About Us
Making music
Music Around the Corner is a concert series initiative founded by Canadian violinist Emma Meinrenken and violist Lynn Sue-A-Quan in 2023, featuring Toronto-born and based classical musicians. Every few months, we come together to put on shows that not only showcase masterworks from the Western music genre but also feature a diverse array of classical and contemporary Canadian composers and arrangers.
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Our mission is to highlight local Toronto businesses and live music venues that offer unique communal environments and artisanal products. Since August 2023, we've had collaborations with Toronto businesses like Blood Brothers Brewing, the Coffee Boutique, 915 Dupont, and the Canadian Music Centre.
We are uniquely founded on the high level of musicianship and technical skill of our performers. Musicians have included members of the Toronto Symphony, the New York Philharmonic, and the Indianapolis Symphony, as well as recent graduates of the Curtis Institute of Music, the Juilliard School, Yale University, and McGill University. Committed to the community-based, local nature of our venue choices and programming, we hope to organically introduce the magic of classical and Canadian art music to audiences in the Greater Toronto Area.
Our Story
During the summer of 2020, amidst the Covid lockdown, we came together with friends to form a string quartet, driven by our shared passion for chamber music and the desire to perform. We put on an intimate outdoor concert, during a time where there were limited amount of performance opportunities available. This initial gathering inspired us to create the Music Around the Corner concert series, with the aim of bringing chamber music to various venues around Toronto. What began as a single intimate outdoor performance has since evolved into an acclaimed series. Fueled by our commitment to both music and community, we envisioned a way to celebrate and support local talent while invigorating the city's cultural landscape.
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As the series developed, we made it a priority to highlight Toronto's exceptional musicians and showcase pieces by Canadian composers. By featuring the diverse talents of local artists and embracing the rich tapestry of Canadian musical voices, we aim to provide a platform for emerging and established talents alike. Over time, Music Around the Corner has expanded into a dynamic chamber music series, fostering unique collaborations with local businesses and performing in a range of venues across the city. Through these efforts, we bridge the gap between the arts and everyday life, enriching Toronto's cultural fabric one note at a time.
