Members of the CCCS come from all backgrounds, drawn together by a love of performing choral music and other genres, including classical, sacred, folk and contemporary. In addition to works from Croatia’s rich musical heritage, we also sing in English, French, German, Italian, Japanese and Greek. New members of all ages are warmly welcomed, and aside from a love of singing, no formal musical training is required and members do not need to speak any language other than English.
Established in 2013 under the award-winning artistic direction of Edward Mavrinac, CCCS members rehearse online regularly bi-weekly in the evenings during the pandemic and look forward to performing again at sold-out Spring and Christmas concerts and offering free festival performances and popular sing-alongs at seniors’ residences throughout the GTA as soon as public health guidelines permit.
Click below to see us in action and email us to learn more or to join the choir.
The Canadian Croatian Choral Society is led by a volunteer board of directors elected by choir members. Each board member serves two calendar-year terms, renewable for a maximum of four years. The board is responsible to members for establishing and executing the choir’s strategic plan and overseeing sub-committees including concert planning, fundraising and membership.
President: M. Helena Solin
Vice President: Michael Valic
Director of Policies and Grants: Hilde Mesić-Fuchs
Director of Special Events: Katerina Marek
Director of Memberships: Mary Ursa
Treasurer: Branko Radisic
Secretary: Anita Gross
Conducting award-winning choirs performing at Roy Thomson Hall, Toronto
Conducting 1,500 children’s voices for the Tribute to Lech Walesa concert at Copp’s Coliseum, Hamilton
Two tours in Croatia as a member of the Canadian-Croatian drama group Histerioni
Appeared in CBC television programs Debris of War and Dinner with Friends
Co-chairing Toronto’s World Day of Prayer and Hospitality Committee for Pope John Paul II’s visit to Toronto
Serving as Artistic Director of the World Folklore
Festival of Drummondville
Conducted choirs in Croatia and Austria
TV interview with Dobro Jutro Hrvatska (Good Morning, Croatia) and radio interview with Laudate
Two performing tours of Croatia as a member of the Canadian/Croatian drama
CBC television programs Debris of War and Dinner
with Friends
Solo performances of original worksat Roy Thomson Hall, Toronto
Mississauga Living Arts Centre
Croatia’s National Opera performance of
Nikola Subic Zrinjski
Co-producer, Omni TV documentary In the Heart of Gold Country – The Croatian Families of Schumacher
Pedagogical advisor, Toronto’s Royal Conservatory
of Music
Co-ordinator, Eastern European languages, Foreign Language Institute of Ottawa, Department of Foreign Affairs
Adjudicator and clinician for many music festivals and workshops
Published author, educational journal Music Matters
Music consultant, Hamilton-Wentworth
Roman Catholic School Board
Elementary and secondary music teacher, Etobicoke and Peel Boards of Education
Music instructor, Brock University
Completed theological and philosophical studies,
St. Augustine’s Seminary, Toronto
Honours Bachelor of Music Degree and Bachelor of Education, University of Toronto