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 got pregnant with my first child just a few months after we began scoring Season 1 of Ruby and the Well, so there were lots of discussions about how we, as a family, would handle everything. My son was born just two weeks before I was back composing on Season 2. It was such an amazing, blissful, and wild time!

I was juggling intense deadlines while nursing my son, pumping between writing and recording sessions, and composing whenever I could late into the night or very early in the morning.

The only way I was able to work at that pace while caring for my newborn was because of my mom’s help. She’s the most amazing mom and grandmother! She came over nearly every weekday and cared for my son while I worked, giving him all the love, attention, and support he needed. I took frequent breaks, and while I was sleep-deprived and stressed at times, it was also a wonderful period in my life. The support of my husband and parents in helping me achieve my career and motherhood goals is something I’ll always be grateful for.

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

Personally, I really appreciate when clients don’t factor in my being a parent. We all have different commitments in our personal lives and a strong creative team is when everyone puts in their everything to serve the film, and deliver at a high level. Everyone has different challenges in life, some people live with chronic illness, others care for aging parents ect… Work-life balance can be difficult for many reasons.

When I was eight months pregnant with my second child, I was hired to score a feature film. I was so grateful that the conversation about me being a month away from giving birth lasted about thirty seconds before we moved on to discussing the creative work. That’s exactly how I wanted it. It’s my job to manage my schedule and responsibilities.

I ended up scoring the film in about three weeks, and just days before my due date I had a recording session with cellist Raphael Weinroth-Browne. It was a fantastic session, we got everything we needed done, and it’s always such a thrill to have an incredible cellist performer live right infant of you, making your score come alive! Our session finished, I was a little winded but I was so excited to start mixing. My son had other plans though! Two hours after Raphael left my house, I went into labour.

Everything worked out beautifully. Four days later I was back in the studio. This time I didn’t even need help from my mother because the delivery deadline was flexible, and my sweet Theo was such a sleepy baby. He napped or relaxed beside me while I mixed and delivered my score.

One thing that truly helps everyone, not just parent, is time. Whenever there’s an opportunity to give artists more time to complete their work, it’s invaluable. There have been occasions when my deadlines were extended because delays in other departments, and it was such a relief. Not only did it allow me to make the score better, and even squeeze in a live recording session when before there was no time, but it also gave me a little more sleep and a little more time with my family.

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

I think many parents share similar experiences and challenges. It can be incredibly validating to hear other moms and dads talk openly about what they’re struggling with and what they’re working on improving.

And I have to admit, those funny and relatable Instagram reels that recreate the chaotic moments every parent experiences behind closed doors are a bit of therapy for me. Sometimes it’s just nice to laugh and realize you’re not the only one.

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

I once did an interview at the CBC radio station in downtown Ottawa and brought my second child, who was about six months old at the time. My plan was to have him beside me during the interview, but one of the broadcasters kindly offered to watch him. He didn’t make a peep the entire time, he was so mesmerized by all the colourful blinking lights.

I also know that the Canadian Film Centre has been very supportive of working parents and has made accommodations to help participants in their residency programs pursue their creative goals while caring for their children.

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

For the most part, event organizers have been quite accommodating. Many venues already provide a private space where I can nurse or pump if I’ve brought my child with me. Having access to a clean, private room is always appreciated and makes participation much easier.

Can you shout out another music mama doing great things?

There are so many incredible, inspiring and very busy screen-composer moms and dads. To name just a few: Skye Wallace, Sarah Slean, Suad Bushnaq, and composer dads Spencer Creaghan, Brian and Caleb Chan and Todor Kobakov. They’re all doing wonderful work while balancing the demands of family and creative careers.