We are pleased to announce that Euterpe Corporation (Euterpe: Music Is The Key) has been awarded a significant grant from the George C. Hunt Family Foundation. With this generous sponsorship Euterpe: Music Is The Key has engaged its flagship performance group Ensemble Vivant to perform at 20 Long Term Care Homes in marginalized communities in the Toronto area.
Ensemble Vivant’s stylistically diverse performance programs for seniors are known to provide inestimable benefits for the residents and Long Term Care medical professionals have deemed these performances to be “the healing solution” for their residents. A world class group, Ensemble Vivant is also known for its warm and engaging rapport and its passionate, deeply communicative playing that touches the hearts and souls of listeners of all ages.
Representative photos and testimonials from Ensemble Vivant performances at LTC Homes for the George C. Hunt Family Foundation Sponsorship – December 10, 2024 to July 31, 2025.
“A Huge Thank You to Euterpe: Music Is The Key. Ensemble Vivant’s outstanding performance at Downsview LTC Centre on December 13, 2024 to more than100 residents, enriched our residents’ lives profoundly. We have never had this world-class standard of music performance. It was a walk back through memory lane for our residents, and there were no end of tears shed – tears of joy and of deep emotional release. Please come back to perform for our residents often. Heartfelt thanks to the George C.Hunt Family Foundation for making this opportunity possible”.
Doris Nwosu, Director of Resident Programs
Downsview Long Term Care Center
Ensemble Vivant performed at Lakeside LTC for the residents on the dementia ward on December 10, 2024.
As at all dementia wards, the residents are not free to come and go. Ensemble Vivant performed for approximately 50-60 residents, all of whom were visibly drawn in by the music. One resident with tears flowing down her cheeks, remarked that she had never heard such beautiful music. All the residents who were verbal wanted to know when we’ll be back to play for them, and several asked if we could come again the next day.
Ensemble Vivant performed for at least 100 enthusiastic residents at Villa Colombo on December 11, 2024. Included among them were those with dementia.
The residents were truly engaged and we could see their joyous expressions and their involvement moving with the music while we were playing. Some were tearful and clearly deeply moved. All the residents we spoke with following the performance asked when we’ll be back.
“It was truly special for our residents to experience a world-class performance at Villa Colombo. Ensemble Vivant’s performance filled the room with joy and energy and it was heartwarming to see how engaged everyone was. Residents sang along, clapped to the rhythms, and shared smiles that lit up the entire room. The feedback we’ve received has been overwhelmingly positive. Many residents shared how the music brought them back cherished memories from their past, evoking feelings of happiness and peace. It was a deeply beautiful and lasting experience of connection that resonated with everyone.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Mr. Kenneth Russell from the George C. Hunt Family Foundation for sponsoring this wonderful opportunity for the residents.”
Program Manager, Villa Colombo
Ensemble Vivant with Kenneth Russell from the George C. Hunt Family Foundation
On December 16, 2025, Ensemble Vivant performed for the residents of Fountainview LTC.
“Due to lack of resources, Fountain View LTC has never been able to engage high-level performers to play for our residents. The powerful, lasting magic of Ensemble Vivant’s world-class performance on December 16, 2024 was felt by every resident.
Our medical professionals stressed that Ensemble Vivant’s music is the healing solution! I personally witnessed residents who normally have very short attention spans, and/or who generally exhibit responsive behaviours throughout programs, sit calmly and without disturbance for the entire hour-long performance. This is truly remarkable!!! I have never before experienced this in my over 15 years in this role.”
Hali Fitzpatrck, Director of Resident Programs
Fountain View Community
On February 23, 2025, Ensemble Vivant performed for approximately 60 residents at Heritage Nursing LTC Home.
The resident photographed with pianist Catherine Wilson was non-verbal and reached out with her eyes and physically grasped Catherine’s hands. The Activities Coordinator thanked Ensemble Vivant profusely for bringing Roy Thomson Hall to the Heritage Nursing LTC Home. He also commented on the powerful effect we had on the residents at Lakeside LTC on December 10, 2024, where he also works. He hopes that we’ll return to both places soon. He said the need is tremendous.
