America’s Got Talent Act – Forte- Set To Inspire Us With Two Song Selections

September 16, 2013 by Masterclass Lady 8 Comments


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I can’t begin to tell you how exciting it has been to have a personal connection to Forte. In fact, it is almost surreal. Every time they step on the stage, I am both excited and nervous – it’s crazy.

However, they never fail to disappoint – their performances have been nothing short of spectacular. And the impact of their vocal presence is always augmented by their genuine, caring and gracious personas. How can anyone not love these guys? (Now, I am sounding like Seinfeld’s mother. Oy!). But it is true. They are fantastic guys.

As many of you know, my cousin, Paul Mascioli, manages Forte member Fernando Varela and co-manages Forte. He has been able to share what he could with me over the course of time but numerous details about their AGT journey has been privileged information – so, in many ways, I know as much as y’all before their performances.

Fernando is a powerhouse and has a gorgeous, chameleon-like voice that crosses multiple genres. He truly can “do it all” – he can sing “Nessun Dorma” with technical brilliance and then turn on a dime and knock “Bohemian Rhapsody” out of the ballpark. It really is exciting to witness. And, having met him, he is one of the nicest people one could ever have the privilege to meet. A real gem!

Josh Page has been on my radar for many years, ever since he was introduced to me by one of my former students, Kyle Scripnick. The two met one summer at Tanglewood in Boston. He is an extremely talented, driven and diverse artist with a beautiful vocal gift. A few years ago, I was scheduled to interview Josh, but life has a way of playing with your head and I, unfortunately, never did follow though. I hope to amend this in the very near future.

I am excited that Sean Panikkar completes the trio. He has been a wonderful addition to Forte, loaded with charisma and vocal prowess. He truly completes the package.

So, on Tuesday and Wednesday when they take to the stage, I would like to wish them the very best. I know they will take these final performances to heart and so will we! I will savour this two-night ride like a fine wine, where I hope beyond hope to see them crowned as winners of America’s Got Talent Season 8.

So, MCL readers, I am counting on your votes. If you value this blog and all that has been shared over the years, please propel these guys to the win via your votes. I will thank you endlessly for years to come with more articles than you can possibly read in a lifetime!!

America's Got Talent, Singing

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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8 Responses to “America’s Got Talent Act – Forte- Set To Inspire Us With Two Song Selections”

  1. awestruck September 16, 2013 at 11:16 pm

    I wish I could vote! Can hardly wait for tomorrow night.

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  2. Masterclass Lady September 16, 2013 at 11:31 pm

    Awestruck – Canadians can vote on Twitter and via Skype.

    Like

  3. Suncatcher September 16, 2013 at 11:38 pm

    Rosanne, once again, a wonderful blog from you about our favorite subjects! I have met so many nice folks, like you, along Forte’s journey here, on FB, Twitter etc. So many devoted Forte fans! I am sad to see the AGT part of the road come to an end as we at least got to see the guys every 2 weeks or so. After Wednesday, not so much. We hope you can be the “bridge” between them and their fans as they strike out on their next journey – that of recording & touring careers! They have already “won” – especially our hearts – because, as you write, of their “genuine, caring and gracious personas.” (And their phenomenal voices and harmony too)! I hope they win AGT 8. As has become my weekly duty, I will be voting for Sean, Fernando & Josh like mad in all digital manners afforded me! Like you, I wish them all the best life can offer them and their beautiful families. They sure deserve it! Will be in touch, Lady Rosanne, and many thanks for your elegant coverage of the birth of these 3 superstars.

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  4. louise September 17, 2013 at 11:17 am

    I feel a very slight connection to Forte too since learning that Sean Panikkar grew up about an hour or so from my home. They are quite the talent. I’ll be wishing them the very best tonight. I really do not see how they can lose.

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  5. janey79 September 17, 2013 at 12:21 pm

    MCL, excited to see if our wish comes true!

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  6. louise September 17, 2013 at 1:13 pm

    MCL,
    You will love Mel B’s prediction . . .

    http://www.today.com/entertainment/wholl-win-americas-got-talent-mel-b-makes-prediction-4B11182978

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  7. awestruck September 17, 2013 at 5:35 pm

    really MCL? Well then, I am voting!

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  8. Masterclass Lady September 17, 2013 at 5:37 pm

    Yes vote away Awestruck and fellow Canadians.

    Louise – I read that article and from her lips to God’s ears is all I have to say!! 🙂

    Can’t wait to hear what they will be singing tonight.

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