Goldsmith, Métis Fiddler & 200 RYT

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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?

When I became pregnant, I had not yet started my music career. I was raising my boys and we took the opportunity to learn music together. At the same time, I was making plans to leave a violent and abusive marriage. I knew there would be a great responsibility to protect my children and the environment they were growing up in, so I took great care to make sure the music and community I was building were also in their best interest.

What changed for you when you became a parent in this industry? (or faced when your children were younger if relevant)?

Becoming a parent changed everything about how I approached music and community. Motherhood transformed me. Through my children, I discovered who I truly was, the strength I carried, and the kind of person I wanted to become. They taught me about unconditional love, resilience, and purpose. I owe them everything.

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

One of the biggest changes the music industry could make for working parents is creating stronger, healthier communities. Who you surround yourself with matters deeply, especially when children are involved. There are many ways to share music beyond late nights in pubs and bars. Music exists everywhere, in community spaces, daytime events, festivals, workshops, kitchens, and gatherings. Parents deserve opportunities that align with healthy, supportive environments for both artists and their children.

Finish this sentence: “Being a parent in music is…”

Being a parent in music is a message of hope. It challenges outdated patriarchal ideas about what it means to be a woman, a mother, and an artist. As an Indigenous woman, I believe deeply in matriarchal ways of being, in community care, strength, leadership, and raising one another up. Parenting while creating art is powerful, and women deserve to be seen and heard fully in both roles.

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

I find support through trust and authenticity. Community grows one connection at a time. You meet one person, and then their community, and slowly networks begin to form. I believe authenticity attracts the people we are meant to walk beside. Support comes from asking for help, offering help in return, and building relationships rooted in care and respect.

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

In my small town, many local venues have been supportive of parents because they are parents themselves. One place that has always felt especially welcoming is PICNIC in Orillia, which hosts a Sunday afternoon music series. When my children have come out to hear me play, the staff and community have always embraced them with kindness and care. It truly takes a village to raise children, and I feel grateful to have experienced that kind of support in my community.

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

Festivals and conferences can better support parents by continuing to raise up women’s voices, not only as performers, but as whole people with unique realities and responsibilities. Financial supports, accessibility resources, and assistance navigating events can make a major difference. Some mothers, including myself, live with invisible disabilities, and assumptions about what support we may or may not need can sometimes determine whether participation is possible at all.

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

My advice to anyone in music considering becoming a parent is this, you can have both. You can be a mother, a musician, and an artist. But it should not be done alone. Call your community close. Ask for help. Offer help to others. Motherhood is sacred work. There may be moments where you feel close to giving up, but often people are closer to their breakthrough than they realize. Keep going. Take care of yourself, and every day take one step toward the life you want to build.

Can you shout out another music mama doing great things?

I would also love to shout out Alison Corbet, an incredible fiddle player, mother, and pillar of her musical community. Watching her overcome cancer while continuing to create, perform, and support others has been deeply inspiring to me and to many people around her.