And A New Year Begins!

January 4, 2009 by Masterclass Lady 18 Comments


Happy New Year one and all!

I hope all of you have had a relaxing and healthy holiday and are ready to begin another year full of fun, surprises, success and, most of all, good health.

I had a wonderful time over the Christmas season and am happy to announce that my younger daughter, Maria, announced her engagement to a wonderful young man. As you can well imagine, we are very excited here and that explains my lack of presence on the MCL site. We have been very busy booking venues for the ceremony and reception, the photographer, the musicians etc. I think we have done all we can do – for the moment. Ha!

And, of course, I am all geared up for the American Idol Season 8 premiere next week. I believe the start date is January 13th, 2009 and the show is offering a new format this season. Plus, we cannot forget about the new judge added to the triumvirate of Paula, Simon and Randy – Kara DioGuardi.

However, I am anxiously waiting to view the historical Presidential American Inauguration on January 20th, 2009, starring President-Elect, Barack Obama. Just typing this man’s name, I get goosebumps. What an exciting time for Americans and for the world. This man will change the course of history; there will be “bumps” along the way, but, certainly this wonderful and talented man has the capability, skill, drive and determination to weather any storm and circumvent any obstacle.

Please add your comments – what made your holiday special for you.  What are you looking forward to in 2009?  Any resolutions?   Please share!

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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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18 Responses to “And A New Year Begins!”

  1. Rereader January 5, 2009 at 10:16 am

    Congratulations and mazel tov on your daughter’s engagement! How exciting!

    Like

  2. Bizzee24 January 5, 2009 at 10:52 am

    Congratulations to your daughter and your family – what an exciting time!

    Like

  3. masterclasslady January 5, 2009 at 12:04 pm

    Thanks so much ReReader and Bizzee! It is an exciting time and the marriage will take place on December 30th, 2009. A New Year’s wedding – well almost. We couldn’t find a venue for the reception on New Years’ Eve (big surprise), so the 30th it is! Lots of fun planning for a winter wedding during the holiday season.

    Like

  4. Bizzee24 January 5, 2009 at 11:07 pm

    Awe, a winter wedding! How neat is that?? I can just imagine what the dress will be like! So exciting!

    Like

  5. janey January 6, 2009 at 12:04 am

    MCL….congratulations to your daughter and future son in law!

    From today…David singing the National Anthem perfectly at the Inauguration of Utah’s Governor…

    Like

  6. Kariann1 January 6, 2009 at 6:41 am

    How wonderful ~ your daughter is getting married next December. Having been the mother of the bride, there is so much to do. Congratulations to you daughter and future son-in-law!

    The holidays were nice with having four young Grandchildren to spoil! Unfortunately, we had a Family gathering on Dec. 21st. Out of 23 people, 19 came down with that horrible intestional flu. All the little ones were sick for Christmas, so it was a bit difficult.

    Yes, the new year is upon us and I share the same hopes and dreams that you do, MCL!!

    Like

  7. Kariann1 January 6, 2009 at 6:45 am

    Season 7 is a hard act to follow. I cannot imagine that it will be as exciting this year. I have watched AI since the beginning, and only twice have I gone wild over a contestant! Will there be another Jason in the group? ;o)

    Like

  8. marc January 6, 2009 at 8:32 am

    I second Rereaders mazel tov to you MCL! Congratulations on the terrific news!

    Like

  9. masterclasslady January 6, 2009 at 9:50 am

    Thank you so much for you congratulations and mazel tov! It is so appreciated and I thank you for sharing in my excitement.

    KariAnn – how deeply unfortunate that your Christmas celebration was hindered by the intestinal flu. All those little children, not to mention the adults, sick? What a shame. I take it that everyone is fine now?

    Janey – will watch David’s Star Spangled Banner. Thank you for sending it along. I am sure it will be as stellar as always. Such an amazing talent!

    Like

  10. Hazelnut40 January 7, 2009 at 12:53 am

    Happy New Year, MCL!! Congrats on your daughter’s engagement. No doubt the music will be glorious! 🙂

    We are all looking forward to another season of AI….which of course would not be the same without your critiques!!

    Like

  11. masterclasslady January 7, 2009 at 1:58 pm

    Thanks so much Hazelnut40 and a very Happy New Year to you as well. CanNOT wait to write my Masterclass articles once again for Season 8.

    Like

  12. Kariann1 January 10, 2009 at 11:41 am

    Thank you, MCL. We all are better.

    I am trying to figure out your blog and where the posts will be on Tuesday.

    There is a lot of hype about having a 4th judge; I think Kara will be good for the show! Randy is really getting on my nerves. Still not sure about the 36 contestants format.

    Like

  13. masterclasslady January 10, 2009 at 12:14 pm

    Hi KariAnn:

    I will be adding another blog topic about American Idol Season 8. Just a bit busy this afternoon, but will add it later on this evening.

    Looking forward to Kara DioGuardi and I think the 36 contestant format will be a good one. We shall see, though. It all comes down to the TALENT and Season 8 contestants have huge footsteps to fill, after the enormous success of Season 7.

    Like

  14. Kariann1 January 10, 2009 at 12:33 pm

    Great! Yes, I am so happy for the success David Cook and David A. are having. Jason is doing some positive things as well. Plus, there seem to be a lot of chemistry with this group!

    Like

  15. Erin January 10, 2009 at 2:11 pm

    I agree, MCL!! After the amazing talent last season, I think the bar has been set very high. I’ve read the judges think the guys stand out more than the girls. I want another guy winner this season but everyone else seems to want a girl.

    Like

  16. Kariann1 January 11, 2009 at 7:21 am

    Erin, they haven’t had a Latino winner yet, so we’ll see. My guess is that there will be 7 guys and 5 girls in the TOP 12.

    Like

  17. masterclasslady January 11, 2009 at 9:23 am

    Seven guys and five girls? You think? And, yes, they have never had a Latino winner, although 50% David Archuleta’s heritage is Latino.

    I would love to see a contestant that sings mainly Latino music, as well as one that is truly “retro” – another Michael Buble.

    Like

  18. louise7 January 12, 2009 at 11:17 am

    That you for letting us post about our favorite singer. Without this site, it would be really difficult to share the latest news about them.

    FREE SONG FROM AMERICAN IDOL’S MELINDA DOOLITTLE! GO TO http://www.melindadoolittle.com and get it NOW – FREE! New album released on February 3, 2009! Don’t miss it!

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