the inspiration of my family life — rainy days spent in a nest of blankets, dancing in the kitchen, train rides and friendship. I love that motherhood has brought me to my path as a children’s songwriter and performer. This is what I was always meant to be doing. I’m in my bliss. How do you encourage your children musically? Music is a natural part of our everyday rhythm. We dance and sing loudly together, make up songs and ‘jam’ on whatever we can find. Mia made very musical pancakes this morning with a spatula and the frying pan. We also subscribe to the School of Spontaneous Song. All you have to do is make up a song from whatever pops into your head (It’s amazing how often four-year-olds are contemplating ‘poo-poo’ and ‘bum-bums’!). So many of our friends are professional musicians that most of the music we listen to comes from them. I get a huge kick out of being able to say to my children, “Hey, that’s Uncle Michael we’re listening to.” It demystifies the art of music-making and offers them the confidence to try it themselves, which they do — loudly, often, and with wild abandon. Just like Mama. What does a typical day involve? My work is varied, diverse and incredibly exciting. On any given day I could be presenting radio on ABC Coast FM, performing to a festival crowd of 5000 people, conducting a music teacher training workshop, singing to children in a hospital ward, planning a Queensland tour for my adult ensemble, co-writing a song with a beloved musical friend, or getting interviewed by someone from Kids on the Coast. Lucky me! With all the activity, adrenalin and change, I’m in danger of getting run-down. This year I’ve learnt how to look after myself and find balance in the small moments — walking on the beach with my family, playing card games with my kids, gazing at them when they don’t know I’m looking, precious time alone with my husband, good food, and good friends.
What do you enjoy most about performing for children? Children are generous, open-hearted, loving, funny, expressive, intelligent and creative people. Their parents are pretty great too. I am the luckiest girl in the world to share my music with them. Whether I perform to a crowd of 10 or 1000, I feel that what I’m doing is valuable and worthwhile. The rewards are immeasurable. I had a mother say to me recently: “Your music plays such a big part in our daily life. Thank you so much.” It doesn’t come much better than that, unless you’re two years old and all you can do to show your gratitude is hug me round the knees. I love that too. What parenting advice can you share with our readers? Laugh with your children. Don’t take it all too seriously. Sometimes you can get bogged down in the day-to-day of what needs to happen and what needs to be done. Some days it doesn’t matter if the sink fills up with dishes. Some days you just need to let that stuff go and just be in the moment with your kids. What’s your greatest achievement so far? I have an exceptionally happy home life. That is my greatest achievement and one that I share with my husband, Jeff. Everything is easier when the person with whom you share your life understands and respects where you’re coming from and where you’re heading. I’m so grateful for him, my gorgeous children and the beautiful life we share. Where do you see yourself in five years– personally and professionally? In five years from now, I will still be fit, healthy and enjoying family life. I’ll have produced two more albums for children, accompanying DVDs, five more children’s books, and be commissioned to write music for ABC and BBC Kids TV, have cowritten and recorded two albums with my adult trio, Burton, Sunde and Fix, be living on the Coast, be enjoying my work at ABC Coast FM, be performing at international and national music festivals and loving my life as much as I do now. Hey presto manifesto!
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How do you balance your career with raising children? Late last year my husband and I committed ourselves to following our creative path and making it financially sustainable. This was a terrifying prospect. It’s been 12 months
and the gamble is paying off. Jeff and I both work from home, so we share the responsibilities of parenting and house management. I could not be as musically active if I did not have the support of my beautiful husband. He is amazing.
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