Fri Dec 12, 2025

Submitted by Sandy Graham

Date: Sunday, December 14, 2025
Venue: Lula Lounge, Toronto
Time: Doors 6:30 PM / Show 8:00 PM
Tickets: $59.64 (incl. tax) / $50 (all-inclusive for musicians)

For tickets: eventbrite.ca/e/bringing-you-a-little-happy-tickets-1739773833369 
Or Donate via website and bring a receipt to the door.
Website: birdsongnewmusicfoundation.ca/

“For me personally, I have found that creativity has been an essential tool, like a life raft, during periods of my life where I’ve struggled with addiction or my mental health. I sang a year ago here in Toronto at the Birdsong Fundraiser and it was the best night of my year!”  –  Mae Martin

“From what I observe, creating new music often serves as a cathartic process for healing. Once you are on music’s healing path there is no getting off.”  –  Bryant Didier /New Music Producer

TORONTO, ON – Renowned comedian and all-around artist Mae Martin, Grammy and Juno Award-winning vocalist Liberty Silver, multi-award-winning country artist and songwriter Lori Yates and the artists of the Birdsong New Music Foundation are set to unite for an evening of unforgettable original music and holiday cheer on Sunday, December 14, 2025. This annual fundraiser, taking place at Lula Lounge in Toronto, supports the production of new music created by individuals living with mental illness.

The concert will be hosted by Mae Martin and Margaret Konopacki and features performances by Martin, Silver, Yates, Robert Priest, Dustin Harder, Ashley Bell, Allan Kinney, D.M. Lafortune, Armand Anthony, Nicole McCafferty, Dr. Tansy Etro-Beko, Nick Jones and Rachel Scully. 

All performers will be accompanied by Bryant Didier and the Birdsong Village Band. (Mike Kavalerchik guitar, Arron Caten drums, Allan Kinney keyboards, Tim Bartsch cello). Margaret Konopacki, Founder& Executive Producer oversees the event, while Dan Robinson assumes the role of Stage Manager.

The Birdsong New Music Foundation was established in memory of David Martin (1987-2017), a talented Canadian musician and close friend of Mae Martin who lived with a mental illness diagnosis. The charity empowers individuals facing similar challenges to compose, record, and perform their own music, fostering personal healing and challenging the stigma surrounding mental illness.

Mae Martin comments: “This incredible charity is very close to my heart, for many reasons. It was created in memory of my dear friend David Martin, who had bipolar disorder and unfortunately died young. The charity is dedicated to helping others like him to compose, record and perform their original music. For me personally, I have found that creativity has been an essential tool, like a life raft, during periods of my life where I’ve struggled with addiction or my mental health. I love the ethos of Birdsong and how they help people to express themselves. I sang a year ago here in Toronto at the Birdsong Fundraiser and it was the best night of my year! It’s a small intimate venue so come and support this great cause and let’s meet up and celebrate together!”

Founder Margaret Konopacki emphasizes the transformative power of the foundation’s work.  “This fundraiser is a culmination of eight years of hard work within the organization to change the way people perceive individuals who live with mental health issues,” she says.

Konopacki highlights the contributions of industry professionals who volunteer their expertise, including Platinum award-winning producer Greg Kavanagh, Musical Director Bryant Didier, TV personality Michael Williams and writer Daryl Jung, to name just a few, noting that, “Birdsong is a space of love, healing and second chances for many. I am humbled by people who spend their precious time flying in on their own accord to support us and bring happiness and joy to continue the magic and healing that new music can bring to us all.”

“This year we have a number of new artists who have joined the Birdsong Foundation healing approach. They are Nick Jones, Armand Anthony, Nicole McCafferty, Arif Jinha and Terry Witzu. It is never the same experience working with each individual and we do our best to be mindful of what helps the process. What I have learned is that the ‘village’ of Birdsong artists is the most profoundly healing experience for the group.”

Birdsong Music Producer Bryant Didier comments: “I have worked with many of the birdsong artists either in studio or in performance. Each experience has been special and unique and I have witnessed and appreciated the healing power of music with these artists and others through my career as a music producer and performer. It is profoundly healing which is one of the reasons I chose this career.

Over the past 5 years I have seen Birdsong Foundation, and their artists evolve in different ways. Some arrived with extreme anxiety, depression and / or insecurity. Then, a few years later their improvement in confidence and attitude was incredible. It’s amazing what can change when a person begins to believe in themselves. From what I observe, creating new music often serves as a cathartic process for healing. Once you are on music’s healing path there is no getting off.

Many of the Birdsong artists have experienced severe trauma. We need to be aware of this and sensitive as to not trigger or further traumatize the artist. If there is relapse, we cancel the work until better balance is restored.

As a producer, listening is key to my job. And being a good listener helps the artist feel more comfortable and open to being their true selves. This is crucial for an authentic performance. And there is nothing more powerful than to play-back a song they wrote and see their joy in completing something that they can be proud of and share. What they achieve in the studio can change their lives. Creative collaborations can be difficult and test one’s ability to communicate and achieve collaborative goals. I have found that with clear, respectful communication a common understanding can usually be achieved.

