Happy New Year. Masterclass Lady Is In The Building!

January 8, 2014 by Masterclass Lady 5 Comments


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Welcome to the Year 2014! And I hope the Holiday Season was a bright and magical for you.

I had a wonderful Christmas and it was very difficult to tuck away my Christmas decorations. However, all good things must come to an end as we prepare for an even better year ahead of us.

There are so many topics to anticipate and discuss within the MCL community. Here are some of the highlights:

American Idol XIII promises to get back to its roots and I have to say that I think we are in for a very special season in 2014. I am particularly intrigued that Rickey Minor’s band, which includes vocal coach Dorian Holley, has been invited back. As you may know, Ricky and Dorian are both regulars on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. However, since Jay Leno is retiring, they are free agents and American Idol is wise to have wooed them back to the fold.

And speaking of Jay Leno, since he is retiring, Jimmy Fallon will step up to the plate and grab the reins of the Tonight Show with his edgy, zany, tech savvy brand of humor. This should be a great ride for Jimmy and I am sure that he will attract a younger demographic.

However, I will miss Jay Leno’s witty humor and classy interviews. He is the hardest working guy in the business and I am sure we will see him pop up in another format very soon. He is leaving at the top of his game. Smart!

The Olympics are coming! In Sochi Russia! Even if you are not a sports fan, I am sure you will be drawn into the competition. It is always exciting and there is always some drama happening at some point. Ha!

David Archuleta is scheduled to return from his two-year Mormon mission. This has been a long two years for his fans; however, I know that his voice and his music will be treasured to an even higher degree upon his return. He still sounds exceptional.

Awards shows will dominate the winter and spring season, beginning with the Golden Globes on Sunday, January 12th. The Oscars are slated to air on Sunday, March 2nd and the Tonys sometime in June.

Season 6 of The Voice will begin in February and, once again, Shakira and Usher will fill Christina’s and Cee Lo’s chairs. Which means that the show should be even stronger this season!

And we will continue following one of my favorite new groups, Forte, after their very successful run on America’s Got Talent. They have been extremely busy since the show ended, which included releasing a new CD, staging a Carnegie Hall debut in November and a three-day-run at the Tropicana in Las Vegas over New Year’s. They are off to the races and an unstoppable force.

I also am a huge fan of many former American Idol contestants such as Taylor Hicks, Katharine McPhee, Bo Bice, Carrie Underwood, Constantine, David Cook, David Archuleta, DeAndre Brackensick, Kelly Clarkson, Jessica Sanchez, Michael Johns, Jason Castro – just to name a few.

And Michael Buble and Billy Joel have remained constant in my heart.

Finally, I have to share that The Following and Bates Motel are my guilty pleasures. I am hooked and very excited to see these shows continue . Let the madness begin!

So, what did I miss? Fill in the blanks, MCL friends, and add your favorites and your opinions.

American Idol, American Idol Season 13, Jay Leno, Music, Singing, Television, Vocal Masterclass Articles

