Coaching is a radical act of inner discovery. I have seen it change artists' lives. It has changed mine.
As a Juilliard-trained oboist I have performed with top orchestras in venues around the world. In spite of whatever success I found as a musician, I struggled with a sense of purpose, imposter syndrome, and burn out. As I sought help, I looked around and noticed just how many other creatives were struggling too. Then I found coaching. In my own coaching practice, I feel called to serve artists who want to explore how to cultivate a sustainable and joyful creative practice, regardless of discipline.
I believe…
in the power of creativity to transform the world
that artists can be compelling agents of change
that the creative impulse is a strong force for good for both the outside world and the creator themselves
that coaching—specifically the asking of powerful and effective questions—can help the artist learn to nurture their creative impulse, overcome creative block, set personal and professional goals, and more.
every artist is capable and whole
I have led hundreds of artists in a journey of creative recovery and discovery in my Artist’s Way Creative Cluster groups in an effort to debunk the tortured artist stereotype once and for all.
I have completed 100+ hours of one-to-one coaching so far and am a Certified Start with Heart Facilitator through Graydin. My podcast, Artists for Joy, was named an Award of Excellence Winner in the 2022 Communicator Awards, and it seeks to provide a much needed outlet for artists to explore topics of personal development.
Natalia Temesgen, Playwright and TV Writer
“I began working with Merideth after coming off of writing and producing a season of TV for over a year. It was lucrative and stimulating but draining. It left me feeling insecure about my ‘why.’ Right off the bat, Merideth listened with an intuitive ear. She asked me the right questions. We discussed actionable steps. Soon, I was in the driver’s seat of my career, operating from a mindset of possibility rather than survival. While these are issues I have historically brought to therapists with some success, working with a coach who herself is a multidisciplinary artist has been a unique gift.
Syneva Colle, cellist
“Signing up for personal coaching with Merideth is one of the best things I've ever done for myself as an artist! She brought warmth, enthusiasm, and wise insights to every single session. She has helped me to recover a joyful confidence in music-making that I've honestly been missing for years. Thank you, Merideth - for setting me on the path away from shame and toward creative flourishing!'“
I would love to be your guide as you seek creative freedom and joy.
Your discovery session with me is free! Then, you can purchase coaching on a sliding scale:
$80-150 per hour sliding scale
$150 PROFESSIONAL RATE for those living comfortably. The Professional Rate helps us offer lower prices to artists who could not otherwise afford coaching.
$100 BASE RATE for those with a regular income, but are not able to cover the entire cost of coaching.
$80 SUBSIDIZED RATE for those with a lower income, who are finding it challenging to make ends meet.
Limited Time Package Discounts:
3 sessions for $425
6 sessions for $835
12 sessions for $1600 (monthly check-ins)
Payment is due before first session begins via Zelle, Paypal, or Venmo.
All sessions are currently offered via Zoom only.
questions? Just ask! Hello@artistsforjoy.org
SPECIAL Birthday Reflection Session—$80
These Zoom sessions are designed for you to mark another trip around the sun with intentional reflection and inspire loving action for the year ahead. A week before your scheduled appointment, I will send a digital values sorting exercise which we will discuss together in your coaching session. I'll also offer a few questions to shape a discussion looking back since your last birthday and looking forward to the year ahead. Please book within a month of your birthday. Birthday Reflection Coaching Session Cost: $80 for 50 minutes (Due to the already discounted price, these sessions are not offered on a sliding scale.)
Your Coach and Advocate
Dr. Merideth Hite Estevez is a creative catalyst, inviting all to the joy of creative expression through her writing, coaching, and performing. As an oboist, Merideth has performed with top orchestras in the US and abroad, including the Met Opera and PhillyPops, and is currently the English hornist/Second Oboe of the Chamber Orchestra of NY. She has served on faculties of numerous universities and schools of music, most recently as Associate Professor of Oboe at the University of Delaware. Her education has taken her all over the world—Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, Yale School of Music, Fulbright Scholar to Germany, and The Juilliard School, where she received her doctorate in oboe.
She has been a featured speaker at Google, Longy School of Music, ShePodcasts LIVE, Hope*writers, Music Institute of Chicago, and more. As a coach, she has helped thousands of artists overcome creative block through her popular online creative recovery clusters and has served as an executive coach for all types of arts leaders, from major museum directors to deans of conservatories and art schools.
Dr. Estevez’s award-winning podcast, Artists for Joy, was in the top 250 podcasts in the US in the Self-Help category in January 2023 and is currently top 1.5% of podcasts worldwide. Her first book, “The Artist’s Joy: A Guide to Getting Unstuck, Embracing Imperfection, and Loving Your Creative Life,” debuts in Spring 2024 from Broadleaf Books.
Originally from South Carolina, Merideth now resides in Metro Detroit, Michigan, with her husband, Rev. Edwin Estevez, daughter Eva, and son Eli.
“Merideth asked many thought-provoking questions that helped facilitate discussion and discovery about everything... The sessions were so helpful; providing me with the springboard I needed to start exploring the more undeveloped parts of not only my character but my professional career as well.” ”
“Merideth is everything you could hope for in a coach: smart and insightful, a deep listener, an invested accountability partner, and a powerful advocate. With grace and joy she will help you find your way to your most creative, purposeful and, yes, joyous life. ”
More from Merideth…
“Creativity has the power to heal and inspire Us all,
especially artists.”
podcast
Join me as I seek to debunk the "tortured artist" myth and explore how the creative life can bring us deep satisfaction, healing and even joy. New episodes go live every Friday on our website or wherever you get your podcasts.
“The info on Artists For Joy is beams of white hot light, burning callouses away from the skin of my damaged soul, bringing healing and comfort. Shining light in the darkness of my heart. So grateful for this podcast.”
Talks and Workshops
In person, online, and everything in between, I love to create space for groups to explore deep topics that substantially impact artists and all people. I have designed and led interactive workshops for arts organizations, higher ed institutions, and spiritual communities throughout the world and I’d love to learn your specific community’s needs so I can serve you, too.
Recent workshops include: Mindfulness for Artists, Tuning your Inner Dialogue, Creativity as a Spiritual Practice, How to Study the Arts without Eventually Hating It, to name a few. Reach out to learn more.
“The workshop with Merideth was the only Zoom call that held my attention 100% of the time!”
Courses and Curriculums
I facilitate a bi-annual “Artist’s Way” Creative Cluster, a book group which creates community around the seminal text of Julia Cameron about creativity as a spiritual practice. Learn more and register.
I am also currently creating more materials and courses for artists, institutions, and spiritual communities and I am looking forward to sharing those with the world soon. Join our mailing list to be the first to know when my newest material goes live!
“The Artist’s Way Cluster with Merideth allowed us to slowly open up with each other and share stories of dreams and struggles. It is rare to find that openness in the world, and Merideth’s willingness to be that way, in addition to her excellent workshop organization, helped spur us on to more openness as well. It is a class that resonates for a long time after the final meeting.”
Looking for daily inspiration? Join the convo on Instagram.
@artistsforjoy
