Olaf Kopvillem 100: Accompanied by Song — Live in Concert

Experience Estonian music across generations and genres with artists from Estonia, Canada and Australia, celebrating Olaf Kopvillem’s legacy.

A century after the birth of Olaf Kopvillem, four contemporary artists come together for an evening of music that crosses borders, generations and genres.

Olaf Kopvillem (1926–1997) was an Estonian-born singer, songwriter, humourist and choir leader who made his home in Canada after the Second World War. Beloved for his witty songs and his role in Estonian-Canadian cultural life, he helped keep music, language and community connections alive far from Estonia.

The concert is part of Olaf Kopvillem 100: Accompanied by Song (Saatis neid laul), a November 6–7 conference and music programme presented by VEMU Estonian Museum Canada. Bringing together researchers and musicians from Canada, Estonia and Australia, the gathering explores the history of Estonian music abroad and the ways artists continue to reinvent and share that heritage today.

Friday night’s lineup reflects that spirit: from inventive pop and electronic experimentation to turntablism and contemporary folk. Whether you have a personal connection to Estonia or are simply curious to discover something new, join us for a celebration of music’s power to connect people across distances and generations.

Meet the performers

Vaiko Eplik (Estonia)

One of Estonia’s most distinctive pop and rock songwriters, Vaiko Eplik is a singer, multi-instrumentalist and producer known for adventurous arrangements, memorable melodies and an unmistakably personal sound. Alongside his own music, he has taken an interest in collecting and bringing renewed attention to the work of Estonian-diaspora musicians. For this special concert, he will perform songs by Olaf Kopvillem, connecting the celebrated Estonian-Canadian songwriter’s legacy with a new generation of listeners.

Olev Muska (Australia)

Estonian-Australian artist and composer Olev Muska was pioneering the collision of traditional Estonian melodies and electronics decades before “folktronica” became a familiar term. His early electronic folk experiments and recordings of Estonian music reimagined folk traditions through synthesizers and unconventional production. His work offers a playful, boundary-pushing perspective on cultural heritage.

Explore his music and performances: https://www.olevmuska.com.au/-tracks

Watch: Olev Muska — Tuljak! (1980 recording)

Erik Laar (Canada)

Toronto-based producer, DJ, vocalist and turntablist Erik Laar blends electronic beats, live instruments and Estonian traditional song. Inspired in part by recordings in VEMU’s archives, he reworks fragments of Estonian regilaul, an old form of sung poetry, into contemporary soundscapes that bridge past and present.

Artist music and media: https://www.eriklaar.com/

Katariina Tirmaste (Estonia)

Flutist and experimental folk musician Katariina Tirmaste brings traditional melodies into unexpected new settings. Her music moves between acoustic folk, improvisation, voices and electronics, and she performs with ensembles including Kuula Hetke and Paberits & Tirmaste. Rooted in heritage yet full of curiosity, her approach makes old tunes feel strikingly new.

Watch: Paberits & Tirmaste — Aadu valts (Viljandi Vibes Live Sessions)

About the programme

Olaf Kopvillem 100: Accompanied by Song takes place November 6–7, 2026, in Toronto. The conference explores Estonian music beyond Estonia through presentations, conversations and performances, and concludes with a community sing-along on Saturday. Organized by VEMU Estonian Museum Canada.

This event is supported by the Estonian Foundation of Canada, the Estonian Central Council in Canada, the Embassy of Estonia in Ottawa, the Integration Foundation, the Estonian Ministry of Education and Research, and the Government of Canada—Thank you for your support!