Back to Search
In a bright corner of CHEO, a gentle blend of classical and contemporary filled the halls of units that provide mental health care, and the audience's eyes brightened even more during the first notes of “Golden,” the award-winning hit song from the film, K‑Pop Demon Hunters.
It was an effective strategy to engage and entertain youth in the second performance of a two-year partnership between CHEO and the National Arts Centre (NAC) to share music and its many benefits with patients and staff throughout 2026.
After December’s launch event for the holiday season, this visit introduced a more intimate experience: a curated program from an NAC Orchestra string quartet, performed for two small groups of youth between the ages of 12 and 17.
For many, it felt like stepping into a free private concert.
“It was so nice to see the kids recognizing a piece we played or tapping their feet along with the music,” said NAC Orchestra violinist, Emily Westell.
“The intimate size of the performance allowed the musicians, patients, and staff to connect with one another and share in the healing power of live music.”
The quartet — Emily Westell and Jeffrey Dyrda on violins, Tovin Allers on viola, and Leah Wyber on cello — wove together a playful and moving setlist that also included pieces from Studio Ghibli and classics like Tchaikovsky and Grieg.
The music was mixed seamlessly, and the musicians shared reflections thoughtfully between pieces, touching on their choices: some for calm, others for joy, and discussed how music, like care, can meet people exactly where they are.
“As musicians, we are always striving to share the beauty and excitement that music brings,” said NAC Orchestra cellist, Leah Wyber.
“It can spark curiosity or inspire imagination. Just the novelty of a new listening experience can be rewarding in itself.”
For CHEO, these performances are a commitment to children, youth, families, and those who work at CHEO.
By partnering with a national cultural institution, CHEO is bringing accessible arts‑based experiences directly to young people who need them most. And for the audience, this was a reminder that beauty, connection, and creativity also belong inside hospital walls.