Becoming a parent changes everything, not just your schedule, but the way you make decisions. For musicians, each choice touches every part of life: work, family, time, and identity. In this reflection, Deanna shares how every major decision since becoming a mother has come down to one question: Does this choice align with my values and priorities right now?

Through her own experiences moving from Paris to the U.S. and navigating the balance between career and family, she offers three simple steps for making decisions that bring clarity and peace even when life feels uncertain.

They say: “You can’t do it all.”
I say: “You can’t do it all, but you CAN do a lot of things a lot of the time.”

As a freelance musician, teacher, entrepreneur, wife, and mom of three, I’ve learned that life is less about juggling everything at once and more about choosing which grains of sand matter today. From messy rehearsals colliding with diaper runs to setting boundaries around practice time, I’ve discovered that balance comes not from doing it all, but from releasing perfection, embracing the ebb and flow, and trusting that what I’m doing is enough for this season of life.

Balancing motherhood and a music career comes with constant shifts—some seasons are filled with late-night feedings and stepping away from the stage, while others bring more balance and opportunities to reclaim your musical identity. If your career looks different now, it doesn’t mean it’s over—it’s just evolving. In this post, we explore the changing rhythms of being a musician mom, the challenges of doing it all, and why it’s okay to embrace each season as it comes.

Raising a child as a freelance musician comes with unique challenges—long rehearsals, late-night gigs, and an unpredictable schedule—all while navigating the intense demands of motherhood. Without a built-in support system, many musician parents face isolation, especially when living far from family. But support can come in many forms, from trusted friends to online communities. In this post, I reflect on my journey of finding my "village" while raising a child abroad and share ways you can build your own support system as a musician parent. Who is in your village?

Rushing to one of my first gigs postpartum, I found myself in a whirlwind of challenges that I hadn’t anticipated. Living in a Paris suburb, I had spent the morning desperately searching for medication for my infant, only to realize minutes before leaving that my maternity pants were too loose, while my pre-pregnancy concert attire was impossible to button. It was a harsh reminder of how little support exists for mothers navigating the postpartum phase, especially in the performing arts world.

As a classical musician, finding concert black that accommodates maternity and nursing feels like a wild goose chase—either too expensive or poorly made. But when I discovered Blackstrad, a clothing line designed for professional musicians, everything changed. Their maternity dress isn’t just functional—it’s elegant, breathable, and made to last through every stage of motherhood.

If you’ve ever struggled with postpartum concert attire, this piece is for you. Let’s talk about why maternity concert black is so hard to find—and celebrate solutions that finally work.

Feeling overwhelmed balancing motherhood and your music career? You’re not alone. Between endless to-do lists, unexpected parenting challenges, and a full schedule as a freelance musician, it can feel like there just aren’t enough hours in the day. In this post, I share practical tips to manage the chaos, find calm, and remind yourself that you’re doing an amazing job. Take a deep breath—you’ve got this.