“You can have it all, just at the same time.” That’s what a mentor once told me, and for years, I believed it. But life has a way of teaching lessons, and I’ve come to realize that, with the right support system, one really can have it all — at the same time. For me, that support has been my husband’s steady encouragement, my children’s belief in me, and my commitment to carefully choosing which plates I spin.

Balancing my roles as a Grammy Award-winning jazz musician, professor of music, small business owner, sound therapy practitioner, wife, and mother of twins has been a challenging but rewarding juggling act. My life feels like a tailored dream. Rather than chasing opportunities for their prestige, I pursue those that align with my values and nurture my soul — decisions that have defined my path and shaped a life I’m proud to live.

Success, however, hasn’t come without hurdles. Beginning my career as a female jazz musician in a male-dominated field meant constantly fighting for recognition and respect as a band leader, composer, and educator. Earning two Grammy Awards with my vocal group säje represents years of overcoming these challenges.

Building my sound therapy practice, on the other hand, posed entirely new obstacles. Starting with little more than a vision, I slowly gained traction in the Pacific Northwest. Its openness to the healing arts provided fertile ground, allowing me to grow my practice despite the challenges of raising twins while navigating a demanding academic and artistic career.

At every step, I’ve relied on support from my community, often other artist-mothers, who have helped me recognize the necessity of financial assistance to afford child care while pursuing grants or performance opportunities. Including child care as a budget line item has become a non-negotiable part of my planning.

Of course, there have been sacrifices. I’ve had to turn down opportunities — not for lack of passion, but because some tradeoffs felt too steep. Yet, even in those moments, I’ve learned that saying “no” to some things means saying “yes” to the ones that truly matter.

Seattle has been a haven for me. Its creative energy and celebration of originality have inspired much of my work. The community here, filled with trailblazing women, educators, and entrepreneurs, has been instrumental in supporting my growth. Seattle’s willingness to “lean into the weird” makes it a place where innovation thrives, enabling ventures like my sound therapy practice to flourish.

However, there’s still work to be done to make Seattle a truly equitable place for women to succeed. Like so many working mothers, I’ve grappled with the systemic lack of recognition for childcare as a critical enabler of professional and creative achievement. Addressing the significant financial burden of childcare could unlock immense potential for countless women.

Seattle’s creative community also faces challenges of affordability and diversity. Many artists can no longer afford to live in the city, pushing them to the margins of a cultural scene they once helped define. More grant opportunities for small, for-profit organizations and a greater focus on inclusivity in leadership roles could go a long way in fostering equitable success.

Through everything, I’ve learned that “having it all” doesn’t mean doing it all. It means intentionally spinning the plates that matter most to you. For me, that includes shaping the brilliant musical minds of my students, arranging harmonies that stir the soul, supporting clients’ healing journeys, and being there for my family when they need me.

Seattle has been an incredible stage for this balancing act, a city rich in opportunity and potential. By addressing systemic barriers like affordable childcare and a lack of diversity, Seattle can ensure every woman has the chance to thrive here. Together, we can create a stronger foundation for all who dream to build and succeed.

And as for me? I’ll keep spinning my plates, joyfully and on my own terms.

This feature is part of our annual Trailblazing Women series, honoring 10 women who turn challenges into progress and lead with courage, vision, and grit.