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
May 20, 2008 
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Just judge the singers fairly – is that so hard at this stage of the competition?
MCL, I don’t know if that’s in their script! 😉
I gather they actually CHOSE those contest songs from the top 10 votegetters? Those are the best of the lot?! But I also heard that real musicians take one look at the contract being offered for the contest songs and quickly walk the other way, so what else can we expect?
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I don’t think we will see fair judging tonight since Simon has been doing the talk show circuit for the past 24 hours announcing who he thinks should win it. Even if his favorite bombs tonight he is not going to be fair. The timing of everything that has happened this season just reeks.
On a better note, I do appreciate both singers, but I feel Archie’s voice coursing through me when he sings. MCL, I know you love both for different reasons, but you stated something in a previous column I loved.
You said, “On the other hand, David Archuleta is a prodigy – he really is. He was born with the gift and whether it was highly nurtured through family or teachers is not the point. The point is – he responds to the musical guidance and runs with it.
I coach singers every day – have been doing this for 30 plus years and I can honestly say that I have only seen a handful of singers with the star factor walk through my studio. And, of this handful, only a half a handful followed my advice and have managed to cultivate a wonderful career in music.
True stars are more rare than one would think. And I don’t mean the present stars of today’s “popsicle”era of music – all sugar and little substance. The real stars who can sing with excellent artistry.”
Do you feel Archie is a true star? What advice would you give him if he doesn’t win AI?
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“Oy – Archie gets the cheesefest.”
MCL, that’s pretty much the type of songs “he” has chosen to do all season. Why would we expect it to all of the sudden be different at the end? I really don’t get why people are saying the show is out to get Archuleta.
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Idolone – I wish they had gone with a more soulful kind of song for David Archuleta. He may give it a soulful spin – have to wait and see.
It doesn’t help that Simon is blabbing to Leno and Ellen that David Cook will win. Why do that? Why? The element of surprise is truly spoiled, unless David A. ends up winning the title in the end. However, all signs point to Cook.
They are both signed to the label, so it doesn’r really matter. With two different coronation songs, they will be marketed to a different niche audience and it will be a win-win situation regardless of the outcome.
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WB – Archie is a star – of that you can be sure! I think that, under the blanket of American Idol, he hasn’t been free to sing in a style that truly identifies his brand of artistry.
He had a free rein in the first weeks of the Top 12, but in the last few weeks, all of that stopped. And so did the artistic liberty in his song choice.
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Just listened to the above two song writing contest songs; I think the songs chosen suit the personality of the singers and maybe that’s why they decided to go that route instead of trying to change things up for the finale…why mess with what got the final two there in the first place as the voters may not accept this. (Just a thought…) Although, I do agree that Archie does have the “cheesefest” repitoire…ah well.
I’m so excited that Cookie is singing U2’s “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For!”” I absolutely love that song and I think he can definitely rock it out!!
It is too bad that Simon has yapped to Ellen and Leno about who he thinks is going to win, poor Archie. How do you perform knowing what the judges already think…good thing it’s the public that gets to vote!
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MCL, Simon does this every season, why would this one be different? I agree on the win-win comment. My problem is that so many here and at other places are trying to make it sound like Cook is getting a free ride and didn’t work to get where he is or doesn’t deserve to be there. I’m sorry, but it all starts to sound like a big bowl of sour grapes after awhile.
I wanted to share this very interesting read, maybe it will make you see that Archuleta isn’t the only one that has had some obstacles to overcome.
http://www.americanidol.com/myidol/forums/topic/?tid=894224
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Idolone – I know he does, but it irks me every season and I’m fed up. Just let the Final 2 performances play out! It would make the show all the more interesting.
I think it only sounds like sour grapes because TPTB are campaigning for Cook instead of Archuleta at the most crucial time in the competition -The Final 2.
I would be just as angry if it was the other way around and it was like that at the beginning of Season 7. It was all about David A. and I thought: “Just let the kid sing and give the others singers a break already!”
And David Cook has certainly not had a free ride to the top, given the comments that were thrown at him at the start of this show and given the fact that he has had to deal with his own health issues.
I think both Davids are fighters and, quite frankly, it should be a tie! There -I said it – a TIE!
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Hello Marvelous MasterClassLady! I have been lurking here for most of the season. You’ve taught me a lot about singing (I have no voice, but I love to learn new concepts) and the attitude of respect here is refreshing and wonderful. I won’t even reveal who I’m voting for tonight–I, too, wish it could be a tie. It’s not like these young men will compete directly for music sales.
I wanted to ask here what the source is on the Songwriter Contest songs? I have been following many sites and have not seen these revealed elsewhere yet. Clearly there is somewhere I’ve not learned to lurk yet.
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MCL, I see so many post about one or the other being “pimped”. I just don’t see it. I think in the early rounds everyone was very impressed with Archuleta. I know I sure was. As time has gone on I think the judges like a lot of viewers (myself included) have gotten a bit bored with his love of slow inspirational songs. I also feel the people behind the show continue to choose this type of song for him because after his few attempts at up beat songs they don’t feel he can handle those. Just my thoughts on it.
Did you read the stuff at the link I posted?
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Hey MissBianca and welcome! Glad to be of vocal assistance and nice of you to stop by,
Someone emailed me the Coronation songs and that person is pretty reliable. I will delete it if not.
