Where were you at in your music career when you had your first child? Was there much discussion about how that life choice would affect your career within the music/entertainment industry?

I was pretty early into my career in the music industry when I was thinking about having my first child. I was so concerned about how it would affect my career- I had finally started to build momentum, get my own clients, and basically was starting to feel like I wasn't totally new.

I was also the first person at my law firm to take parental leave, so there was a lot of discussion - between my partner and me, and my firm and me - about what this would look like. I wanted to take a full maternity leave, and unplug from emails, but there was no blueprint for this on the work side and it felt like a huge risk on the business development side.

As a working parent in the music industry, what are some of the biggest challenges you face or have faced?

Trying to unplug completely when I'm with my kids can be a challenge for me, as I'm used to being always available to my clients. My kids are 1 and 4, and wake up at 6, so it's a big undertaking to attend late night industry events! Also I just went to the Junos with my 1 year old as I am still nursing. It was so exhausting and hard, but I didn't want to cut nursing short nor miss another Junos. 

What is one change (big or small) within the industry that could make a positive impact for working parents?

Create more of a space for parents, caregivers, and families. The industry can be quite un-family-friendly, which at times feels isolating - can we have more industry events that incorporate families? For instance, daytime or early evening Xmas parties with pictures with Santa?

How do you find support and community with other working parents in or out of the music industry?

In the industry has been a bit hard, but am meeting more and more parents. Outside the industry, we have our group of daycare and neighbourhood parents who are our village.

What’s one specific example of an organization/venue/company doing something great to help support working parents?

Women in Music Canada! I reached out to Robyn before the Junos to ask for travel advice (specifically a way to get around without having to lug my car seat from Toronto to Vancouver). She immediately found me access to a car seat while there (thanks to another amazing music mama!!!) and also invited my toddler to the WIM brunch.

That help with the car seat and the brunch gesture both meant so so much to me. My toddler thriving with several plates of fries, her brunch outfit, and Grandma's vintage purse, while hanging out with my music friends at a fancy brunch is a memory I will cherish forever really.

What could a music event (festival, conference, etc.), do or provide to make it easier for you to participate?

Earlier events, childcare available at conferences and events, more kid-friendly events. I loved being able to take my little one to the junior Junos in Vancouver. More events like that? Even an event info/FAQ page for parents and caregivers - transportation, child friendly restaurants, cool things to visit with your kids.

Can you shout out another music mama doing great things?

There are so many!! Geneva Bokowski, Laila Biali, Robyn Stewart, Keziah Myers, Angelika Heim- the mamas who are in the trenches of potty training and sleepless nights, and those who continue to tell me I will sleep past 6 am again!