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?

While I was pregnant I worked on what I thought would be my last album for a very, very long time. I threw a CD release party when I was 7 months pregnant! I figured everything would just be put “on hold”. But that’s not at all what happened! About 7 weeks after my son was born, I joined a songwriter group, writing a song a week for the full year. I figured this activity would keep my head music-ing while changing diapers. It turned out to be one of the best things I did! It allowed me to practice creating art and letting go (there was no time for ruminations, there were diapers to change and lots of feeding and trying to nap in between!) and I wound up with a collection of tunes that would become my first children’s album, Pockets Full of Joy. This little album landed on a “Best of Family Music for 2014” list, got a Parenting Choice Award and was featured in Real Simple Magazine! I’d like to add that at the time, I had no PR, and hardly knew much about the children’s music industry. All I knew was that it felt great to make this new and different music, and I had to follow through!

As a working parent in the music industry, what are some of the biggest challenges you are facing?

Time. Time. Time. Art takes time. Music production takes time. And so does parenting, and I don’t want to miss out on my son’s growth! He’s 11 now and has become quite the cellist! We have found ways to naturally weave our lives together so that we can make music together. He’s in my band Lucy Kalantari and the Jazz Cats. But there are also plenty of non-music things that need care and attention, like homework and making dinner, and all the things in between.

I do my best to do this juggle, and sometimes it feels amazing, and sometimes it feels like I’m failing everyone! But as my son has gotten older, I have also learned to be more patient with myself, knowing that I am doing my best. Some days my “best” looks better than other days.

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

Having a space for new moms to pump milk would be pretty nice!

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

Being in the children’s music industry makes things a little easier in many ways. MOST of us are parents (not all!) and we all “get it”. So when I’ve taken my son to “work” with me when he was really small, it’s totally ok and normal if he had a mini meltdown. All the parents would nod with compassion and understanding. Everyone has a story of their kid freaking out at a show!

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

It often comes down to childcare! Providing a space and sitters would be a game-changer!

Can you shout out another music mama doing great things?

The amazing mastering engineer Emily Lazar. She's an incredible force of nature who started We Are Moving the Needle, a not-for-profit organization striving to end the gender disparity in production roles in the music industry.