The Scene Room is a podcast about the people and organizations reshaping the performing arts. Hosted by Elizabeth (Lizzie) Bowman, it focuses on innovative marketing, leadership, and collaboration. Episodes explore audience trends and cultural shifts, and how artists and arts organizations connect with their communities. The show examines what it means to engage and inspire audiences in a changing cultural landscape.
Episodes
Dr. Marija Pranjić — How Music Shapes the Brain
Send us Fan MailCutting music programs doesn’t just remove a fun class, it removes a kind of brain training kids can’t easily replace elsewhere. We sit down with Dr. Marija Pranjić, a neuroscientist, music therapist, and pianist, to unpack what music education actually does for neurodevelopment and why access matters so much for equity, learning, and long-term health.We talk about how the “music c
Andrew Potter — Opera’s Broken Pay Model
Send us Fan MailWhen an opera singer contemplates turning down a Metropolitan Opera debut (for financial reasons), it raises immediate questions about the realities facing working artists today. In this episode, host Elizabeth Bowman sits down with bass Andrew Potter to unpack his recent retirement from staged opera at 43 (OperaWire). Potter shares his perspective on the industry's economic m
Royce Vavrek — The Language of Opera
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Lizzie Bowman is joined by Pulitzer Prize-winning librettist Royce Vavrek (Angel’s Bone with composer Du Yun, Adoration with composer Mary Kouyoumdjian, Lincoln in the Bardo with composer Missy Mazzoli) who grew up on a farm in Alberta, Canada, and is exploding in the international opera scene. We discuss how a childhood of country radio and the rural landscape of
Julia Starr — Translating Creative Mastery into Professional Power
Send us Fan MailThis week, we sit down with career and leadership coach Julia Starr to unpack a practical path through professional pivots. Julia isn't just a coach; she is a master of the "bold move." From her time as a Fulbright Fellow in Malaysia and a BCG consultant to her work streamlining a family sawmill business and earning an Ed.M. from Harvard, Julia has navigated the exac
Brett Egan — Beyond the NEA: Designing a Resilient Cultural Ecosystem
Send us Fan MailWhat if the most vulnerable part of U.S. arts isn’t creativity, but structure? Brett Egan, president of the DeVos Institute, joins us to unpack why public funding feels shakier than ever, how AI is making the arts more necessary—not less—and what it would take to build a resilient cultural ecosystem that can weather political swings.We trace the long arc from the NEA’s founding to
Christopher Wellbrook — Centered Under Pressure; Mental Skills For Performers
Send us Fan MailWhat if the freedom you crave onstage has less to do with the perfect high note and more to do with the state you bring to it? Today we sit down with mental performance coach and five-time national karate champion Christopher Wellbrook to unpack how elite sport principles can transform the lives of singers, musicians, and creative pros. Christopher believes fully that opera singers
Jaime Martino — Building Access, Not Barriers: The Story Behind Toronto’s Newest Performance Space
Send us Fan MailA vacant sub-basement in an affordable housing building isn’t where most people expect a new theater to bloom — but that’s exactly what happened. In this episode, host Elizabeth (Lizzie) Bowman welcomes Jaime Martino, Executive Director of Toronto's Tapestry Opera, to share the story behind the new Nancy and Ed Jackman Performance Center, a flexible black box space that seats
Kaye Kelly — Building a Sustainable Creative Career Today
Send us Fan MailWhat if your performing arts career was built to last—not just to launch? 🎭In this episode, we sit down with Kaye Kelly—Berklee College of Music professor, singer-songwriter, and author of The Modern Creative: A Practical Guide for 21st Century Artists—to explore how today’s artists can build resilient, values-driven, and financially sustainable careers.Kaye’s book doubles as a fie
Anthony Mazzocchi — Building a Music Ecosystem for All Kids
Send us Fan MailWhat if “talent” isn’t rare—and the real scarcity is time, teachers, and belief? We sit down with Anthony (Tony) Mazzocchi, Executive Director of Kaufman Music Centerand Kinhaven Music School, to unpack how raising expectations and resourcing music education can reset a community’s cultural life. Tony traces his journey from trombonist and freelancer to a decade inside a Brooklyn p
Tasha Van Vlack — The Tempo of Trust: How Consistency Builds Community
