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
VERY well written article, Rosanne. Love your music knowledge and training. And, I am totally in agreement with you about Forte’s future. I have been posting that they are so on their way to super stardom – since the Q finals – they just don’t know it yet. Well, maybe they finally got it after that brilliant performance last night. BRAVO!
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i don’t watch (and have never watched) this show, but i do read your comments to keep at least somewhat in the know. i’m glad you’re including these videos. this was great listening to.
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MCL, I’ll take a serving of Italian-ish with my pasta any day of the week and twice on Sundays. And like you, I was like, where’s the rest of the song? I think AGT owes us the full version when Forte wins! Lol.
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Oh, wasn’t quite finished, what is it about singing that gives one goosebumps and chills? I’m asking seriously, what is the audio-nerve connection that allows that phenomenon to take place? Do you know? I had chills from start to finish listening to Forte’s performance.
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Thanks so much everyone. I think – to address Janey’s question – singing combines lyrics and music to stir powerful emotions in a person. It can conjure up memories, soothe the soul and move the spirit in a way that instrumental music cannot do.
When you combine these factors with the vocal artistry that we continue to hear and see from Forte, then the musical experience can move one to tears. Their harmonies were so perfect, so beautiful and the emotion was captured in a very genuine way
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And, when you put those 3 gorgeous voices in 3 gorgeous men and put them on stage, it’s enough to make you bawl your eyes out! (Spoken like a true woman)… ; )
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Just was able to watch my PVR – they gave me chill the moment the music started. It truly was over all too fast – didn’t even seem like 90 seconds. These three young men astound me with the level of connection between them and how they use it to reach out to all listening and make us FEEL.
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Suncatcher – I agree. Spoken like a true woman here also!! Haha
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Awestruck – they are pretty special, aren’t they? And so, so genuine. The complete package.
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MCL i’m glad you didn’t know what Forte was going to sing… nothing like the element of anticipation!
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Yes indeed. I suspected they would choose another genre but didn’t even want to say it in case I jinxed it. Haha
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I am a big fan of these singers, but after reading this comment:
“And, when you put those 3 gorgeous voices in 3 gorgeous men and put them on stage, it’s enough to make you bawl your eyes out! (Spoken like a true woman)… ; )”
I am wondering – why people who are so impressed by classical singers on these talent shows don’t go to opera? There are many more of those gorgeous voices there, there actually are better voices there too, not to mention an opportunity to hear these great voices without any electronic distortion. So why not? Yes, Forte are great, but is there singing together really better than listening to 6 great different voices singing for example a sextet from Lucia? I am really just curious because classical singers on these shows always amaze people and give them goosebumps, yet same people has no clue about wonderful singers performing in their local opera theater or if the Met HD broadcsasts.
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