There are many magic moments in the recording process. And I feel blessed to work with such passionate and unique artists. My favourite experiences are when the artist is nervous and inexperienced. After helping them gain more courage, they can become ecstatic in realizing that their voice is beautiful, and their song sounds better than they imagined. It has made me a better person and a better producer and musician. When creating music I feel a beautiful oneness; the divine flow state is profound.”

Konopacki concludes, “I have met many people who are struggling with loss, and I share my belief that music helps heal us in a profound way. Through this work I feel like I have turned the corner on my own PTSD caused by the loss of David. When I see the progress of some of these Birdsong artists I share in the joy of their accomplishment; it heals me. Birdsong Foundation is our accomplishment to end stigma together. Through our work we have also helped many people feel safe to talk about their illness. Music is that “safe place” where you can put your real authentic feelings down in lyrics and create art.

My healing continues within this village of courageous people who love music so much; we are brought back to a better life somehow through this artform and these concerts. This year’s show will be something unique and transformational, and my son David’s unique spirit continues to guide us to a better life.

“Bringing you a little happy with Mae Martin and special guests”,  the name of our Dec. 14th show in Toronto will showcase the remarkable development of Birdsong artists, with three performers currently completing full albums. It stands as a testament to the organization’s commitment to providing a platform for creative expression and building self-esteem through music. Become part of our village and live for love and art!

For tickets: eventbrite.ca/e/bringing-you-a-little-happy-tickets-1739773833369 
For more in Birdsong Foundation visit:  facebook.com/birdsongfund | instagram.com/birdsongfund/

Birdsong Joins Forces with The Royal Ottawa & IMHR to Create Pilot Music Project

April 24, 2023, Ottawa – Birdsong New Music Foundation announces the beginning of a new initiative to create a pilot music program inside The Royal Ottawa Mental health centre also known as “The Royal” (ROMHC); one of Canada’s foremost mental health care, teaching, and research hospitals. This hospital is a major branch of the Royal Ottawa Health Care Group which also encompasses the Brockville Mental Health Centre, the Royal Ottawa Foundation for Mental Health, and The Royal’s Institute of Mental Health Research (IMHR) affiliated with the University of Ottawa. The IMHR is one of Canada’s foremost research institutes focused on mental health and has a mandate to study music and how it affects mental health. 

Principals from Birdsong New Music Foundation along with two birdsong composers/ performers will be sharing their strength and hope at a three-day SYMPOSIUM in Ottawa (May 3-5) billed as follows: Music and Health: Knowledge Exchange, Mobilization and Translation. 

This inaugural conference of the Music and Health Research Institute( MHRI – University of Ottawa) in partnership with the Royal , will bring together major post-secondary institutions, hospitals, community based and not-for-profit organizations, multilevel government representatives, the media, and the public. Attending the conference event will be leading researchers from all across Canada, in the humanities and social sciences (music, education, and psychology), health sciences (rehabilitation, audiology, and speech therapy), sciences (neurosciences, biomechanics) and various domains of medicine. 

The event is open to anyone interested in the interactions between music and health. It aims to establish community music as a reliable approach to fostering beneficial impacts on health and well-being in various health care environments. 

“The exciting part of the conference,” says Margaret Konopacki, Founder of Birdsong New Music Foundation, a not-for-profit that produces music by people who live with mental illness and mental health problems, “is the goal is to help people heal embedding music as part of the prescription in wellness care.” 

Birdsong will be presenting a talk about mobilization for music making and mental health. Birdsong’s goal is to help MHRI create a music program inside psychiatric facilities not just as an activity but as a healing modality for people who are there working towards finding health and 

wellness. Music heals people. This we can prove through our work and the work of countless others.” 

Gilles Comeau Founder and director of MHRI comments in his introductory remarks: “We are developing an evidence based social prescribing model - known as MUSIC ON PRESCRIPTION - that would enable health and social professionals to refer individuals to community-based music activities.” 

Birdsong New Music Foundation will be one of the organizations helping to design a unique music program for patients as research has been proven that music can affect mental health and treat trauma by contributing to mood enhancement, decreasing depression, relieving stress and tension, and overall creating more personal joy and confidence. 

Dr. Florence Dzierszinski (President of the University of Ottawa Institute of Mental Health Research at The Royal, and Vice-President of Research at The Royal) adds: “We were witness to the healing work that Birdsong New Music Foundation does during one of their live concerts here in Ottawa, which showcased music that was performed and composed by people who live with mental illness. We are now bringing music to The Royal and working with Birdsong New Music Foundation.” 

Birdsong collaborates with people who have chosen to spread their vision by composing and performing songs, not only as a form of expression but often as a means of survival. All our composers/musicians agree that music has saved their lives. 

All donations to the Foundation support the creation of new music, videos and live performance opportunities for Birdsong artists. 

https://birdsongnewmusicfoundation.ca/contact-us 

For interviews and further information, please contact: Margaret Konopacki, Founder 
E: hello@birdsongfoundation.com