Meet Lauren Netherland | Owner & Teacher at LaLa Lessons

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lauren Netherland and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lauren, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
In 2019, I was working a job where I was underpaid, overworked, and, as you can probably assume, stressed out! I hit a wall when, in May of 2019, I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis on top of over a year of infertility (which, at 26, getting pregnant shouldn’t be a problem!). Right then and there, I decided I was done letting work and stress run my life! Four years later, after some big lifestyle changes including low-stress jobs, I finally became a mom in early 2023! As I transitioned to motherhood while still needing to contribute to our finances, this question of balance came back: how can I be as present as possible as a mom while still working? For me, starting my own business teaching music classes for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers was the answer! Starting LaLa Lessons would allow me a schedule that I set, something my kids could be involved in, and still keep me in a music career! For me, the balance is all about making sure needs (not necessarily all the wants) are met while priorities are maintained!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
It feels to me like I got here because I’ve been here all along. That probably doesn’t make much sense, but when I look back at all that I’ve done – from recording made-up songs on a tape recorder at 5 to living in Peru teaching music in areas of immense poverty to a degree in music to recording my first album to a career as a worship pastor to nannying and then now – teaching family music & movement classes, it just makes sense! Music, particularly singing, has always been a joy for me, but also is most powerful and moving as a shared experience. For me,
making music alone feels like work. Music in community feels like flying (when you get it right!). There’s just nothing like the joy of making music together, and, add into that the wonder of children, the opportunity to bang a drum and dance and clap with a child you love… Nothing compares, and I’m so grateful I get to give that opportunity to parents in the Dallas area.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My husband always says that a good day for me revolves around food and nature… and he’s not wrong. We live near Oak Point Nature Preserve, so any chance we get, we go there to walk the trails with our own little one! After that, we’d head to our favorite coffee shop: Pax & Beneficia, and I’d encourage you to try the the “sunshine in a cup” latte. Because who doesn’t want to start their day with that!? We’d sit and chat for a while, and if you were really my best friend… you’d probably say heck yes when I ask if you want to go thrifting. There is no thrill for me like finding something high quality that I love that could have been tossed in a bin, but instead I get to take it home for $3.99. SCORE. Now it’s lunch time. And, due to my thyroid autoimmune disease, I’m one of those blessed people that is gluten, dairy, soy, corn, caffeine, blah, blah, nightshade, etc free. So even though we’re in Dallas, restaurant options are limited! So for lunch we’re cooking something delicious and diet-friendly at home, but for dinner, we’re hitting up my favorite restaurant: Origin Kitchen + Bar down at 75 & Knox-Henderson. It’s a 30 minute drive from my house but it is WORTH IT. We’d wrap up the day with my real favorite food: ice cream. Or, in this case, gelato from Botolino! Or if it’s summer, we might swing by Sno off Meadows & 75 for a sno cone. They have natural flavors, and coconut & mango is where it’s at! Yes, you can visit me anytime!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I could probably shout for a long time about all the people & supports in my life! Firstly, my faith as a Christian has been what keeps me grounded, balanced, and hope-filled. Without guidance from God, I would be an absolute mess. My dear friend Tori inspired me when she started her own business and hired me to join her, teaching me the ins & outs of branding. The skills I learned from her and the up-close seat I got watching her start her own business (successes, struggles, mistakes and all) helped give me the confidence to run my own business! My husband has believed in me always, my mom and sisters are constantly sharing about my business, and my friends (especially Christian!) cheer me on consistently. Because of these forces in my life, I’m able to believe in myself, my goals, and my desire to share the joy of music in every way I can.

Website: https://www.lalalessonsdfw.com

Instagram: @lalalessonsdfw

Facebook: @lalalessonsdfw

Image Credits
Music Together® Worldwide