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 just starting my career in music when my son was 2.
As a working parent in the music industry, what are some of the biggest challenges you are facing?
Child care, as many events happen in the evenings, over weeks – and when travel was required that would complicate things in respect of child care, especially as a single mother.
What is one change (big or small) within the industry that could make a positive impact for working parents?
I’ll go back to Childcare. And that childcare needs to cover obscure hours. The Canadian Labour Congress has been actively lobbying for improvements to Childcare, and discussions have surrounded being able to accommodate shift workers. A band performing evenings would fall well into the category of shift workers.
How do you find support and community with other working parents in or out of the music industry?
It appears to me that people are more understanding and tolerant of parents who need to bring their children to events, especially conferences and meetings during the day. Although this was not the case as I was coming up in my career, it really warms my heart to see parents comfortable with bringing their children.
What’s one specific example of an organization/venue/company doing something great to help support working parents?
FMO Conference had a daycare last year. Music NS recently held a panel covering working parents in the industry. WIM has the WIM Canada Parents What’s App group, and as above, as I said the Canadian Labour Congress. Although the CLC's efforts are not music industry-centric, their efforts could still benefit parents in the music industry.
What could a music event (festival, conference, etc.), do or provide to make it easier for you to participate?
Provide childcare.
Can you shout out another music mama doing great things?
Rosalyn Dennett, Musician and Executive Director of Folk Canada – 2 children under 5 years old, still actively playing and teaching music,
