About Us

Who We Are

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.

Established in 2013 under the
award-winning artistic
direction of Edward Mavrinac

CCCS members rehearse online during the pandemic and look forward to performing again at sold-out concerts soon and offering free festival performances and popular sing-alongs at seniors’ residences throughout the GTA.

Our 2022 Mission

As we work to overcome the challenges of COVID-19, together we will foster a vibrant and enthusiastic choral community for members of all ages and cultural backgrounds and build a legacy of love for choral music by encouraging and developing future generations of choristers.

2022-2024 Board of Directors

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.

Should a member have to leave the board before the end of his/her term, the rest of the board may appoint a choir member to join them to serve until the next term begins.
We plan to elect new board members at a meeting of the full choir before the end of 2024.

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

Our Choir

BASSI

ZLATKO BOBESICH
TED MARUNCHAK
IVAN MILKOVIĆ
LEO ŠPRALJA
MIKE VALIĆ

TENORI

VINKO GRBIN
SLAVKO MAREK
TONI SALIS
BRANKO TOMINIĆ
MARKO VALČIĆ

CHOIR MEMBERS

HONOURARY MEMBER: BRANKO RADIŠIĆ

ALTI

ANITA GROSS
ZLATA HEČIMOVIĆ-LADELFA
BISERKA IGNJATOV
BRANKA KOMPARIĆ
MIRA LORKOVICH -OMURA
HILDE MESIĆ-FUCHS
NATALIE NOVAK DAKOVIĆ
MARY URSA

SOPRANI

JANJA DODIG
ANA IVANKOVIĆ
KATHY MAREK
ANA MARINOVIĆ
SUSAN MEDVED
BISERKA MILINKOVICH
IVANKA NARANČA
M. HELENA SOLIN
ANNIE ŠPIGELSKI
MARY SUDAC
AURORA SZAREK
JASMINKA TOMAC-BOGDANIĆ
IVKA URSA

YOUTH CHOIR

Artistic Director Edward Mavrinac

CCCS founding Artistic Director Edward Mavrinac has an extensive, award-winning musical background. He is founding Artistic Director of Folklore Ensemble Croatia Hrvatsko Prelo and co-founder of the Canadian Croatian Information Centre in Calgary. He was honoured to be awarded the Commemorative Medal for the 125th Anniversary of Canada from the Office of the Governor General of Canada “in recognition of significant contribution to compatriots, community and to Canada.” In addition to working with the CCCS, Ed regularly shares his knowledge, skills and love for music with his students.

Ed’s career highlights:

MUSICAL LEADERSHIP

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

PERFORMANCES

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

PRODUCTIONS AT/ FOR

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

EDUCATIONAL WORK & STUDIES

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

Who We Are

Established in 2013 under the
award-winning artistic
direction of Edward Mavrinac

Our 2022 Mission

2022-2024 Board of Directors

Should a member have to leave the board before the end of his/her term, the rest of the board may appoint a choir member to join them to serve until the next term begins.
We plan to elect new board members at a meeting of the full choir before the end of 2024.