Where were you at in your music career when you had your first child?

When I had my first child, I wasn’t pursuing music professionally at all. For the first 30+ years of my life, I was simply a music lover and a “sing in the shower” kind of gal.

It wasn’t until my children were young that I auditioned for my first band. At the time, I was living in my husband’s hometown and looking for something that was just for me—a hobby, a creative outlet, and a way to reconnect with myself. I had always thought being in a cover band would be so much fun, and I finally worked up the courage to audition.

What I didn’t realize then was that this was the beginning of a much bigger journey. Music became a way for me to find my voice, practice having an opinion and saying it out loud, and heal some childhood wounds. After the pandemic, I gave myself a 40th birthday gift and stepped into a recording studio for the first time to record the first song I had ever written.

From there, my career as JAXXEE naturally evolved. I kept saying yes to opportunities and worked hard to learn every aspect of being an independent artist—from releasing music and creating content to booking my own shows and hiring musicians.

What changed for you when you became a parent in the industry?

For me, the journey happened in reverse – I became a parent before I entered the music industry.

When I started recording and releasing my own music, I was already balancing motherhood, family responsibilities, and a full-time career. Being a parent taught me how to manage my time, prioritize what matters, and stay resilient, all of which have been invaluable as an independent artist.

Interestingly, my experience in music also opened the door to a new opportunity in my 9-to-5 career. By combining the music industry knowledge I gained as an artist with my accounting background, I joined the entertainment team at DMCL LLP.

I love my role as business manager working with clients, supporting them and their teams as they tour around the world and grow their music businesses. It’s incredibly rewarding to be part of the industry from both the creative and business sides, and I honestly couldn’t imagine a better fit for my skill set.

One change that could make a significant positive impact for working parents in the music industry is the wider adoption of hybrid and flexible work arrangements.

The ability to work from home has been a game changer for me, especially on days when parenting responsibilities pop up, like a dentist appointment or a school event in the middle of the workday. Reducing the time spent commuting has not only lowered costs but also helped me be more productive.

At DMCL, we work from home on Mondays and Fridays and aim to be together in the office Tuesday through Thursday. It strikes a great balance between flexibility and collaboration, giving us time to connect, learn from one another, and build strong team relationships.

I’m also grateful for the flexibility in my work hours. I often don’t start my workday until 9 or 10 a.m., which helps after late-night rehearsals and school dropoffs. I often leave the office to pick up one of my children from school or an activity and then finish my workday after dinner. When my clients are on tour in Europe or the UK, this can actually work very well!

I think more flexible approaches like these would help working parents remain engaged in the industry while balancing the realities of family life, without sacrificing productivity or career growth.

Finish this sentence. Being a parent in music is…

Being a parent in music is rewarding, but I sure do miss sleeping!

I love showing my children what it looks like to work hard, follow your passion, and pursue your dreams while still being present for your family. Being a parent has taught me how to juggle a very full life: school drop-offs, hockey practices, dance classes, baseball games, grocery shopping, family dinners, work and working on my music till the wee hours of the night. I’m incredibly grateful to have a supportive husband who helps me navigate the chaos of our family’s schedule.

Now that my children are 15 and 17, they’ve become a constant source of inspiration. They introduce me to new artists, sounds, and perspectives that often spark creativity in my own work. One of my proudest moments was creating my first music video, which featured my daughter, Maddox, as the dancer. The video was a reflection of my younger self and made the experience even more meaningful.

Being a parent in music isn’t always easy, but it has made my life, my art, and my sense of purpose richer in ways I never expected.

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

My kids are older, so honestly—carpooling!

Some of the best support I’ve found has come from connecting with other parents at school pick-ups, dance competitions, hockey tournaments, and other activities. Strike up a conversation and you’ll quickly discover you’re not the only one trying to balance work, family, and everything in between.

Those connections can turn into real friendships and practical support. Chances are you’ll find another parent who would be thrilled to share driving duties or help out when schedules get hectic. It’s a win-win and a great reminder that you don’t have to do it all alone.

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

One example that stands out to me is Creative BC. Through its Amplify BC programs, it recognizes that artists are often balancing creative work with family responsibilities and specifically allows childcare expenses as an eligible project cost for activities like recording and video production. Seeing childcare acknowledged as a legitimate business expense sends a powerful message that parents belong in the music industry and deserve support to participate fully.

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

As both an artist and someone who works in the music industry, one thing that would make participation easier is having event schedules, performance times, and important details communicated as far in advance as possible. Between my fulltime job, my music career, and my family’s commitments, planning is everything.

My children are 15 and 17 now, so childcare isn’t my biggest challenge. It’s coordinating busy schedules and finding enough hours in the day. Events that help artists plan ahead make it much easier to balance work, family life, rehearsals, and performances.

I also appreciate festivals and events that include all-ages programming. As my kids have gotten older, it’s become meaningful to share my music journey with them, and being able to bring them to a show helps them feel connected to this important part of my life.

What advice would you give to someone in music who’s thinking about becoming a parent?

Don’t assume you have to choose between being a parent and pursuing music.

There will be seasons where family needs to come first, and you may have less time or energy than you did before kids. But becoming a parent doesn’t mean giving up the things that make you who you are. In fact, I think it’s important for children to see their parents pursuing their passions, setting goals, and continuing to grow.

Parenting has also taught me that if something constantly feels like a fight, sometimes it’s okay to step back and come back to it later, whether that’s potty training, a new routine, or even a creative project. Often, when the timing is right, things flow much more easily.

Can you shout out another music mama doing great things? 

Special shout out to Ashleigh Ball a supermama in the biz! I am a huge fan of her music and love watching her shine on stage.