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
April 15, 2015 
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Get this: According to the official AI website, only the Top 5 make the summer tour. I have ‘tweeted’ the AI ‘team’ asking for clarification.
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I know James. It is pretty depressing but the times they are a-changing. I guess the $$$ aren’t there anymore.
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Tonight had to be one of the most uncomfortable nights on Idol ever. I can’t decide what to think about the dustup between Quentin and Harry.
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What happened Laura? My cable and internet were out this evening so I didn’t get to see the show.
I am looking forward to MCL’s Masterclass piece if she is able to do one this week.
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Ryan noticed that Quentin was upset after his 1st performance and asked him what was wrong. He replied that was upset that his friends were in the bottom 2 and then said it was “wack”. Harry misunderstood and thought that Quentin was referring to the whole show and lectured him about not biting the hand that fed him. Ryan later had Quentin clarify his comments so Harry understood but you could tell how upset he was even during his 2nd performance. It was so uncomfortable on multiple levels that I think I’ll have to watch the show again just to be able to judge the rest of the night.
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Wow, I see what you mean. Thank you for the additional information.
I understand that Joey was eliminated tonight as well. It doesn’t pay to be too different on these shows I guess.
Thanks again.
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It was an interesting show tonight. Indeed Quentin did make that “wack” comment because Joey and Rayvon were in the bottom two. I think this Twitter Save is a bunch of baloney. Just tell us who got the least amount of votes. I wanted Joey to be in the TOP 5 so she’d be on tour. I’d rather see Quentin go home. I don’t like his attitude. Indeed, Harry misunderstood what Quentin was trying to say. I liked Jax performances, and I am seeing improvement in Nick’s songs. He just needs to relax a bit more.
I still think it is Clark’s to lose.
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This was an excellent show performance – wise. One of the best group of singers I have seen in a long, long time. I have no idea who is going to win this show. They are all so good.
I am still away from home so I saw bits and pieces of the show last evening. Will add an VM article sometime this weekend. Sorry for the delay everyone. Keep the comments coming.
Oh and P.S. – that meltdown between Quentin and Harry was just awkward and strange. If I didn’t know better, it seemed scripted. Or maybe I do know better? Something seemed very disingenuous about the whole tirade.
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I applaud Quentin for helping to clarify his position to Harry. Harry has been on his back all season. Jumping on Quentin as he did because he said two great singers were B2 and twisting his words was OVER KILL. Saying he should go home was a not to subtle message to vote him out. I was glad actually cheering when Quentin walked over and clarified his remark to the viewing audience. I am loathing Harry more and more. IMO Quentin is by far the best performer. Captivating and his voice is interesting, incredible tone and yes a few pitch breaks but nothing horrific. Clark has a beautiful voice yes but he is like watching grass grow. BORING. I find I loose interest and blog vs watch him. Same with Tyanna (except when she sang stay).
I think the twitter save is a bunch of malarkey. Seriously, Rayvon has more lives than a cat. My entire twitter feed was save Joey. Rayvon is this seasons Syesha. No fanbase always polled as going but is saved week after week? I think not.
Then Harry saying Clark is the only musician? Look at the photo of the contestants. Quentin death stare, Nick laughing at Harry, Tyanna stank face, Jax rolling her eyes and Rayvon look of disgust.
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Oh and P.S. – that meltdown between Quentin and Harry was just awkward and strange. If I didn’t know better, it seemed scripted. Or maybe I do know better? Something seemed very disingenuous about the whole tirade.
I couldn’t comment last night because I was putting away all the Passover dishes and pots and things and running back and forth to catch parts of the show, but I caught that and it really did sound like Harry was reciting from a memorized script, and didn’t enjoy it, either. (Maybe TPTB wanted sympathy votes for Quentin?)
It also seemed to me that Harry was very frustrated–it looked to me like he was REALLY wanting to sit down and argue about interpretation and musical choices for hours with both Clark and Joey (as he would in a long jazz jam session), but of course he couldn’t do that. That may be what that odd “musician” comment was about, he was figuring that Joey was going home, and those are the two that he feeks are in his musical wheelhouse, that he can see as up-and-coming colleagues, that are near enough to his genre of music that he can see having a good give-and-take with.
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Outbursts are usually symptomatic of something other than a reaction to the immediate situation. In Harry’s case, he gave his frustration two or three times during the show by acknowledging his frustration at not being able to counsel and mentor, a la The Voice, because of the AI judge role. Because he can’t do that he gets crazy nutty over the same mistakes each contestant is making each week. His crazy nutty gets bigger as the weeks go by and the problems aren’t resolved. (I am not sure if the problems would be correctable by producers, mentors, the contestants, or Harry for that matter – he did an awful job with Amber Holcomb and I immediately thought of that when Joey sang My Funny Valentine – in the show’s time frame and format.) He has been yapping at Quentin all season just like any sports coach would yap at a gifted player that just doesn’t measure up to potential because the player won’t take the advice. He cares more for Quentin than Quentin can fathom.
