Impact Founder Podcast: The Stories that Built Us
Episode Title: Resilience in the Performing Arts

Show Notes:
Welcome to the Impact Founder Podcast: The Stories that Built Us. Your hosts, Travis Bockenstedt and Kristin Darga, take you behind the scenes of resilience, creativity, and innovation in the performing arts. In this episode, we explore how musicians and arts organizations are adapting, thriving, and redefining their industries in an ever-changing world.

Featured Guests:

• Devin Patrick Hughes – Artistic Director & Conductor, Symphony of the Rockies and Boulder Symphony & Music Academy

• TerryJosiah Sharpe – CEO, Anthem Music Enterprises, musician, educator, and advocate for mental wellness

• Dr. Christine Guptill – Associate Professor, Occupational Therapy, University of Ottawa; Vice Chair of Research, Performing Arts Medicine Association

Devin Patrick Hughes is a visionary orchestral and operatic conductor known for his commitment to music accessibility, artist development, and community-driven programs. As the Artistic Director & Conductor of Symphony of the Rockies and Music Director of Boulder Symphony & Music Academy, Devin has redefined what it means to be a leader in classical music.

Key Discussion Points:

• Defining resilience in the performing arts and personal experiences shaping his leadership.

• The entrepreneurial approach to orchestral music and how artists can take control of their careers.

• Lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on audience engagement.

• The importance of community engagement in the survival of performing arts.

• Building a sustainable career in classical music as industry trends evolve.

• The future of orchestras, opera, and live performance—what’s next?

Next up: We’ll hear from TerryJosiah Sharpe, a combat veteran and musician using music as a tool for healing and social impact. Stay with us!

TerryJosiah Sharpe is a musician, educator, and CEO of Anthem Music Enterprises, where he empowers independent artists to create, inspire, and entertain. His work centers on music as a transformative tool for mental wellness and healing.

Key Discussion Points:

• How music has personally helped him overcome life challenges.

• The biggest barriers independent artists face and solutions for success.

• Music as a tool for mental wellness in today’s global mental health crisis.

• The power of community leadership in the arts.

• Using music to advocate for domestic violence awareness and healthy relationships.

• Future innovations in the music industry for mental health and social impact.

Coming up: Dr. Christine Guptill joins us to discuss occupational therapy, musicians’ health, and building resilient careers in the performing arts.

Dr. Christine Guptill is an expert in occupational therapy, specializing in musicians’ health and work disability prevention. As an Assistant Professor at the University of Ottawa and Vice Chair of Research for the Performing Arts Medicine Association, she brings a unique perspective on resilience in the arts.

Key Discussion Points:

• Physical and mental recovery strategies for musicians post-performance.

• The challenges of performance pressure and maintaining well-being.

• The role of resilience in injury recovery and career longevity.

• Industry pressures on musicians’ mental health and ways to provide support.

• Lessons from musicians that apply to broader life challenges.

• Mindset shifts and habits for sustaining long-term careers in the arts.

In this segment, our three guests discuss resilience through different lenses—health, business, and performance.

Key Discussion Points:

• How resilience manifests in orchestral leadership, independent artistry, and musicians’ health.

• Using music as a force for change beyond performance.

• Strategies for preventing burnout, financial instability, and creative fatigue.

Final Takeaways & Resources:

• Follow Devin Patrick Hughes at Symphony of the Rockies and Boulder Symphony.

• Connect with TerryJosiah Sharpe and learn more about Anthem Music Enterprises at Anthem Music.

• Connect with Dr. Christine Guptill’s research at the University of Ottawa.

Thank you for joining us on Impact Founder Podcast: The Stories that Built Us! Be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and follow us for more inspiring stories of resilience and innovation.