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Austin And Liz Turner Subvert Competition With Compassion
New York City-based artist couple Austin and Liz Turner discuss the wonders, challenges, and fascinating complexities behind working with our loved ones to create art and support one another's creativity.
By Betsy Podsiadlo | 1/31/24
Liz and Austin Turner are a powerhouse couple of two rising stars in their respective sects of the performing arts industry in New York City. They own and operate East Side West Side (ESWS) Music Together, an educational, curriculum based program for families and young children. Both are also professional singers in a church choir on Park Avenue. In this month’s issue of Art Grove Newsletter, we are grateful to Austin and Liz for offering their unique perspectives on working in the same industry as one’s life partner, maintaining a professional and personal relationship, and making it in New York City.
Independently, Austin is pursuing a career in Music Theatre, performing on cruise ships, in regional theater, and playing shows in piano bars. He also teaches private music lessons, hosts the true-crime podcast “Too Good to be True Crime,” and writes original songs. Liz meanwhile focuses on leading as the Director of ESWS Music Together, managing the instructors and teaching 20-plus classes per week on the East and West sides.
Working in the same industry, though in different sectors, Austin and Liz play to each other's strengths and work together to help one another succeed. In the Big City, they work as a team to progress together as artists and business owners.
“Whenever I’m trying to book something, Liz is there reading for my auditions and she’s giving me some feedback because Elizabeth is like a musical theater encyclopedia,” says Austin. “Liz and I are lucky in that the work that we do is not the same side of the coin. It really works for us and our relationship in general. Our brains work very differently, so we end up handling different sides of tasks.”
When it comes to Liz’s focus on running ESWS Music Together, she counts on Austin to run their business’ studio space, where he also teaches private lessons.
“We are different humans and we each bring different strengths,” says Liz.
Working and living as a team provides its own set of challenges. While Liz and Austin are very passionate artists and business people with complementary strengths, making big decisions creatively or regarding their company can cause discourse.
“We’ve had to navigate having conversations particularly about the business––which we own together––where it can sometimes be hard to remember that everyone is on the same team,” says Austin. When this happens, Austin and Liz mention that they both take a beat to remember how important their relationship is and return to the conversation saying “Ok, we’re doing this together.”
“Even if we’re not thinking about approaching the end goal in the same way, we still have the same end goal,” says Liz.
Liz and Austin emphasized giving one another grace as they explain their ideas, processes, and thoughts when it comes to crossroad decisions. They also were sure to mention that working together doesn’t necessarily equate to quality time that helps maintain their relationship. Since they’re both musicians, they do their best to make time to see shows together in the city, jam with family and friends, and even find time to sing together for fun as often as possible. Liz shared that there are times when they’ll invite friends over for dinner and drinks. Austin will open up his iPad on those occasions and sit down at the piano, and they’ll make time to sing for the joy of it.
“Something hard to remember is that we’re making music because we love to do it and because it’s fun,” says Liz.
After living and working in New York City for 6 years, Liz and Austin share some advice they wish they had received when they were first starting out.
“It’s easy to say be nice to everybody because it will do good for you, but it’s also about maintaining a relationship with everyone you work with,” Austin says. He explains that while this industry is all about who you know, that doesn’t necessarily mean chasing the big names. Austin advises prioritizing building genuine relationships with everyone you work with and keeping up with projects created by your peers.
“Work and gigs and jobs have come far more from who we know than we thought in the past. It’s not just being nice to people, it's about being genuinely interested in them and what’s going on.” Austin says.
Liz advises letting go of the idea of perfectionism as a superpower. “This really competitive, perfectionist idea and system can tear you down,” she says.
Limit your time spent comparing yourself to others as it can cloud your vision when it comes to all the value you bring to the world as an artist. Liz says, “Ask, ‘What can I offer?’ instead of ‘These are all the things I can’t offer.’”
In an industry fueled by competition, grace and teamwork are truly powerful. Liz and Austin work together to build their artistic practices and their dreams by playing to one another’s strengths and sharing in each other's struggles.
To keep up with Liz Turner
Eastside Westside Music Together
Early childhood music program on UWS & UES
Instagram: @eswsmusictogether
Website: www.eswsmusictogether.com
Liz’s personal Instagram: @lizrichterturner
To keep up with Austin Turner
Performing and Personal Instagram: @_austinturner
Too Good to be True Crime Podcast Instagram: @toogoodtobetruecrime
Website: www.austin-turner.com
