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It was game on at CHEO this week, as musicians from the National Arts Centre (NAC) delivered a lively afternoon concert that powered up smiles for patients, families, and staff.
The performance marked the third in a two-year partnership between CHEO and the National Arts Centre (NAC) to share performing arts and its many benefits with patients and staff throughout 2026.
Featuring iconic pieces from the Super Mario Bros. theme to Tchaikovsky, the concert invited young listeners into a world of adventure where challenges could be set aside and imagination could level up.
At the centre of the performance was a string quintet from the NAC Orchestra featuring Jeremy Mastrangelo and Mark Friedman on violin, David Thies-Thompson on viola, Desiree Abbey on cello, and Vincent Gendron on bass.
Together, the ensemble delivered a program that balanced playful energy with moments of calm. As part of the NAC–CHEO partnership, the concert highlighted how live music can reduce stress, foster connection, and support emotional well-being in environments where resilience is a daily reality.
"To bring music to people who are not in the position to come out to concerts, and to be exposed to live music, that gives this extra meaning and significance beyond just playing another concert,” said Mastrangelo.
“The kids were getting into it, bopping, and vocalizing. That means it’s reaching them. You’re not going to get that in the typical classical audience. That’s different and really cool for us.”
The partnership between the NAC and CHEO aims to remove barriers to accessing the arts, ensuring that patients who can’t attend traditional concert venues still experience the magic of live performance. With this third concert, the initiative continues to build momentum one note, and one level, at a time.
By partnering with a national cultural institution, CHEO is proving that when it comes to care, music isn’t just background—it’s a powerful player.