Send us Fan MailBelonging doesn’t happen by accident—it’s built in small, steady moments. Elizabeth Bowman sits down with community architect Tasha Van Vlack, founder of The Nonprofit Hive, to unpack how nonprofits and performing arts groups can move beyond buzzwords and create connection that lasts. From the loneliness many leaders face to the power of one-to-one conversations, Tasha shares a pla
Harry Hyman — Founder of The International Opera Awards: “The Toscas, Not the Oscars”
Send us Fan MailEver wondered what drives the International Opera Awards? British entrepreneur Harry Hyman takes us behind the curtain of the Awards, revealing how a passion project has transformed into a pivotal force in the opera world.The awards serve a triumvirate of purposes - distributing roughly $100,000 annually in bursaries to emerging talents, celebrating excellence across all facets of
Ruth Hartt — Flipping the Script on Arts Marketing
Send us Fan MailThe arts sector has seen a steady decline in audience attendance over the past four decades. Yet many organizations continue relying on traditional marketing strategies that speak primarily to insiders—those already familiar with their art forms—rather than reaching new, curious audiences.Ruth Hartt is challenging this paradigm with a forward-thinking, audience-first approach to ar
Matthew Loden — Inside the Shepherd School: Vision, Values, and Purpose
Send us Fan MailWhat makes a great music institution? Is it world-class facilities, exceptional faculty, or something more intangible? Matthew Loden, Dean of the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University, brings perspective from both sides of the music world—as a former professional violinist and as a seasoned arts administrator who's led major organizations including the Philadelphia and T
Barry Shiffman — Chamber Music and the Pulse of Community
Send us Fan MailBarry Shiffman challenges the doom-and-gloom narrative surrounding classical music by spotlighting the remarkable growth of chamber music across North America. Drawing from his roles as Executive Director of the Banff International String Quartet Competition, and Associate Dean and Director of Chamber Music at the Glenn Gould School and Dean of the Taylor Performance Academy for Yo
Jennifer Rowley — The Approachable Diva: Strategy, Strength, and Community
Send us Fan MailWhen Jennifer Rowley steps onto the stage, audiences witness the culmination of meticulous preparation, physical discipline, and an authentic artistic presence that extends far beyond the footlights. But what happens behind the scenes? How does a world-class soprano navigate today's complex performing arts landscape?Jennifer's approach to her craft breaks conventional bou
Ben Dietschi — The AI Revolution in Arts Administration
Send us Fan MailThe transformative potential of artificial intelligence in arts management takes center stage in this forward-thinking conversation with Ben Dietschi, Senior Consultant at the DeVos Institute of Arts and Nonprofit Management. Drawing from his extensive experience as the former Executive Director of SoundStreams and his current project developing AI training programs for arts admini
Christian Van Horn — Voice, Power, Authenticity
Send us Fan MailChristian Van Horn joins us for a refreshingly candid conversation about the evolving opera landscape and the challenges emerging artists face today. The renowned bass-baritone, currently performing at Paris Opera (as Philippe II in Verdi's Don Carlos), shares how traditional career trajectories have dramatically lengthened, with young artists often remaining in training progr
David Lomelí — Tenor to Innovator: Shaping Opera’s New Era
Send us Fan MailWhen David Lomelí's blossoming career as a tenor was cut short by severe health issues, he didn't leave opera—he transformed how it works from behind the scenes. This conversation takes us through his remarkable journey from a naturally gifted singer in Mexico to becoming one of opera's most influential casting directors and artistic leaders.Lomelí brings remarkable
Michael Morreale — The Power of Consistency in Digital Strategy for Artists and Organizations
Send us Fan MailThe digital landscape has transformed how artists connect with audiences, but what strategies actually work in today's crowded online space? Michael Morreale, digital content producer and arts consultant with experience spanning brands like CBC, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, and beyond, offers a refreshingly practical approach to arts marketing."Our job isn't to pitch
Aubrey Bergauer — Running Your Arts Organization Like a Business
