Clare Longendyke - Interview
In front of the red light … with Clare Longendyke! Watch the Full Interview here & Her most recent release here
When you think of a concert pianist, you might imagine long hours of practice, solo travel, and intense performances. Now imagine doing all that while pregnant. In a recent conversation, I sat down with pianist Clare Longendyke—who is doing just that—to talk about music, motherhood, and maintaining balance.
Performing While Pregnant
Adding pregnancy to the equation brought a new layer to Clare’s work. “It’s a wild experience,” she laughs. “There are physical changes you have to adapt to—your body just doesn’t move the same way at the keyboard.”
The practical challenges are real. Long rehearsals, travel fatigue, and even choosing what to wear on stage all take on new dimensions when you're expecting. Yet Clare remains grounded—and even energized—by the dual role she’s inhabiting.
Society’s Expectations of Women’s Bodies
As we talked, the conversation naturally turned to the broader cultural narratives around women, pregnancy, and professionalism—especially in classical music.
“There’s still this underlying critique,” Clare said, “this idea that if you’re visibly pregnant, or even just a woman, somehow you might not be capable of holding the stage the same way.”
Tabitha added: “In so many corners of the music industry—classical, R&B (Rihanna’s pregnancy announcements), pop—there’s this unspoken fear: What does it mean when a woman’s body changes? Will people still believe in her capability?”
Clare nodded, pointing out how rare it has been historically to see visibly pregnant women performing. “Only recently have I even realized how many other pianists are going through this. I didn’t know Katya Buniatishvili just had a baby. Michelle Cann is pregnant too. We’re visible. And that visibility matters.”
The Life of a Pianist
"Being a pianist is like my grounding force," Clare shares. "It's not just what I do—it's a huge part of how I understand the world."
For Clare, the piano isn’t just an instrument—it’s a space of both discipline and imagination. From an early age, she was drawn to the emotional power of classical music. Now, as a professional, her work spans solo performances, collaborations, and curating contemporary repertoire.
Self-Care in the Spotlight
When asked about how she’s taking care of herself during this time, Clare emphasizes rest and boundaries. “I’ve learned to say no a lot more,” she confesses. “And I’m learning to ask for help, which isn’t always easy.”
She also speaks about making space for joy and movement—whether it’s getting massages, spending time with family and her dogs, or getting the groceries.
What’s Next
You can see Clare’s upcoming performances here. She truly is an incredible force - thanks for letting us be a “fly on the wall” along your journey, Clare!
Johnson Creative is proud to collaborate with Clare in her artistic endeavors.
Further reading
Boston University’s Exploration on Pregnancy as a Larger Conversation | Boston Mayor, Michelle Yu
Find Clare:
