A local first responder is trading his medical kit for a guitar case this weekend as part of a unique provincial arts showcase. Brady Wills, a paramedic representing the Durham Region, has been named as a headline performer for Artists in the Ambulance 6, an annual concert and art event taking place in Toronto on Sunday, May 17. The event, organized by longtime Peel paramedic Mary Kate Terepka, serves as both a creative outlet for front-line workers and a major fundraiser for Wounded Warriors Canada, an organization dedicated to first-responder mental health.
The Artists in the Ambulance 2026 lineup features a diverse array of current and former paramedics who use the arts to process the high-stress nature of their profession. For Wills and his colleagues, the stage offers a therapeutic space to channel the complex emotions encountered during emergency calls. This year’s sixth edition is particularly significant as it features an eclectic mix of genres, ranging from acoustic folk to electronic sets, highlighting the “human face” of the people who enter residents’ homes during their most vulnerable moments.
Beyond the musical performances, the Artists in the Ambulance 2026 event includes a silent auction featuring handmade items crafted by the paramedic community. Attendees can bid on professional-grade pottery, stained glass, and paintings, with 100% of the proceeds going toward trauma-informed workplace training and PTSD support programs. In past years, the event has raised upwards of $8,000, and organizers are hopeful that the inclusion of high-profile additions—like former ILLScarlett member turned paramedic Jake Robertson—will draw a record crowd this Sunday.
The participation of a Durham representative in the Artists in the Ambulance 2026 showcase underscores the region’s strong commitment to peer support and mental wellness within its emergency services. Durham paramedics have been increasingly vocal about the benefits of “occupational therapy” through creative hobbies, a movement that Terepka says helps shed tears “that aren’t necessarily about the song” but are essential for long-term career resilience. The event provides a rare opportunity for the public to interact with paramedics in a celebratory, non-emergency environment.
For those in the Durham Region looking to support their local first responder, the Artists in the Ambulance 2026 concert will take place at Rosario’s (3030 Dundas St. W., Toronto) from 7 p.m. to midnight. Tickets are $25, and the event is open to the general public. Organizers emphasize that while the performers share a profession, their artistic styles are entirely unique, ensuring a night of high-quality entertainment that transcends the “ambulance” theme.
As the region continues to navigate the challenges of healthcare staffing and front-line burnout, initiatives like Artists in the Ambulance 2026 serve as a vital reminder of the individuals behind the uniform. By supporting Brady Wills and the rest of the Ontario-wide lineup, the community is investing directly in the mental health infrastructure that keeps our paramedics ready to answer the next call.
