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About the MSO

Background & History

The Mississauga Symphony Orchestra is recognized as Canada’s leading hybrid orchestra, combining professional musicians with highly skilled amateurs. Under the direction of Maestro Denis Mastromonaco since 2013, the MSO presents ambitious and engaging programs performed to the highest artistic standards.

Since welcoming the Mississauga Symphony Youth Orchestra in 2014, the organization has become the cornerstone of classical music in Mississauga, rooted in education, performance, and community engagement.

In addition to presenting diverse concerts that showcase the finest symphonic repertoire, the MSO has produced four acclaimed fully-staged operas and is a proud member of the Mississauga Music Walk of Fame – a testament to its enduring impact on Mississauga’s cultural landscape.

The Mississauga Symphony Orchestra is thrilled to present its thirteenth season under the direction of Maestro Denis Mastromonaco.

Structure & Leadership

Orchestras Mississauga, which includes the Mississauga Symphony Orchestra (MSO) and the Mississauga Symphony Youth Orchestra (MSYO), is governed by a dedicated volunteer Board of Directors. Our Board of Directors have been drawn from the local community, and from the orchestra. The Artistic Director and Managing Director sit Ex Officio. Both the Music Director and the Executive Director also sit on the Executive Committee. Both report directly to the Board at large. The Board also includes appointed representation from Mississauga City Council.

Board of Directors

The Mississauga Symphony Orchestra is guided by a dedicated Board of Directors made up of community leaders, professionals, and arts advocates who share a passion for music and culture. Together, they provide vision, governance, and support to ensure the MSO continues to enrich our community through outstanding concerts, innovative programs, and meaningful outreach initiatives.

Managing Director

Claudine LaRochelle

Claudine LaRochelle brings a wealth of experience in business management, fundraising, and community engagement to her role as Managing Director of Orchestras Mississauga. With a strong background in financial stewardship, donor relations, and event planning, she is dedicated to ensuring the organization’s continued growth and success.

Previously serving as Director of Fundraising and Development for the Mississauga Symphony Orchestra, Claudine played a key role in securing funding, cultivating relationships with donors and sponsors, and aligning development strategies with the orchestra’s artistic vision. Her ability to foster meaningful partnerships has been instrumental in expanding audience reach and strengthening the organization’s impact.

Beyond her work in the arts sector, Claudine has extensive experience in corporate training and entrepreneurship, equipping her with strategic leadership skills that she brings to Orchestras Mississauga. She is passionate about building connections and creating opportunities that support both musicians and the broader community.

As Managing Director, Claudine is committed to leading with vision, collaboration, and a deep appreciation for the role of music in enriching lives.

Artistic Director & Conductor

Denis Mastromonaco

The Mississauga Symphony Orchestra is thrilled to enter its eleventh season under the direction of Maestro Denis Mastromonaco. Mastromonaco has over 25 years of experience in conducting and teaching both symphonic and operatic groups. He has worked with orchestras nationally and internationally including Camerata Strumentale of Italy, Czech Republic’s West Bohemian Symphony Orchestra, Sofia Philharmonic and the National Arts Centre Orchestra.

A graduate of the University of Toronto, Maestro Mastromonaco went on to obtain a Master of Music Degree in Orchestral Conducting from the State University of New York. With extensive international training, he also holds diplomas in conducting from the Vienna Conservatory, the University of Salzburg and from the Accademia Musicale Chigiana in Siena, Italy. His work with distinguished conductors and orchestras include Salvador mas Conde, Jorma Panula, Gustav Meier, Hans Zender, Vancouver Symphony, Windsor Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony, and the Vidin State Philharmonic.

As an advocate for music in the community, Maestro Mastromonaco has been Music Director for numerous ensembles and has taught, adjudicated and served as clinician for schools, arts festivals and competitions all while promoting the importance of music in local communities. Mastromonaco has been the recipient of prestigious awards including the Emme Contestabile Prize in Orchestral Conducting from Accademia Musicale Chigiana, the City of Vaughan 2005 Outstanding Citizen Award and in 2013 the Ontario Service Medal for contribution to the arts.

Chair

Anne Milochik

Anne Milochik is a 30-year resident of Mississauga who strongly believes that Mississauga, a city with nearly 1 million residents, deserves a high quality symphony orchestra, and welcomes the orchestra’s designation as one of the Six Pillars of Arts, Culture and Heritage, as conferred by the City’s Culture Division. Anne is delighted to see the evolution in the quality of the MSO over the years, especially under the direction of Maestro Mastromonaco. Anne sees the establishment of the Mississauga Symphony Youth Orchestra as a positive influence to provide music education and training to the next generation of musicians with a goal of sustaining the symphonic art form in Mississauga.