About Masterclass Lady

Rosanne (Giallonardo) Simunovic began her musical career in Timmins, Ontario. She studied piano with Anne Pizzale and later, at an advanced level, with Soeur Anita Vaugeois (Sister Cecile of Les Soeurs De L’Assomption in Timmins). Her vocal and accompaniment skills were nurtured by her aunt, the late Dorothea Mascioli. When Rosanne graduated from O’Gorman High School, she moved on to the University of Toronto where she continued her piano and vocal studies while attaining a Bachelor of Arts Degree. She was hired as a piano accompanist for several musical companies, most notably, the National Ballet Of Canada. She presently holds an A.R.C.T. Teacher’s Diploma in Voice from the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. Rosanne has studied choral conducting with numerous well known Canadian Conductors, including Wayne Riddell of Montreal, Quebec and the internationally renowned Dr. Elmer Iseler. She has been a founding member of numerous community-based arts organizations: the Timmins Arts Council, later known as Arts & Culture Timmins, the Timmins Symphony Orchestra, and, the Timmins Youth Singers…as well as the TYS Alumnus choir, the Timmins Concert Singers. In 1987, she was also selected to be the conductor of the Timmins Board Of Education Choir, comprised of talented students from Grades 5 to 8. In 1988, she was elected to the Board Of Directors of the Ontario Choral Federation (now known as Choirs Ontario), where she served as Chair of the Festivals Committee for six consecutive seasons. In 1996, in honour of the Ontario Choral Federation’s 25th Anniversary, Rosanne was selected as one of 25 recipients of the OCF’s Distinguished Service Award for outstanding contribution to the choral art. The ceremony was presided by Lieutenant Governor, Hal Jackman. In November 1997, Rosanne Simunovic was selected by the Rotary Club Of Timmins to receive the prestigious Paul Harris Award for her years of dedication to the artistic development of young musical talent in Timmins. In August of 2002, Rosanne Simunovic was selected by the Board Of Directors of Choirs Ontario to serve as Conductor of both the Provincial Junior and Teen Choir Camps, now renamed in honour of the Camp Benefactors, Don and Lillian Wright. In November 2002, Rosanne was the one of the recipients of the Commemorative Medal for the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, honouring her work in the development of the arts in Timmins. Under Rosanne Simunovic’s direction, the Timmins Youth Singers and the Timmins Concert Singers have been featured in numerous choral festivals and performing opportunities outside of Timmins. In 1985, they were selected to partici
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5 Responses to “Happy New Year. Masterclass Lady Is In The Building!”

  1. janey79 January 9, 2014 at 12:42 am

    Thanks for the 2014 preview. I’m curious about American Idol and I’m excited to see what Harry Jr. brings to the table, hopefully something that will give us all “goosies”.

    And what can I say about the return of David Archuleta that you don’t already know, ha ha 🙂

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  2. Kariann Hart (@KariannHart) January 9, 2014 at 3:15 am

    Rosanne, I like every singer you have mentioned; however, Siobhan Magnus remains my favorite female contestant to appear on the show. Of course, Jason Castro remains my favorite male! I do look forward to David Archuleta ‘s return and hope to see him on Idol this season. Secretly, I wonder if he’s grown any taller? LOL.

    Award season began tonight, and Jennifer Hudson received the People’s Choice “Humanitarian Award.” Good for her; sad about her family’s death.

    Did I ever tell you that Elvis Presley and Karen Carpenter are my favorite singers?

    I am looking forward to the return of American Idol! I like the judges panel, and from I have seen there are several terrific contestants in the TOP 31. My daughter and I are attending the Idol premiere presentation at our local theater on Tuesday. I know it will also be on the Internet; however, it is always cool to be with other Idol fans. Last year, we got an Idol tee-shirt and free pop & popcorn. I remain a devoted fan of the show.

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  3. Masterclass Lady January 9, 2014 at 11:57 am

    Kariann and Janey. Welcome again!

    I am so pumped about American Idol – especially the return of Rickey Minor and Dorian Holley. Thank! Heavens! Such amazing musicians and I know that they will work incredible magic through their artistic guidance and musical arrangements.

    Kariann – I love Karen Carpenter and Elvis! Gorgeous voices and, more important, truly unique artists that will live in our hearts forever.

    Janey – I cannot wait to see David again. And, as Kariann mentioned, I wonder if he has indeed grown? I never thought of this aspect. Haha

    I will have to catch up on the Top 31. If anyone has links to their videos, please add them.

    More to come from me later…

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  4. janey79 January 10, 2014 at 9:48 am

    MCL and Kariann, from many accounts of RMs (returning missionaries) we can expect that David has grown – in confidence, maturity and in spirit. And if the recent videos from the Christmas performances in Chile are any indication his voice has “grown” too – deeper, richer and fuller. Ok, done with the David mentions, ha ha. Carry on my friends.

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  5. Kariann Hart (@KariannHart) January 26, 2014 at 2:50 pm

    Oh no, don’t stop! Thanks, Janey! Rosanne, things look very interesting on Idol. I want to hear all 30-31 contestants sing!!

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