OUR MUSICIANS
Alexandra is a singer- songwriter from Toronto. She performs music under the name “Osypa” and released her debut EP “Luna” in August 2017. Alexandra received her Honours Bachelor of Arts in English from University of Toronto in 2017 and was an Independent Musician in Residence at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. Alexandra has experience performing at Hazelton Place Retirement Residence and with patients with dementia. Alexandra is available for bedside and atrium concerts.
Andrea studied piano, flute and voice and obtained her teacher's diploma in Cologne, Germany. She came to Toronto in 1993 and works as a teacher, performer (Opera Atelier; Toronto Consort with David Fallis; Toronto Sinfonietta with Matthew Jaskiewicz; the Westminster Ensemble; Holy Trinity Church; and Christ Church Deer Park). She is available for classical and Baroque programs with flute, violin and piano or voice, guitar, recorder and accordion performances.
Originally trained as a classical Concert Pianist, Ann-Marie (ARTC) is also a sound practitioner, multi-instrumentalist, improvisational vocalist, composer and recording artist. Along with teaching sound healing programs she also brings her skills and compassionate work of service to the bedside in hospices, hospitals and private homes in support of individuals facing long-term and terminal illness. Ann-Marie is available for bedside and atrium concerts.
Anita has studied tabla with Ritesh Das and pre-eminent exponent of the Lucknow style tabla, Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri. Her music links to her heritage and allows her to connect with others. She has performed, toured internationally and recorded with the Toronto Tabla Ensemble and Jeff Martin and has toured nationally with The Tea Party. She also teaches. In her project Rakkatak, Anita merges rhythms and melodies influenced by classical Indian music with western instruments and a pop aesthetic.
Asher Ettinger, BA Mus, is a formally trained pianist, synthesist, composer, arranger, and producer with over 2,500 works to his credit, as well as a career in fine art (www.asherart.ca), theatre (Bread & Circus) and artist management (Elise LeGrow). Asher's ongoing fascination with neuroscience and music began in 1975 with a/HIS? thesis on Music Therapy for his B.A. in Music. Asher is available for atrium concerts.
Bernie plays melodies of the Thirties and Forties on his soprano sax as a strolling minstrel. On the piano he likes to sit down unannounced and surprise and delight people with nostalgic tunes as a crowd usually gathers around. Bernie is available for atrium concerts.
William “Bill” Westcott, is Professor Emeritus at York University Music Dept. Toronto. A pianist, composer, arranger, musicologist and music theorist specializing in African-American and classical music of the 20th century, he studied blues piano with “Little Brother” Montgomery, a major blues recording artist of the 1930s. Bill has performed in various rock, Dixieland, country & western, ragtime, jazz and blues ensembles for over 40 years and appeared on North American TV and radio stations.
Brian Katz is an internationally acclaimed guitarist, pianist, singer, recording artist, improviser, composer and music/early childhood educator (U of T, York). He is noted for his personal blending of classical, jazz, folk and various world music, especially soulful eastern-European based klezmer. Brian also regularly tours with beloved storyteller, Dan Yashinsky, and they have received critical acclaim for their collaborative work. Brian is available for bedside and atrium concerts.
Part instrumentalist, part cabaret diva, Carrie Chesnutt brings a dual career as saxophone and flautist, as well as a global One Woman cabaret dynamo that ran for 8 seasons in Latin America. Carrie has performed at Canada’s Walk of Fame, with Late Night With David Lettermans’ Paul Shaffer, blues legends Paul Butterfield, Rita Chiarelli, Tom Robinson, Mary Wilson of the Supremes, and opened for Phyllis Diller. She plays with WBR house-band and funky FAT LUCY. She is available for atrium concerts.
Chris Gartner is a Toronto-based JUNO-nominated producer, bass player and composer. He has composed for film, advertising, radio & television themes, and over 100 albums and has recorded with Garth Hudson (The Band), Loreena McKennitt, Mary Margaret O'Hara and Grammy-award winning cellist, David Darling. Chris has also recorded and performs "Music Meditations" with master Shakuhachi flute player, Debbie Danbrook. Chris is available for atrium concerts.
Chris Noble is a composer and producer from Toronto, Canada. He composes film scores, meditative dance music and healing music for various health initiatives. His therapeutic music includes collaborations with sound therapy groups like The Sound Body Collective and Sound Response Wellness, who fuse western psychology with sound therapy.
The mission of the Comfort Choir is to bring comfort, calm, spirit, and a soul-connection to the bedsides of patients in hospital/hospice. We visit the bedside as a group (2-4 singers), choosing our songs based on the patient and family’s musical taste, spiritual direction and current state. Families and friends who are present in the room are welcome to sing with us. We also sing at memorials, funerals and vigils.
