The arts are important for our mental health
You are not alone
WEALLHAVEASTORY is a series of nine free arts workshops designed to foster connection among individuals impacted by mental illness. Open to anyone age 12 and older, each workshop stands on its own, allowing participants to attend the sessions that best fit their schedules and interests.
Recognizing that people affected by mental health challenges often feel isolated and alone, this series offers a safe, welcoming, and supportive space to build meaningful connections within the mental health community while encouraging creative expression.
Participants will explore a variety of art forms, including music, creative movement, singing, painting, and comedy. Each experience is designed to encourage bonding, self-expression, and shared experience.
The series is named WEALLHAVEASTORY after High Notes Avante’s mental health anthem, created for our 10th anniversary. Its lyrics were written to inspire connection and empowerment among those affected by mental illness.
The song serves as a unifying element throughout the series. It may be played softly in the background, performed live during events, or learned and sung together as a group.
At its heart, both the series and the song remind us of something deeply important: we are not alone, because really, we all have a story.
This is the last of nine Ontario Trillium Foundation funded ‘WeAllHaveAStory workshops.
Music for Your Blues will combine music, stories, and poetry to explore themes on belonging, our relationship to nature, and our greater place in the universe. Yolanda Bruno will perform musical selections on the violin. All ages 14 years and up are welcome. We will do a handful of group activities (participation is optional, but encouraged). We will spend a short time writing a reflection (papers and pencils will be provided). Music for Your Blues will create a safe space for all in attendance. Please come as you are.
Hi! My name is Yolanda Bruno — I’m a concert violinist, and a creator of stories. I’ve been performing music for as long as I can remember. I grew up in Ottawa, spent many years in Montreal and London (UK), and now call Toronto home.
My day job is playing as a member of the violin section in the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. I also love to create stories in concert and play music for communities across our beautiful country.
I’ve had the privilege of playing very ancient violins: right now, I play a Venetian 1737 Domenico Montagnana violin on loan from Groupe Canimex and a Parisian 1816 Nicolas Lupot violin on private loan. It is my great passion to use music as a tool to communicate big ideas and to make a lasting difference in our lives. When the music stops, I love to spend time in nature with my husband, accordionist Michael Bridge, and our little daughter, Arya.
6:00 pm to 7:30 pm
10 Via Renzo Drive Richmond Hill
We happily accept donations via Canada Helps and welcome sponsorship enquiries.
This workshop series is made possible through the support of the Ontario Trillium Foundation Seed Grant, which we are proud to have received.
#MUSICISMEDICINE #WEALLHAVEASTORY #YOUARENOTALONE