One of the highlights of my year was performing at the 2012 Garden Party, hosted by Canadian entrepreneur and philanthropist W. Brett Wilson at his private residence in Calgary. It was a summer evening built entirely around a great cause — raising awareness and funds for youth mental health and eating disorders.

What made the event so special was its model: rather than selling tickets, guests were invited to give a meaningful donation, with Brett covering all the costs of the evening himself so that every dollar raised could go straight to the cause. That generosity set the tone for the whole night, and the community showed up for it — the event raised an incredible $755,000 for adolescent mental health.

I was honored to share the stage with an incredible lineup of Canadian talent, including The Heebee-Jeebees, Meaghan Smith, Shane Koyczan, and Brett Kissel. Performing alongside artists of that caliber, for a cause that matters so deeply, made it a night I’ll always remember. I loved performing my solo set and joining Brett Kissel on stage!

There’s something powerful about a room full of people who show up not for a show, but for each other. Being part of that energy, violin in hand, and knowing every note contributed to something bigger, is exactly why I love what I do. Thank you to Brett Wilson for hosting such a meaningful event, and to everyone who gave so generously to support youth mental health.