Darren Austin Hall is a Creative Healing Arts Practitioner who works in the realm of Sound Healing using Quartz Crystal Singing Bowls and Intuitive Singing, Mantra and Chanting. He is available for bedside and atrium concerts.
Dawn is a composer, pianist, collaborator and educator. She has been playing the piano since she was six years old and has a BFA in Music from York University and a Specialist Certificate from Berklee College of music. She released her debut album of solo piano compositions in 2015 and plays classical music and her own original compositions. Dawn is eager to share music with everyone. She is available for atrium performances.
Debbie is a Master of the ancient Japanese Shakuhachi flute and performs healing concerts internationally. She has 20 music CDs for meditation and healing and is available for bedside and atrium concerts.
Deborah is a vocal sound healer and recording artist as well as a yoga teacher who has a passion for Vedic chanting and singing improvised medicine songs. She is available for bedside and atrium concerts.
The Bansuri flute captures the human imagination vividly and beckons introspection. Deep's guru was Late Pandit Malhar Rao Kulkarni from whom he learned the gayaki ang, dhrupad and the various intricacies of the bansuri. The Maihar gharana has a special importance in Hindusthani music and is known for its beauty and rendering of musical sound in the most pleasing manner. Deep is available for atrium and bedside concerts.
Donald is a multi-instrumentalist and award-winning composer for film and television. He was also the owner and curator of Toronto's unique Musideum, a museum/shop/venue that specialized in instruments from around the world. Donald is available for atrium concerts. "Music is not only what we hear with our ears…. It is not only the notes on the page nor is it only a sound we hear. It is what we see, feel, and touch. Music is the spontaneous expression of our heart" ~ DQ.
Emily Coulston is a singer-songwriter from Edmonton, Alberta. A predominant guitarist and occasional pianist, Emily spent a lot of time writing songs and taking trips to Nashville, TN where she would cowrite with other artists and perform in legendary country music venues. Her sweet and airy yet powerful voice has been compared to the likes of Jewel and Norah Jones. Emily is available for public, atrium concerts.
Pianist, lyricist, songwriter, you don’t just listen when Harry Lewis performs his songs. You experience them. “Writing songs is like taking dictation from the heart,” Lewis says. In 1990, Lewis committed to taking dictation full-time. A musical, CD and revue followed, prompting Toronto Star Theatre Critic Richard Ouzounian to note, “Harry Lewis writes the kind of songs that make you feel like you’ve known him for years, hummable tunes with touching lyrics." Available for atrium concerts.
Hazel is a Soundwork Practitioner, Reiki and CranioSacral Therapist. An accomplished vocalist with 3 CD's to her credit, she also volunteers with Dorothy Ley Hospice and has a private practice in Etobicoke. Hazel is available for bedside and atrium concerts.
Iven Simonetti is a gifted musician who sings, chants and plays: Swiss Hang, Hapi drum, Udu, Guitar, Ukulele, Kalimba and Shrudi box. He plays solely to help others heal. His own personal experience dealing with grief and loss at an early age makes him a gifted and natural grief worker. You can find his music at funerals, spiritual ceremonies of all kinds, yoga classes, healing concerts and in palliative care.
Jamie Thompson is a founding member of The Junction Trio, St. Anne's ensemble-in-residence, and author of Urban Flute Project, one of Canada's leading music blogs. Respected as a prominent flutist and pedagogue, he is on the Faculty at the Royal Conservatory and the TDSB’s Music By The Lake (MBTL) program. Jamie performs internationally and has presented at the Rotman School of Management's Creative Industries. He is available for atrium concerts.
Jim Gelcer infuses new life and spirit into the ancient heartfelt chants that influence today’s Kirtan movement. With a voice filled with depth and emotion, and impeccable musicianship, he tastefully blends flavours of vintage pop-soul with catchy melodies and the celebratory essence of Kirtan. Jim is available for public performances
Kristin Lindell is a Toronto based Singer Songwriter. With a soulful voice and Roots sound, her songs are both inspiring and uplifting. She has performed across Ontario and in BC Folk Festivals. She has a new CD "Overflowing" and is available for atrium concerts.
Martha is a Therapeutic Harp Practitioner (CTHP), certified by the International Harp Therapy Program (IHTP) that is accredited by the National Standards Board for Therapeutic Musicians (NSBTM). Martha is currently working bedside with patients on the post-acute care rehabilitation, complex continuing care, and palliative care floors at Toronto Grace Health Centre and facilitates interactive group programs in nursing and retirement homes. She is available for bedside and atrium concerts.
