org and across CPA’s digital platforms.
