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
What a beautiful memory and so appropriate today on Canada Day….
LikeLike
Thank you so much Anne Marie. I appreciate your comments and also sharing this on Facebook. Call me whenever and we can “iPad” together if you have any questions. 🙂
LikeLike
Beautiful! Hope you get the chance to drag ’em down to my province (NL) some time for Festival 500. It would be a treat!
LikeLike
Maurice – thank you so much. However, I have retired now and the Youth Singers no longer exist. Just the memories, thank heavens! Your comment is most appreciated.
LikeLike
I almost forgot how beautiful it was!! Breathtaking arrangement! Definitely a highlight in my singing career!
LikeLike
Ahh thank you Aileen. It was many, many moons ago but to me it was like yesterday. You were an integral part of the success of this choir and feel blessed that we are still making music together.
And, to all the MCL readers who happen to read this, Aileen performed a gorgeous duet – The Prayer – with Fernando Varela of AGT discovery, Forte, when he appeared in Timmins. 🙂
LikeLike
Beautiful MCL, what a wonderful memory to celebrate Canada Day…
LikeLike
Awestruck – thank you so much. It is a beautiful memory that I will cherish forever.
LikeLike
Happy Canada Day, Rosanne! What lovely arrangements on both songs. Outstanding and so beautiful! Thank you for sharing.
LikeLike
Kariann – thank you so much. It was a beautiful Canada Day weekend and this video conjured up so many beautiful memories associated with this performing experience.
Happy Independence Day Eve to you!! Have a great one!
LikeLike