Maya Vasserman’s One-of-a-Kind Concerts will present a program revolving around the music of Edvard Grieg, and Norwegian themes. It takes place on January 18, 2026, and the program is designed to appeal to younger audiences, as well as anyone with a taste for something fun to go along with the music.
Vasserman wanted to offer audience members of all ages something a little out of the ordinary. The concert is presented in collaboration with the Norwegian Consulate, and the Norwegian Club of Toronto.
“I contacted the consulate and I asked them to come and give a talk,” recalls Vasserman. While officials at the consulate were not able to attend the event, the Norwegian Club of Toronto stepped into the breach. It’s not a sponsorship relationship; it’s more of a cultural collaboration.
“My main point of all my events is to bring awareness of classical music, especially for younger generations,” Maya says. It’s been one of her mandates since she began One-of-a-Kind Concerts.
Young audiences aren’t her only focus. Earlier in December, she presented a concert for an adult audience focused on the music of Edith Piaf.
“Everything we do is catered for adults, and catered for children, and catered for seniors.”
Edvard Grieg, a composer of the Romantic era, is known for his lyrical and evocative pieces. Many, like the Peer Gynt suite, were written with a story in mind. It’s music that has a broad appeal, and as she points out, many children have already heard In The Hall Of The Mountain King.
For the concert, Vasserman has written a story revolving around the music. “Our story is very broad; it’s about Norwegian folk culture.” Nature is a strong theme in the narrative she’s written to weave together the various pieces, with character’s she’s added to the Peer Gynt story including the Butterfly and the Swan. “Playful stuff.”
The Program
The all-Grieg program in full includes:
- Prelude from Holberg Suite op. 40 (piano solo)
- Morning Mood from Peer Gynt Suite (piano trio)
- Butterfly Op. 43 no.1 (piano solo)
- Little Bird Op. 43 no. 4 (piano solo)
- Waltz Op. 13 no. 2 (guitar duo)
- Death of Ase from Peer Gynt Suite (string duo)
- Norwegian Dance Op. 35 no. 2 (piano 4 hands)
- March of the Dwarfs Op. 54 no. 3 (flute and piano)
- In The Hall Of The Mountain King from Peer Gynt Suite (piano trio)
- Notturno Op. 54, No. 4 (guitar solo)
- Anitra’s Dance from Peer Gynt Suite (piano trio)
- Swan Op. 25 (soprano and piano)
- Varen Op. 34 no. 2 (flute and piano)
- Solveig’s Song (soprano and piano)
- Wedding Day At Troldhaugen (piano four hands)
Tchaikovsky’s Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy from The Nutcracker Suite, performed by Sophie Wang & Alyson Guan:
Performers
Performers include a roster of professional artists, as well as student musicians. “I’m involving my best students, they’re both 13.” They students, who are studying at advanced RCM levels, perform The Norwegian Dance and Wedding Day pieces as duets, along with solo works. Involving younger performers adds to the appeal for younger audience members. “The thing is to bring classical music to a younger generation,” she says.
As she points out, kids aren’t usually part of the audience. As a teacher with a studio that includes some 50 students, she knows that when students are involved in a concert, their whole family and friend group tends to show up.
There aren’t many classical music offerings for the younger set. “It saddens me very much,” she adds. “Classical music is so good for children.”
Soprano Holly Chaplin performs and also serves as host for the concert. She’ll launch the story, and lead the audience through it from musical selection to musical selection. “It’s our first project with her. She’s very active in the Toronto community,” Vasserman says, noting Chaplin’s beautiful voice and strong stage presence.
The concert will also finish with a trivia quiz and prizes, again designed for younger audience members.
“It’s very engaging. It’s a bit different.”
As a result of incorporating different artists, she’s also been able to include a variety of arrangements and instrumentation, including piano trio, flute and piano, voice, and various solo performances.