Mehdi is an educator, composer and santur player. Born in Abadeh, Iran, Rezania began studying santur at 13 with Bahman Nowruzi and later with Mohammad Rasouli and Ardavan Kamkar, his greatest influence. He is available for atrium concerts.
Mercedes has sung and played guitar and piano for patients in Canadian and US hospitals, including NICU, ICU/ CCU, Chemotherapy, Day Surgery, Rehab, Mental Health units. She has also performed therapeutic music in hospices. Mercedes sings in 7 languages and her repertoire includes Italian opera and Latin hymns. Mercedes is available for bedside and atrium concerts.
Michael Moon is an award winning composer and musician specializing in healing music and his own brand of mystic folk. His pioneering CDs are found worldwide in yoga studios, spas, and other therapeutic settings. Gentle & powerful, his music is often the first choice for alternative healers and body workers. As a child, Michael was considered autistic and struggled with chronic health issues. He turned to music, inspired by nature, and plays guitar, crystal bowls and multiple instruments.
Heartfelt performances and meaningful songwriting, ethereal vocals and smooth guitar picking, that will leave the audience feeling moved and uplifted. Toronto born Nicole recently released her third album "Lift" and her music has been added to over 100 radio stations across North America and Europe. Nicole is available for atrium concerts
“Canada's Next Top Crooner,” Ori Dagan is a rising star on the international jazz scene, known for his deep baritone voice and charismatic stage presence. His recordings "S'Cat Got My Tongue" (2009) and "Less than Three" (2012) are heard on CBC, Jazz.FM91 and SIRIUS radio. One of the busiest singers on Toronto's jazz scene, Dagan can often be found playing venues and has played the Toronto, Ottawa and Port Hope Jazz Festivals and Canadian Music Week. He is available for atrium and bedside work.
Ram Vakkalanka is a Nada Yogi, Kirtan leader, Yoga philosopher and Sanskrit expert. Ram has studied under the tutelage of Prof. Shambhu Das, a senior disciple of the world renowned Sitar Maestro, Ravi Shankar. He is available for bedside and atrium concerts.
Rita (BFA, MA, PhD Student) is an accomplished jazz vocalist and songwriter on the Music Faculty at York University. After a near-death illness and lengthy rehabilitation, Rita finds the ability to forge a deep connection with patients at all stages of life. She is available for bedside and atrium concerts.
Ros Kindler’s major influences have been Billie Holiday, Rosemary Clooney and Madeleine Peyroux. Many say these influences show up in her swinging intimate style and tone. Ros has performed at The Jazz Bistro and The Home Smith Bar. She has two CDs to her credit "Sugar Blues" and "I’m Alright." Ros is available for atrium concerts.
JUNO award-winning vocalist, Sienna Dahlen has made her mark as a composer and performer, having released 6 albums of original music and toured extensively around the world. Sienna is also a music educator and holds positions at McGill University, Humber College and the University of Toronto. Sienna offers voice, guitar and piano music to patients in the styles of jazz, folk and other creative forms of sound-making.
Singing through Life is a group formed in 2015 to offer music for people confined by illness or in palliative/hospice care. We are experienced community singers interested in providing compassionate musical care. Upon invitation, our group is able to offer songs in harmony at the bedside for a loved one, family, friends and caregivers. They are available to sing at funerals, life celebrations and memorials.
Steve Koven is a composer, performer, producer and educator. In 1993 Steve established the Steve Koven Trio. Touring the world for more then two decades, they have become known as ‘Canadian Cultural Ambassadors’. Steve also performs solo piano concerts throughout North America, Europe and the Caribbean. Dozens of Koven’s compositions have been licensed for national and international film and television productions. Steve is available for atrium concerts solo and as a trio.
Stephen Douglas is a psychotherapist with roots in music, the arts and art therapy. Trained classically on the piano, Stephen has also learned to connect his voice and drum to spirit in healing circles. He is available for bedside concerts.
Tara Smylie is a student in the Mental Health Studies program at the University of Toronto. She is also a fearless musical creator, willing to tackle any songwriting or performance challenge. She is currently part of the house band for The Middle of Nowhere, a travelling indie artist showcase. She sings and solos with the Hart House Jazz Choir, an eclectic choral group at U of T. Her mission is to explore how music can transcend the realm of the ordinary and, ultimately, heal.
Valerie offers sound healing at Dorothy Ley & Toronto Hospices, in hospitals, and privately. Her touching work is featured in the book, "Soul Voice" by Karina Schelde. She is available for bedside and atrium concerts.