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 had my first child while I was working for a music publishing entrepreneur and my partner had just taken a gig at the Stratford Festival (ON). We moved there for the theatre season which was very memorable. I was working for a music publishing entrepreneur who kept me on part-time working remotely. This was many years before the pandemic and zoom wasn't even invented yet. Luckily our son was a good napper so I worked a bit during the day and evenings after he went to sleep.

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

Getting into a daycare in downtown Toronto was the biggest challenge. So many waitlists and trying to figure out if spots were opening up somewhere was like a part-time job in and of itself. It was, and still is, cost-prohibitive to put two kids through daycare. (Shout out to my mother who was living with us and helped out immensely.) However, once the kids were in daycare that allowed me to transition from one area of the music industry (clearances and royalty management) into another, diversifying my résumé by working at a record label for the first time, Six Shooter Records.

Owners Shauna De Cartier and Helen Britton are also moms so I lucked into a sweet situation where they allowed me the flexibility I needed as a single parent to stay very involved in my kids' lives in their early years. They were always supportive whenever I needed to bring a kid to work with me. They had a library of kids' DVDs and toys to keep them entertained at the office. Again, this goes back to before remote work was a thing. They also gave me extra time off when I lost my mother and one of my brothers within six months of each other. Their compassion and support has been instrumental in allowing me to grow into my current position of running the label's publishing division.

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

A subsidy for daycare and flexible hours are key for parents and caregivers. In music publishing, there are elements of the job that can be done remotely at any time of day - registrations, metadata, tagging, royalty analysis and data reporting. What matters is being accurate, thorough, and hitting deadlines. We have two team members with new babies at Six Shooter/High Priestess and they are making sure they overlap with team members on a regular basis virtually and in person, and they have impeccable track records for getting shit done. It's important to build that trust with your employer and also to put up your hand when you need a time out so team members can cover for each other and no ones misses out on important family events.

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

We didn't live in a neighbourhood with kids the same age as ours nearby so that was challenging. I found support and community through the schools my kids went to, like Givins Shaw Public School and Parkdale Jr & Sr Public School. Through arts and sports extracurriculars at local community centres like Trinity Bellwoods, and the after school music program Sistema, I met so many parents who work in the arts as well. Our kids would befriend each other through an activity and that would evolve into carpools, play dates, sleepovers, weekend BBQs and social hangs. It took a lot of the pressure off of being a single parent.

Also my hockey community, the GTHLA, a musicians' league in downtown Toronto, has been key to keeping me active and carving out time for myself. Each team performs music at the annual tourney, professionals playing alongside amateurs. It's magical and transformative, which is what drew me to the music industry in the first place.

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

Sistema Toronto with their mandate of social change through music education is doing great work. The teachers are incredible and had a huge impact on my family. As a single parent, having my daughter in this free after school program meant I could return to work full-time. The added bonus was she developed a love of music that will remain with her throughout her life. I truly believe arts education, which is often overlooked in favour of STEM, is key to nurturing a mentally healthy, compassionate and collaborative population.

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

I'm a huge fan of having a drop-off child care space within larger events, similar to what the One Of A Kind Show has. Knowing your child is in a safe space where they can craft, get their face painted, and play with other kids gives parents an hour or two to focus on themselves, take a mental break, go to a panel or take meetings.

Can you shout out another music mama doing great things?

Margaret McGuffin.