In partnership with the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and in collaboration with Shkaabe Makwa—the Centre for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Wellness—CAMH patients will work with Cree composer Andrew Balfour and members of the TSO to compose a piece that will receive its première in 2024 at CAMH and at Roy Thomson Hall in April 2025. 

Under the guidance of CAMH’s Shkaabe Makwa (“Spirit Bear Helper” Centre for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Wellness), Art of Healing brings together traditional knowledge and medical expertise in the establishment of a culturally safe space to support patients’ mental well-being.

Art of Healing began in 2022 and is part of the TSO’s slate of health and well-being initiatives intended to reach more age groups, people with different abilities, and more diverse communities in Toronto.

The 2022/23 Art of Healing creation, Ikiru by Ian Cusson will receive its première with the TSO on June 6, 8, and 9, 2024 at Roy Thomson Hall. For more information about the concert and to buy tickets, visit the concert listing.

The Art of Healing program is generously supported by The Azrieli Foundation

Cris Derksen

Art of Healing Composer (2024/25)

Juno nominated Cris Derksen is an Internationally respected Indigenous Cellist and Composer. Originally from Treaty 8 in Northern Alberta, she comes from NorthTall Cree Reserve on her father’s side and Mennonite homesteaders on her mother’s. Derksen’s composition strength lies in her diversity for all artistic fields including: Dance, Theatre, Film, Television, Animation, Fashion, Podcasts, Symphonic, Chamber, Choral, and Installations. She performs as soloist-composer for Symphonies and Chamber Orchestra’s across Canada and has been commissioned by the Calgary Philharmonic, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Thunder Bay Symphony and Orchestre Metropolitan. Derksen was the composer for the Canadian Pavilion for the World Expo in Dubai in 2022, Her work on the Podcast Stolen: Surviving St. Michael's by Connie Walker and Gimlet media won both a Pulitzer and Peabody. Recent achievements include their Carnegie Hall Debut with Orchestra Metropolitan conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin. A collaboration with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet and the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra of new ballet Tel Wild Man of the woods and scoring a National Geographic Documentary. Derksen is always up for the challenge of bringing an Indigenous perspective to all aspects of sonic storytelling.

Ian Cusson

Program Advisor (2024/25), Art of Healing Composer (2022/23)

Métis composer Ian Cusson will be returning to the Art of Healing program as Program Advisor. He is a composer of art song, opera and orchestral work. Of Métis (Georgian Bay Métis Community) and French Canadian descent, his work explores the Canadian Indigenous experience, including the history of the Métis people, the hybridity of mixed-racial identity, and the intersection of Western and Indigenous cultures. 

He studied composition with Jake Heggie (San Francisco) and Samuel Dolin, and piano with James Anagnoson at the Glenn Gould School. He is the recipient of the Chalmers Professional Development Grant, and grants through the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation, the Canada Council, Ontario Arts Council and the Toronto Arts Council.