I don’t know where this person is getting the info.and I didn’t ask. So, mum’s the word! 🙂
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Idolone – yes I read the thread and am not surprised. I noticed that David A. had a ton of reverb added to his voice in the Top 3 showcase. I think they sound engineers are punching those buttons and twisting those dials at the whim of the producers.
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Something tells me that David A. is going to initiate major changes to the Elton John song. Well, if they let him. (sigh)
Hey, speaking of which, maybe Elton is on the show tomorrow per Clive Davis’ announcement that the biggest star in the world would be on the Finale.
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I hope you are right. I love Elton John and can’t wait to see his Vegas show.
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I think a very big factor tonight will be experience and vocal versatility, and that is why David Cook will and SHOULD come out on top (both winners, but only one Idol).
Of all the songs to choose from, I am wondering why David A would pick “Here I Am”. They lyrics are very cheesy. David Cook trumped him on this one…..sorry David A fans!
Now as for Clive’s choice for David A: Come on! Can he have picked a cheesier song? Give this kid some John Mayer or something more modern. I loved when he sang “World To Change” in auditions. This was an unfair song to give David A.
And as for David A singing Imagine, I am not surprised. As lovely as this performance was, however, it is not a smart choice. I personally think that Billie Jean was way more memorable and the media talked about it for days, so he would be competing against that one for the best performance of the season. The other point is this: David Cook is apparently singing something NEW, proving once again that he takes risks and likes to challenge himself as an artist. Compare this to David A who has gone with the safe choice, a reprisal.
That said, the 2 Davids were at the top of my list this year as favourites. I think David Cook deserves to win, but I also like David A and wish him the best. Judging by rumours, I think he’ll be fine because the talk is that both are getting signed.
And yes MCL, thank you for pointing out that David Cook had to fight to be where he is, as did David A.
Good luck to both of the Davids tonight!
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I’ve been saying since they got to Los Angeles that this was David Cook’s contest to lose. But I do wonder if Archuleta’s teen devotees cast enough votes for him to pull off the upset?
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To be fair, the contestants chose their own song from the Top 10 of the songwriting competition. David Archuleta has only himself to blame (well, actually he only has himself, his father, his arranger, and the rest of the team working with him to blame) for poor song choice.
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tsunamiwave7–I heard that too, but do you know if there’s anything better in there for David A. to choose?
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There have been too many singers thrown under the bus this season(not deservingly so) for me to be comfortable about the final 2.
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“Just judge the singers fairly – is that so hard at this stage of the competition?”
No MCL, it is not asking too much! All I want is for DC and DA to give top notch performances with all the talent they have. This should be a GOOD evening for all (I hope)!
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I am really pulling for David Archuleta tonight, and perhaps some will discount then my opinion that the show has been unfair to him and others. Simon has been particularly nasty in his comments today. This is a 17 year old kid who has inspired people, and Simon goes on Ellen to say he has no personality? I’m livid.
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Boy, they really stick to their scripts, don’t they? They’ve got both of them (if they want them, all they have to do is exercise their option), what difference does it make to their profits which of them wins?
(And after all, if they just want to sign artists they want, they don’t need a television series, they could just offer them contracts…)
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I don’t think it is scripted but I do think they try to manipulate people’s perception of contestants in order to get what they want. TPTB think it is time for a Rock Artist to win…
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rereader…I’m totally confused myself, offended and hurting. The clincher for me was reading a post the other day from one of the AI forum moderators explaining to a poster that the only direct link allowed was to TMZ, sure raised my eyebrows. I can’t wait for someone to publicly come forward someday and expose the creeps. These two kids, all of them really, are just being used.
kathylmh…I will also be pulling with all my might for David Archuleta tonight. I wish both the David’s good luck. Enjoy.
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For a little perspective:
http://www.showbuzz.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/05/20/tv_realty_tv/main4111244.shtml
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rereader said, on May 20th, 2008 at 9:42 pm (Edit)
For a little perspective:
http://www.showbuzz.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/05/20/tv_realty_tv/main4111244.shtml
Oh my, I feel so bad for Luke Menard. To think that he was truly ill when he appeared in the Top 24 showcase.
I am so happy that this form of cancer is treatable. This kind of heartbreaking news makes everything that is happening today and tomorrow seem so trivial in the grand scheme of things, doesn’t it?
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For a little perspective:
http://www.showbuzz.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/05/20/tv_realty_tv/main4111244.shtml
Don’t really know what to say….so sad! Your right, MCL, it does make everything else seem so trivial! I have a little cousin battling Neuroblastoma (a very rare form of childhood cancer); he was diagnosed at 6 months and is now 4 years old and is still fighting the fight..he has his good and bad days. But it does make me appreciate just how precious life is! We can get so caught up in our day to day tasks and busy lives, that we can forget that we are only human and can be so vulnerable. I wish Luke all the best and hope that he will recover.
On another note…only 30 minutes to the grande finale…so off I go to get ready!
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MCL, I just tried to post something but it got deleted 😦 not to sure what happened there…will try again.
It’s so sad to hear about Luke. I have a cousin battling Neuroblastoma (a very rare form a childhood cancer) he was diagnosed at 6 months and it now 4 years old and still fighting…he has his good days and bad days. But it reminds one just how precious life is. We get so caught up in the day to day tasks of life, that we forget how vulnerable we all are. Wishing Luke all the best and hopefully he will make a full recovery! No doubt he has great support from his family!
On a much happier note….now time for the finale…off to go watch it! 🙂
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oh there it is…weird! (gotta love technology) now I have two posts that are exactly the same (well three with this one…)
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