Artists & Athletes: UNC Leaders on Leadership – Nézet-Séguin & Levy
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Carolina Performing Arts has unveiled the latest installment of its thought-provoking storytelling series, “Artists Are Athletes / Athletes Are Artists™,” continuing its exploration of the surprisingly common ground between seemingly disparate disciplines. The newest chapter, titled “Conductors and Coaches,” offers a compelling look at leadership through the perspectives of Yannick Nézet-Séguin, the internationally 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, released on , doesn’t simply juxtapose the worlds of orchestral music and collegiate athletics. it delves into the core principles that drive excellence in both. It illuminates the symmetry of elite leadership, revealing how focus, collaboration, resilience, and vision transform individual talent into collective success.
“Yannick and Jenny are both extraordinary at what they do,” says 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.” Friedman emphasizes that the series, and this chapter in particular, is a natural fit for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where both the arts and athletics thrive at the highest levels.
A Series Rooted in Shared Qualities
Launched in 2023, “Artists Are Athletes / Athletes Are Artists™” was conceived to challenge traditional boundaries and reveal the unexpected connections between seemingly unrelated fields. The series debuted with a pairing of UNC Men’s Basketball and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, followed by a collaboration between UNC Women’s Soccer and tap dance company Dorrance Dance. Each installment has sought to illuminate the grit, focus, and creativity that define excellence, regardless of the discipline.
For “Conductors and Coaches,” Friedman specifically sought to explore the often-overlooked element of leadership. Bringing together Nézet-Séguin and Levy was a deliberate choice, recognizing their impact extends far beyond their respective arenas. Nézet-Séguin is recognized as one of the world’s most dynamic conductors, and has a long-standing relationship with Carolina Performing Arts. Levy, meanwhile, is celebrated as one of the most accomplished coaches in collegiate athletics.
“At Carolina, the culture we’ve built drives everything—trust, accountability, and a shared commitment to excellence,” says Levy. “I loved being part of this series with Carolina Performing Arts because 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 echoes this sentiment, drawing parallels between the demands of leading an orchestra and the challenges faced by a coach. “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. “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. When those boundaries soften, we can see how deeply connected our pursuits truly are and how much we can learn from one another through that exchange.”
Behind the Scenes of “Conductors and Coaches”
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 during practice at the Bill Koman Practice Complex. The project was produced by CPA in collaboration with Raleigh-based creative agency Myriad.
The series has already garnered recognition for its artistic merit. Previous chapters received top honors at the American Advertising Awards for excellence in cinematography, editing, and original music, underscoring the project’s commitment to visually compelling storytelling.
“What excites me about this chapter is the way it creates a point of entry,” Friedman says. “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. The arts are such a powerful tool for that. They allow us to break down silos without forcing the conversation, simply by letting people see, feel, and recognize something familiar in a new context. That moment of recognition matters, because it expands how we understand the world, and how we understand each other.”
“Conductors and Coaches” joins the full “Artists Are Athletes / Athletes Are Artists™” collection online at carolinaperformingarts.org, where viewers can also find behind-the-scenes footage and a Q&A with Jenny Levy.
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. The organization collaborates with artists from across the campus and the world to foster discovery, belonging, and community through live performance. CPA invests in the research and development of new creative work, having commissioned 80 productions in its first 20 years, and works to 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 who leads some of the world’s most prestigious musical institutions. He is known for his energetic performances, emotional connection with audiences, and long-term artistic relationships.
About Jenny Levy
Jenny Levy is a Hall of Fame coach and one of the most accomplished leaders in collegiate athletics. She has built a premier program at UNC Women’s Lacrosse through preparation, trust, and a commitment to collective purpose.