A longtime subscriber to multiple renowned arts organizations in the GTA, Anne’s primary source of entertainment and extra-curricular interest has been music, including continuing as an adult piano student.

A pharmacist by training and a professional project manager by trade, Anne Milochik has been a member of several committees and boards of professional organizations throughout her career, including: the Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists (Education Committee), the Medical Information Group of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association of Canada (founding President), and the Project Management Institute (Pharmaceutical Special Interest Group; Lakeshore Chapter, Director of Programs; Southern Ontario Chapter, Marketing Committee, Nominations Committee).

Anne’s enthusiasm to promote awareness of the MSO in the community, to build the base of individual and corporate donors, and to grow interest in classical music with youth of various backgrounds, is a most welcome benefit to the board of directors.

Meet the Orchestra

With a combination of community musicians and professional section leaders, the MSO has earned a reputation as the best hybrid orchestra in Canada.

Structure & Leadership

HONORARY PATRON

Her Worship Mayor Carolyn Parrish

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Anne Milochik, Chair
Marie Carnihan, Vice Chair
Kevin Mann, Treasurer
Andreea Amariei, Secretary
Sabrina Anzini, Legal Counsel
Jeffry Mason, John Barnum Service Award Chair
Flora Suen, MSYO Chair
Lydia Kowalyk, Book Sale Liaison
Vickie Ho-Devine, Director at Large
Julia Pacitti, Director at Large
Lynda Falcone, Director at Large
Priya Vir, Director at Large

EX-OFFICIO

Denis Mastromonaco, Artistic Director
Claudine LaRochelle, Managing Director
Chris Fonseca, City Councillor

ARTISTIC STAFF

Denis Mastromonaco
Artistic Director & Conductor

Jennifer Tung
Assistant Conductor

Ondrej Golias
Librarian

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF

Claudine LaRochelle
Managing Director

Ryan Tobin
Director of Marketing & Production

Karen Stothart
MSYO Operations Coordinator

Duo Ma
Marketing Assistant

Chelsie Carnihan
Executive and Development Assistant

CREATIVE CONTRACTORS

Dave O’Donnell
Official Photographer

Creators at Play
Video Production & Editing

Members List

CM Concertmaster

* Principal

Flute

Carol Ann Savage *
Jin Cho
Rebecca Tuck

Oboe

Chieh-Ying Lu *‍
Victoria Hathaway

Clarinet

Colin Savage *‍
Janis Cadieux
Marco De Conno
Cathy Gallager

Bassoon

Ondrej Golias *‍
Susan Durnin

Horn

Elke Elbe *
Elizabeth Bowes
Laura Jack
Connor McGroarty
Denise Taylor

Trumpet

Sam Cancellara *‍
Neal Andrews
Todd Holland

Trombone

Greg Yasinsky *
Mike Hetherington
Connie Tran

Tuba

Grant Cowan

Percussion

Alejandro Céspedes *
Kevin Anderson
Jeffrey Mason
Emma Mattiacci
Edna Teguibon

Violin

Corey Gemmell CM

Andrew Bell
Holly Bell-Sparling
Alexandre Bigeau
Marie Carnihan
Ronald Charles
Ian Chau
Holly Christmas
Michael Curitti
Anna Czepiel
Jin Sul Doh
Alexa Grittani
Monika Hakala
Alexandra Hawes
Dorothea Helmer
Maureen Hudes
Heike Ikeno
Andrew Kizas
Andrey Perfecky
Michael Phillips
Teresa Pitek
Rosalind Stefanac
Donna Urbanek
Pam Vanneste
Shengwei An
Hanna Weger

Rosalind Stefanac-Skugor
Leanna Uccello
Diana Urbanek

Viola

Jonathan Craig *
Patrick Blair
Michael Cheng
Alison Clarke
Eric Fahn
Jillian Haight
Sunjay Nak
Julia Pacitti

Cello

Mary-Katherine Finch *
Alexis Allen
Daphne Grittani
Alexa Iniguez
Elaine McLeod
David Padgett
Ana Trcka
Daisy Wang
Isabella Zhu

Bass

Natalie Kemerer *
Erika Marton
Troy Milleker
Darius Nargolwalla
Ian Richards
Paul Weston