Quentin’s issue is minor league schizoid. He seems like a genuinely caring person. His projected persona is just the opposite. So Harry is giving him a watered down version of J.K Simmons’ role in Whiplash and Quentin is reacting with abrasiveness and frustration to the advice and the manner in which is given. Harry seems much like a Simon Cowell reprise of Simon getting contentious with contestants but in a more genuinely positive way than Cowell ever intended.
Personally I think the producers should make the golden ticket winners sit down as a group prior to coming back on stage and watch the movie Highlander. On American Idol there can be only one. Quentin forgot that and forgot he is playing for a shot in the music business and needs connections like those of AI. Harry was saying in his own inimitable way, as was JLo, but I am convinced no one really heard them.
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My take is that Quentin wasn’t thrilled at what he was hearing from Harry during the critiques and tried to use the allusion to the bottom two as damage control.
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Well, we can psychoanalyze the crap out of this Harry/Quentin exchange and still come up empty. Something pretty “wacked” – as Quentin would say – is going on behind the scenes on that AI set.
And it is a head scratcher!
We have 6 really talented, really unique singers on that stage so I am very surprised at the negative vibe permeating the show this year. It is such a contrast to the positive, “feel good” vibe on The Voice.
And Harry realized what he signed up for so enough dissing the mentors working with these singers. It is disrespectful. He is not the only one with knowledge on that panel or, indeed, behind the scenes.
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Was sorry to see Joey leave last night, but didn’t love “My Funny Valentine. . My favorite is most definitely Clark. Not at all fond of Jax. I like Tyanna, and Rayvon. Sometimes like Quentin. Am bored by Nick.
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I agree with Idol Girl’s assessment of the situation. Harry rightfully called Quentin out for not improving his vocals. Instead of throwing a temper tantrum about that, the lesson learned is that you should listen to and apply the instructions that these music industry professionals are giving you in order to make you a better performer.
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Some thoughts:
1. It will be INTERESTING to see if AI honchos will face a MAJOR backlash for having only the Top Five touring this year. I wonder how young Mr. Seavey feels about this AI may reverse this decision if enough people complain.
2. Had this BS been if effect during 2011, Heejun, Colton, Deandre, Holly and ‘country woman’ would have been left at home.
3. The current judging panel needs to be adjusted: Read my earlier comments.
4. I need to go ‘Smaug’ on this show:)
5. Each finalist would also have a guaranteed summer tour spot.
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The economic realities are that last year (and I believe for the past few yearsr), the tour has been playing to more and more empty venues, and that’s way too much of a financial drain to maintain–and if they have fewer performers they can use smaller (and cheaper and easier to fill) venues. Moreover, they pay the Idols quite a hefty sum for a few months work, so cutting the roster in half is a substantial savings as well. I’m afraid that they won’t care in the least if people complain, since those people haven’t been buying tickets and there’s no reason to assume they will this year either.
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I agree with MasterClassLady about the contrast in the vibes of the two shows. The positive vibe of The Voice is why a lot of my friends and family have quit Idol over the years and are now into The Voice.
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MJ’s has Joey’s exit interview on her site (http://www.mjsbigblog.com/joey-cook-dishes-on-american-idol-and-quentin-alexander.htm)–what a mature, classy lady Joey is! I have hopes for her future success, since she has a distinctive, personal sound and true musicianship. I doubt she’d ever be a Top 40 hitmaker (and I doubt she’d ever want to fit into that niche), but she should be able to make herself a solid career.
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That AI tour is sure going to be ridiculous without Joey there. It just doesn’t make sense. She was the one I most looked forward to hearing every week. I really don’t see how they think they are going to make any money just having the Top 5 tour. That Harry sure has alot of nerve saying Clark is the only musician. It’s terrible how they pimp the crap out of he and Jax, and don’t show enough courage and support to the others.
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I agree Anita. I feel that all are deserving and are incredible musicians.
Jennifer and Keith are very diplomatic and try to find something positive to say to all of them, while giving good critique.
Harry just tries too hard, I find, just to create the impression that he knows more than the other two. He needs to relax. We all know he is an incredible musician but his approach his too dogmatic for my taste.
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I’m not sure how I missed this last week, but Michael Slezak has a really good one-on-one interview with Joey on YouTube: https://youtu.be/WNHWqrxzquk. (There’s a bit missing in the middle, but it comes back if you hold on.)
I can’t wait to see what she comes up with in “real life”!
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