Ensemble Vivant performed for over 90 residents at Harmony Hills LTC on April 23, 2025.
It was a profoundly emotional experience for the members of Ensemble Vivant seeing the joyous expressions on the residents’ faces, watching them move and sing along to the music as the group was performing. Many residents were tearful throughout the performance, and many engaged with members of the group for well over 30 minutes following the performance.
This resident clapped rhythmically to the music throughout the performance, sang his heart out and danced in his chair moving his legs and feet to the music. He implored that the music not-stop, so George continued playing for him long after Ensemble Vivant’s concert had ended. This resident repeatedly asked if we would return the next day, and the day after. The nursing staff were astounded at the visceral effects of our performance on their residents.
Nisbet Lodge LTC resident Jude could not hold back his tears throughout Ensemble Vivant’s performance on May 17, 2025.
The emotional release it brought to him was profound and he expressed the depth of beauty that he felt and experienced to pianist Catherine Wilson, whom he requested to be photographed with.
On June 12, 2025 Ensemble Vivant performed outdoors at Cummer Lodge LTC for well over 100 residents.
It was a joyous occasion for the residents, doctors and other caregivers. During the performance the musicians could see the smiles, the tears, bodies swaying to the music, and hear the residents singing along and clapping to the rhythm of the music. Residents and caregivers implored that Ensemble Vivant return often.
Ensemble Vivant performing for LTC and other residents at Ehatare on June 16, 2025.
It was wonderful seeing LTC residents alongside residents who are not LTC. This shared experience made the LTC residents feel an even greater sense of belonging. The deep emotion was felt throughout performance and beyond by residents and caregivers.
Ensemble Vivant performing at Hawthorne Place LTC on June 23, 2025.
Program Manager Roxanne Kato extends heartfelt appreciation to the George C. Hunt Family Foundation for making the incredibly meaningful experience of Ensemble Vivant’s outstanding concert for the residents possible.
“Ensemble Vivant’s magical concert celebrated music’s power to deeply move, inspire, unite and profoundly uplift. Their music is deeply healing.”
Dr. Ing, Hawthorne Place Centre
L to R: Catherine Wilson, Kenneth Russell, Norman Hathaway, George Koller, Sarah Boyer
Ensemble Vivant performed for 120 residents in a jam-packed performance space at Copernicus Lodge LTC on June 17, 2025.
While performing, the musicians could feel the contentment and see the joy on the residents’ faces and see/hear the excited reactions to every piece of music. So many residents expressed to the musicians how deeply moved they were by the performance, and everyone the musicians spoke with asked that Ensemble Vivant come back very soon. One man expressed to pianist Catherine Wilson that his “heart and soul had never felt so good”, that his “entire being was calmed.”
Ensemble Vivant performing for approximately 90 residents at Seniors Health Centre LTC on July 29, 2025.
Ensemble Vivant performing for well over 100 residents at the Ivan Franko LTC on July 31, 2025
“Ensemble Vivant’s beautiful heart-warming concert brought no end of joy, warmth and connection to our community of residents. Their music filled our Home with beauty, warmth and uplifted everyone’s spirits, sparked many memories and fostered social connecton through the power of Ensemble Vivant’s world-class performance. As an LTC Home, we lack the resources to provide this invaluable opportunity for our residents, and we extend a heartfelt thank you to the George C. Hunt Family Foundation for making this possible. Your support has brought meaning and joy into our community, greatly enriching the lives of our residents. We hope Ensemble Vivant will return to perform for our residents often.”
Natalia Razzaq, Program Manager
Ivan Francko LTC.
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Our world-class performers’ fun and engaging rapport with seniors accompanies the superb stylistically diverse music-making.
Our music programs are provided free-of-charge to all recipients.
