$1500 Raised for CMHA Sami Bensky Fund for Mental Health Education

On Saturday April 13, 2019, Neighbour Note singing teachers Natalya Gennadi, Patrick Jang, Elizabeth Rodriguez, Lauren Mayer, and John Force helped raise $1500 for the CMHA program the Sami Bensky Fund for Mental Health Education by performing in a concert to raise money and awareness for mental health. The concert took place at Roncesvalles United church in Roncesvalles Village in Toronto and featured Opera arias from Faust, Tosca, Le Nozze di Figaro, Gianni Schicchi, and the Snow Maiden. It also featured musical theatre songs such as Astonishing from Little Women and Bring Him Home from Les Miserables. Natalya and Patrick performed a duet from Monty Python's Spamalot entitled 'The Song That Goes Like This'. Lauren Mayer performed Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah and an original song she wrote entitled Wild. Elizabeth Rodriguez performed her own arrangement of a Mexican song and a Cuban song: Pie de Foto and El Ultimo Trago. The concert was a huge success and got rave reviews from the audience. All of the singers have huge voices and were able to really connect with the audience. To learn more about our Toronto singing lessons click on the link.

Mental Health Education is a very important cause. So many people suffer daily from mental illness and have difficulty living with their pain. There is still not enough help and support for those in need. Hopefully more people like Sami Benksy's family and her friend Sophie Korda get involved. Sophia created a cheer leading bow after her friend Sami Benksy passed away at 16 years of age. The bow was named after Sami. Sophie has raised $2700 for the Sami Bensky Fund through sales of her Sami Bow. If you would like to donate or get involved please contact the CMHA Toronto chapter.