Teaching Artistry with Courtney J. Boddie

Teaching Artistry with Courtney J. Boddie
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Teaching Artistry with Courtney J. Boddie

Teaching Artistry blends creative and educational practice in service of community building, social justice, and inspiring joy. Courtney J. Boddie, Host and Creator, chats with teaching artists and arts educators who are driving professional teaching artistry forward. Courtney and her guests discuss personal journeys, celebrate triumphs and challenges, and advocate fiercely for the arts in all communities.

  1. Episode 74, ACT 2: Hassiem Muhammad - Run Your Own Race

    1 DAY AGO

    Episode 74, ACT 2: Hassiem Muhammad - Run Your Own Race

    In Act 1, we met Hassiem Muhammad, an actor, teaching artist, and multidisciplinary creative, as he reflected on his early discovery of the arts and the experiences that shaped his creative journey. From the mentors who guided him to the unique pathways he’s forged as an artist, the conversation explored how the arts became a powerful force for self-expression and transformation in his life. It was an inspiring dive into the roots of artistry and the passion that drives creative individuals to pursue their craft. In Act 2, we pick up right where we left off and venture deeper into the questions that every artist faces. Is an artist ever truly satisfied in their work? How and when do we as artists know when it’s time to move on? Hassiem shares his perspectives on the intersection of artistry and education, reflecting on his work with a range of organizations and how their approaches have challenged and shaped his practice. The episode also unpacks the impact of his work, exploring how creativity manifests in the spaces he visits. This thought-provoking conversation is a must-listen for anyone curious about the deeper connections between art, education, and artistic purpose.

    47 min
  2. Episode 74, ACT 1: Hassiem Muhammad - Run Your Own Race

    DEC 10

    Episode 74, ACT 1: Hassiem Muhammad - Run Your Own Race

    What do The Karate Kid, Hogwarts, and Fame have in common? You’ll have to tune into Episode 74 to find out! In "Run Your Own Race," Courtney dives into an inspiring conversation with Hassiem Muhammad, a dynamic actor, teaching artist, and multidisciplinary creative whose passion for the arts has shaped every aspect of his journey. In Act 1 of this two-part episode, Hassiem reflects on the moments that ignited his love for creativity, the mentors and experiences that guided him, and the unique pathways he’s forged to cultivate his artistry. With humor, heart, and plenty of insight, this episode highlights how the arts can open doors to self-discovery, self-confidence and drive.

    50 min
  3. Episode 73, ACT 2: Nehprii Amenii - One Hundred Percent Whole

    NOV 25

    Episode 73, ACT 2: Nehprii Amenii - One Hundred Percent Whole

    In Act 1, Nehprii Amenii took us on a journey through her experiences as a New Victory LabWorks artist, emphasizing the importance of artistry, childlike wonder, and fostering harmony in the classroom. She reflected on her connection to the Alvin Ailey company and shared what it means to truly see and embrace the unique possibilities of art. Through these stories, Nehprii inspired us to rethink the role of creativity in our lives and the power of living in harmony with others. Now for Act 2: What kind of artist are you in this moment? What is your purpose as an artist? These are two big questions swirling their way through Act 2, which picks up right where we left off. In this portion of their chat, Courtney and our guest dive deeper into Nehprii’s fascinating career in puppetry and how it shapes her creative voice. As she reflects ever-so-briefly on what fuels her artistry—the pressing fear that our humanness is disappearing—Nehprii explores the essence of being an artist, how we define artistic worth, and the deeper questions that keep her art alive. This episode is a thought-provoking exploration of what it means to create, connect, and stay true to our humanity in an ever-changing world.

    52 min
  4. Episode 73, ACT 1: Nehprii Amenii: One Hundred Percent Whole

    NOV 12

    Episode 73, ACT 1: Nehprii Amenii: One Hundred Percent Whole

    In Act 1 of Episode 73: “One Hundred Percent Whole,” we welcome the one, the only, the radiant Nehprii Amenii—an educator, Teaching Artist, curriculum developer, theater director, playwright, puppeteer, and a self-proclaimed “creator of things.” Nehprii shares her journey as a New Victory LabWorks artist, exploring how her repeated invitations to the program helped shape her work both within the program and elsewhere. In their conversation, she and Courtney delve into the importance of centering artistry and maintaining a sense of childlike wonder as adults. Listeners will also hear Nehprii’s unique approach to fostering harmony within the classroom and her inspiring connection to the Alvin Ailey company, which deepened her understanding of what it truly means to be an artist.

