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 will soon be a certified Start with Heart Facilitator through Graydin. I was part of the inaugural cohort of Hope*Writers coaching certification and will complete that in December 2021. My podcast, Artists for Joy, has been downloaded 17k times since its inception in April 2020, and it seeks to provide a much needed outlet for artists to explore topics of personal development.
I would love to be your guide as you seek creative freedom and joy.
Your discovery session with me is free, but each subsequent session is $150 per hour.
Book a package at a discounted rate for a limited time:
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.
Can’t afford it? Good news: I offer sliding fee scale for those without the financial means to afford coaching.
Ask during the discovery session for more details!
Dr. Merideth Hite Estevez is a spiritual space-maker for artists as a writer, coach, educator, and performer. Her podcast Artists for Joy was a finalist in the 2020 Podcast Awards and has been downloaded over 17K times since its publication in April 2020. She has led hundreds of artists in communal creative recovery and discovery with her courses and small groups through Lumina Arts Incubator, an organization she founded in 2017. Merideth holds degrees in oboe from The Juilliard School and Yale University, is a trained coach in the Graydin method, and has performed with top orchestras in the US and abroad. She has served on faculties of numerous universities and schools of music, most recently as Associate Professor of Oboe at University of Delaware. When she’s not creating or teaching, you’ll find her attempting to speak foreign languages with a southern accent while traveling with her husband Rev. Edwin Estevez, their three year-old daughter Eva, and six month-old 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
Through Lumina Arts Incubator and our partners, 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