Send us Fan MailImagine doubling your audience size and quadrupling your donor base in today's challenging arts landscape. That's exactly what Aubrey Bergauer accomplished at the California Symphony by applying business principles to arts administration — and now she's sharing her playbook with us. Her bestselling book, Run It Like a Business, packs all these insights into one power
Cate Pisaroni — Reimagining How We Connect Artists with Audiences
Send us Fan MailWhat happens when arts marketers get caught in a loop of generic language like "spellbinding performances" and "timeless classics"? Cate Pisaroni, founder of Lenny's Studio and representative for artists like Joyce DiDonato, Ailyn Pérez, Christian Van Horn, Quinn Kelsey, Stephen Costello, Evan Rogister and many more offers a refreshingly honest take on wher
Alex Sarian — Relevance and Leadership in the Arts
Send us Fan MailJoin us as we sit down with Alex Sarian, bestselling author of The Audacity of Relevance and President and CEO of Calgary's Arts Commons. Sarian’s innovative approach to cultural leadership has not only transformed Calgary’s Arts Commons but also unlocked over $500 million in funding, reshaping cultural leadership across Canada. This marks the largest cultural infrastructure p
Alexander Brose — Unlocking Potential: The Power of Music Education
Send us Fan MailWith over 25 years of experience, Alexander Brose shares his unique leadership journey. He highlights the invaluable year spent shadowing his predecessor, Peter Simon. This opportunity gave him rare insights and a wealth of institutional knowledge, laying the foundation to lead the Royal Conservatory of Music through its next phase of growth.We dive into the rich history of The Roy
Michael Dobbin — Bridging Cinema and Streaming
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, we sit down with Michael Dobbin, founding director of Quiet Revolution Pictures (Canada) and Peardrop Productions (UK), and founder of JustWatchMe.TV, a platform dedicated to elevating independent films. Michael shares insights on how the platform supports filmmakers by providing visibility and helping them navigate production financing—especially in the often-over
Patricia Price — Strategic Success in Classical Music PR
Send us Fan MailJoin us for a conversation with the co-founder of 8VA Music Consultancy, Patricia Price. She shares her journey to becoming an industry leader in classical music marketing and PR. We also explore the evolving role of digital media in arts PR, the balance between traditional and digital platforms. Patricia shares insights on building a compelling artistic narrative and how blending
Chris Lorway — Arts, Empowerment, and Community Connection
Send us Fan Mail Chris Lorway, the visionary President and CEO of Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, is in The Scene Room this week. He discusses his leadership approach—empowering teams, fostering trust, and building a culture of collaboration and excellence with a shared vision and core values.Chris shares his commitment to nurturing local talent, his interest in Banff Centre’s role and commi
Ben Hoffman — Emotional Resonance in Arts Marketing Strategy
Send us Fan MailUnlock the secrets of captivating new audiences with Ben Hoffman, CEO of Square Productions. He is a change force in classical music marketing. Discover how his innovative strategies are revolutionizing the way symphony orchestras connect with younger, unfamiliar audiences by breaking free from the constraints of traditional imagery and embracing modern advertising techniques. We e
Joel Ivany — Bridging Tradition and Innovation in Opera
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Elizabeth Bowman sits down with Joel Ivany, the visionary Artistic Director of Edmonton Opera and Director of Opera at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. Joel shares his passion for community outreach and engagement, focusing on how opera can continue to resonate with new audiences.They explore the evolving landscape of audience retention, emphasizing how su
Defying Convention — Sarah Slean on Music, Inclusivity, and the Creative Process
Send us Fan MailSarah Slean, a 4-time JUNO and 2-time GEMINI-nominated performer, composer, poet, and modern renaissance woman, joins host Elizabeth Bowman in The Scene Room to share her inspiring artistic journey. From early piano lessons to arranging her own string compositions, Sarah's story is one of resilience, boundless creativity, and defying convention.In this episode, Sarah opens up
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