    1 hr
  5. Episode 72, ACT 2: Judith Insell - Brimming With The Arts

    OCT 4

    Episode 72, ACT 2: Judith Insell - Brimming With The Arts

    In Act 1, we explored some jaw-dropping stats on arts access in New York City, the transformative power of the arts on emotional well-being, and why the arts deserve a place alongside core subjects like history and social studies. Our guest, Judith Insell, shared her insights on how the arts can be an economic engine and an accessible career pathway. If you missed it, be sure to catch up on that conversation! In Act 2, we get personal. Judith takes us on her own artistic journey, from discovering her passion for music at a young age to attending the prestigious LaGuardia High School and Manhattan School of Music. Through a series of serendipitous events, she found herself gigging professionally and stepping into arts administration by the age of 24. Judith reflects on the reality of supplementing her career as a musician with teaching and how her experience as a practicing artist has shaped her unique approach to arts administration today. This is a powerful exploration of the intersection of artistry and leadership.

    1h 2m
  6. Episode 72, ACT 1: Judith Insell - Brimming With The Arts

    SEP 23

    Episode 72, ACT 1: Judith Insell - Brimming With The Arts

    Get ready for a mind-blowing conversation as Courtney sits down with the dynamic Judith Insell, Executive Director of Bronx Arts Ensemble, in the first act of this two-part series. In this episode, it's all about stats, stats, and more stats—showcasing the eye-opening numbers around the lack of arts access for kids across New York City. Judith and Courtney, you’ll learn, believe that the arts should be advocated for in the same ways that subjects like history and social studies are, and they pose the question: Could and should people in positions of influence declare arts a core subject? Spoiler: the answer is YES! But their chat doesn’t stop there. They unpack how the arts uplift emotional well-being, acting as a crucial tool for human connection and mental health. Plus, Judith brings the heat with insights on how the arts are an economic powerhouse and an exciting, accessible, viable career pathway. This episode is filled with passion and advocacy for an art-filled future for young people, and you won’t want to miss a second of it!

    1h 1m
  7. Episode 71, ACT 2: Bets Charmelus - Imagination in Action

    AUG 23

    Episode 71, ACT 2: Bets Charmelus - Imagination in Action

    In Act 1, we explored Betsaleel (Bets) Charmelus’s insights on transforming learning spaces, the importance of introducing novelty in education, and the critical role of trauma-informed practices. Bets challenged us to rethink how we prepare young people for a world that isn’t trauma-informed, emphasizing that the real impact comes when educators model resilience and adaptability. These foundational ideas set the stage for a deeper conversation in Act 2, where we shift focus from the classroom to Bets’s personal journey and the systemic challenges he’s faced. In this episode, Bets shares his trajectory into his current role as CEO of ArtistYear, offering a candid reflection on the racism he has witnessed within the arts education field and in society at large. He discusses the difficulties of owning his hard-won position and title in a world that often seeks to either undervalue Black leaders. Bets also tackles the complexities of being a Black leader in a time when Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) work is gaining prominence yet facing pushback from those resistant to change. This conversation delves into the intersection of personal experience and broader societal issues, providing our listeners with a powerful perspective on leadership, identity, and the ongoing fight for equity.

    56 min
  8. Episode 71, ACT 1: Bets Charmelus - Imagination in Action

    AUG 15

    Episode 71, ACT 1: Bets Charmelus - Imagination in Action

    In Act 1 of this two-episode arc, Courtney engages in a thought-provoking discussion with educator and facilitator Betsaleel (Bets) Charmelus. In their discussion, Bets emphasizes why it’s essential for educators and facilitators to radically change traditional learning spaces. By altering the energy in these environments, we can create room for creative thinking and innovation, ultimately empowering students to think outside the box. Bets also delves into the significance of introducing novelty in a measured, incremental way during facilitation. He highlights how these small shifts can have a profound impact on student engagement and learning outcomes. The episode also explores the creation of spaces in which kids feel safe to take risks, fail, and learn from those failures—spaces that encourage exploration and experimentation as key components of the learning process. A core theme of this episode is the concept of trauma-informed practices in education. Bets challenges the notion of preparing students for a world that isn’t trauma-informed by asking, "Why do we offer trauma-informed strategies if the world doesn’t operate that way?" He responds to his own questions with a compelling idea: the power lies in modeling these practices in facilitation. By openly making mistakes, naming them, and celebrating small and big successes, educators can demonstrate resilience and adaptability. Bets asserts that when we model this work, we don’t just prepare students for the real world—we begin to change it. This episode is a deep dive into how we can equip young people with the tools they need to navigate a non-trauma-informed world and become agents of change in their own right.

    50 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
20 Ratings

About

Teaching Artistry blends creative and educational practice in service of community building, social justice, and inspiring joy. Courtney J. Boddie, Host and Creator, chats with teaching artists and arts educators who are driving professional teaching artistry forward. Courtney and her guests discuss personal journeys, celebrate triumphs and challenges, and advocate fiercely for the arts in all communities.

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