She’s also including a violin duet with guitarist Alina Grunina. “She’s also doing an arrangement for guitar solo, originally for piano,” Maya says. “I really like bringing many different ensembles. It’s more engaging and more interesting,” she adds.
“I see this as my mission in life. I really want to bring enlightenment with classical music.”
Performer Bios
Catherine Sulem, Violin
After graduating from the Conservatoire de Nice in France, Catherine continued her studies at the Conservatoire national Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris. There, she graduated with first prizes in violin and chamber music. Sulem has performed in recitals across France, Germany, and Canada, along with concertos with the French Radio Orchestras, and the Israel Sinfonietta, with whom she played as principal first violin for five years. Since relocating to Canada, she has performed with various chamber ensembles, along with Toronto Sinfonietta.
Maya Vasserman, Piano
Pianist, music educator, and founder of One-of-a-Kind Concerts Maya Vasserman graduated from the Tel Aviv University with a Master’s in Piano Performance and Music Education. She has more than three decades of performing and teaching experience. Her background includes a range of performance from solo and chamber music to jazz ensembles and collaborations with other musicians.
Janusz Borowiec, Cello
Janusz Borowiec is a graduate of both the Frederic Chopin Academy of Music in Warsaw and the
University of Toronto. He has performed with the Polish Radio and TV Chamber Orchestra, and with Orquesta Sinfonica de Mineria in Mexico City. In Canada, he has performed as a soloist with the Toronto Sinfonietta, Peterborough Symphony Orchestra, Trinity Chamber Ensemble, and Orchestra da Camera Toronto, among other ensembles.
Holly Chaplin, Lyric Coloratura Soprano
Holly Chaplin has performed in opera, oratorio, and recitals, with a repertoire that includes Mozart, Handel, and Donizetti, as well as contemporary composers. The versatile vocalist has performed with orchestras, chamber ensembles, and choral societies. Along with her performing career, Holly is a dedicated arts educator, and is equally devoted to outreach, and sharing a passion for music with young people.
Dmitriy Varelas, Flute
Composer, arranger, performer, and teacher Dmitriy Varelas studied at the Tashkent State
Conservatory and The Sibelius Academy. Alongside a versatile multi-genre performing career, he has more than two decades’ experience as an educator, and teaches piano, flute, saxophone, composition, and theory lessons using Traditional, Suzuki, Yamaha, and RCM methods (up to ARCT). As a composer, his works have been published internationally, and performed by orchestras and ensembles across Europe, Asia, and North America.
Alina Grunina, Guitar
Alina Grunina graduated with honours from Kharkov State College of Music, and went on to continue her music studies at the Manhattan School of Music in New York. Alina has also participated in master classes with acclaimed artists such as David Russell, Roland Dyens, Ricardo Iznaola, and David Tanenbaum. The versatile musician has performed as a soloist, chamber musician, and accompanist, appearing at concerts, festivals, radio, and television broadcasts. As an instructor, she has taught at the Long Island Conservatory of Music and Queens Music and Dance School, and nowadays in her private studio in Richmond Hill.
Alyson Guan, Piano
Alyson is a 13 year old Grade 8 student at Glen Shields Public School in Thornhill. She has been playing piano since the age of four, and studies with Maya Vasserman. Alyson is a graduate of the Royal Conservatory of Music, and is currently working towards her ARCT diploma.
Sophie Wang, Piano
Sophie, age 13, is a Grade 8 student at Glen Shields Public School in Thornhill. She studies at Maya Vasserman’s private studio, and is currently working on Level 9–10 repertoire from the Royal Conservatory of Music.
Daniella Snegirev, Guitar
Daniella Snegirev is a dedicated guitar student of Alina Grunina, exploring a wide range of
repertoire from Baroque to contemporary styles.
Peer Gynt’s Adventures
The concert is designed for kids aged six and older, teens, and the young at heart.
It takes place January 18, 2026, at the Lawrence Park Community Church.
- Find concert details and tickets [HERE].
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