The Scene Room
The Scene Room Podcast spotlights the movers and makers redefining the performing arts—focusing on innovative marketing, leadership, and the importance of collaboration. Hosted by Elizabeth (Lizzie) Bowman, with a keen eye on audience trends and cultural shifts, the goal is to explore how artists and organizations are connecting with communities, shaping the future, and redefining what it means to engage and inspire.
Episodes
Ever 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 opera production, and perha...
The 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 arts marketing. With a unique backgroun...
What 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 Toronto Symphony Orchestras.
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Barry 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 Young Artists at Toronto’s Royal Conser...
When 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 boundaries. Rather than mainta...
The 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 administrators and organizations, Dietschi ...
Christian 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 programs well into their late thirties – a...
When 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 candor to his discussion of...
The 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 stories to media outlets an...
Imagine 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 powerful guide!
Aubrey's jou...
What 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 where arts marketing falls short – and ho...
Join 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 project in Canadian history.
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With 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 Royal Conservatory of Music and its cruc...
In 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-overlooked realm of Canadian cinema.
We al...
Join 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 business skills with creativity leads...
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 commitment to Indigenous Reconci...
Unlock 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 explore the vital transition from the ...
In 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 surveys and feedback can help transform...
Sarah 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 about resisting the commercialization...
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