Artistic Leadership
David Ambrose,
MFC Artistic Director
David Ambrose has served as Artistic Director for Mississauga Festival Choir since 2006. An award-winning conductor, singer and director, he is equally accomplished in choral music, musical theatre and opera. David is a graduate of the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Music, where he specialized in Voice and Conducting, studying under such distinguished teachers as Sir David Willcocks, Raffi Armenian and MFC Founding Conductor Lori-Anne Dolloff, and was the inaugural winner of the Elmer Iseler National Fellowship in Choral Conducting. Raised in Mississauga, David is currently a high school music teacher at Etobicoke School of the Arts, teaching Vocal Music and and conducting several choral ensembles including the Toronto Symphony Orchestra Pops choir and the award-winning WoCo women's choir, David also works as the Director of Music at Runnymede United Church, and is active as a choral music clinician.
Carl Steinhauser, Accompanist
Carl Steinhauser received his Bachelor of Music from the University of Western Ontario, where he studied piano with Gwen Beamish, and composition with Peter Paul Koprowski and Paul Frehner. He also holds an ARCT in piano performance. Carl is accompanist for Etobicoke Centennial Choir, organist at Runnymede United Church, and does frequent collaborative work with the Toronto District School Board and Etobicoke School of the Arts.
Vladimir Soloviev, Assistant Conductor
Vladimir Soloviev is a Toronto-based pianist, vocal coach, organist and conductor.
As a soloist, Vlad has performed in concert across Canada, as well as the US, Italy, France, Spain and Russia. His past performances include appearances at the Weill Recital Hall (Carnegie), Bohemian National Hall (New York) and others.
As a collaborative pianist, Vlad currently holds the position of a repetiteur at the COC Ensemble Studio. As part of his work there, he has played for a number of productions, including “Gianni Schicchi”,
“Fantasma” (Co-music director), “Madama Butterfly” and “Magic Flute”. Vlad’s other work includes “Don Giovanni” and “Eugene Onegin” with the Highlands Opera Studio, as well as “Portrait de Manon” and “Der Schauspieldirektor” with the UofT Opera School. Vlad also remains active as a music director at Trinity United Church, Newmarket. His oratorio experience includes the Faure Requiem, Saint-Saens Oratorio de Noel, Vivaldi Gloria, Pergolesi Stabat Mater, and more. Vlad is very excited to be part of the team at Mississauga Festival Choir.
Vladimir Soloviev is a Toronto-based pianist, vocal coach, organist and conductor.
As a soloist, Vlad has performed in concert across Canada, as well as the US, Italy, France, Spain and Russia. His past performances include appearances at the Weill Recital Hall (Carnegie), Bohemian National Hall (New York) and others.
As a collaborative pianist, Vlad currently holds the position of a repetiteur at the COC Ensemble Studio. As part of his work there, he has played for a number of productions, including “Gianni Schicchi”,
“Fantasma” (Co-music director), “Madama Butterfly” and “Magic Flute”. Vlad’s other work includes “Don Giovanni” and “Eugene Onegin” with the Highlands Opera Studio, as well as “Portrait de Manon” and “Der Schauspieldirektor” with the UofT Opera School. Vlad also remains active as a music director at Trinity United Church, Newmarket. His oratorio experience includes the Faure Requiem, Saint-Saens Oratorio de Noel, Vivaldi Gloria, Pergolesi Stabat Mater, and more. Vlad is very excited to be part of the team at Mississauga Festival Choir.
Dr. Lori-Anne Dolloff Choral Leads
Glynis Ratcliffe, Soprano 1 Section Lead
Glynis Ratcliffe earned her Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees in Voice Performance at the University of Toronto. Her focus on concert and recital repertoire has allowed her to work with renowned artists like Graham Johnson, Rudolph Jansen, Martin Katz and Elisabeth Söderström. She is a full-time writer and currently working on a documentary about her grandfather's escape from Germany during the Holocaust.
Glynis Ratcliffe earned her Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees in Voice Performance at the University of Toronto. Her focus on concert and recital repertoire has allowed her to work with renowned artists like Graham Johnson, Rudolph Jansen, Martin Katz and Elisabeth Söderström. She is a full-time writer and currently working on a documentary about her grandfather's escape from Germany during the Holocaust.
Amanda Cogan, Soprano 2 Section Lead
Soprano Amanda Cogan holds both a Bachelors and a Masters of Music degree in Voice Performance with honours from the University of Toronto.
She has performed numerous concerts and operas with companies including MYOpera, Loose Tea Music Theatre, the Centre for Opera Studies in Italy, Opera York, the Aspen Music Festival, the Accademia Europea Dell’Opera, and the Mississauga Symphony Orchestra. Amanda has also performed as a musical comedian, graduating from the conservatory program at the famed Second City Toronto, performing as a season 7 featured player at Bad Dog Comedy Theatre, improvising in Toronto’s “Selling Out: An Improvised Musical,” co-writing and co-starring in the sketch comedy revues “Minimum Wage Against the Machine” and “Cast List is Posted,” as well as winning the audience choice award at St. Andrew’s Summer Opera Workshop for her laugh-out-loud performance of “They Don’t Let You In The Opera (If You’re A Country Star).”
Most recently, Amanda was featured as Sister Margaretta in Theatre Ancaster’s production of “The Sound of Music.” In addition to her musical endeavours, Amanda is a third grade public school teacher.
Soprano Amanda Cogan holds both a Bachelors and a Masters of Music degree in Voice Performance with honours from the University of Toronto.
She has performed numerous concerts and operas with companies including MYOpera, Loose Tea Music Theatre, the Centre for Opera Studies in Italy, Opera York, the Aspen Music Festival, the Accademia Europea Dell’Opera, and the Mississauga Symphony Orchestra. Amanda has also performed as a musical comedian, graduating from the conservatory program at the famed Second City Toronto, performing as a season 7 featured player at Bad Dog Comedy Theatre, improvising in Toronto’s “Selling Out: An Improvised Musical,” co-writing and co-starring in the sketch comedy revues “Minimum Wage Against the Machine” and “Cast List is Posted,” as well as winning the audience choice award at St. Andrew’s Summer Opera Workshop for her laugh-out-loud performance of “They Don’t Let You In The Opera (If You’re A Country Star).”
Most recently, Amanda was featured as Sister Margaretta in Theatre Ancaster’s production of “The Sound of Music.” In addition to her musical endeavours, Amanda is a third grade public school teacher.
Joni Henson, Alto 1 Section Lead
Soprano Joni Henson is one of Canada’s most thrilling performers on both the opera and concert stage. After earning her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance and an Artist Diploma in Opera from the University of Toronto Joni has gone on to perform in Europe, Canada and the United States.
An active performer before the COVID-19, pandemic she sang as Fricka in Das Rheingold for Pacific Opera Victoria, Senta in Der Fliegende Holländer for Calgary Opera and Pacific Opera Victoria, Elisabetta in Don Carlos for Vancouver Opera and the Canadian Opera Company, Tosca for Pacific Opera Victoria, Desdemona in Otello with Calgary Opera, and as Gutrune in Wagner’s Ring Cycle with the Canadian Opera Company. Concert credits include Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 with the National Arts Centre Orchestra, Vancouver Symphony, Winnipeg Symphony and the Detroit Symphony, Mahler’s Symphony No. 8 with Orchestre Métropolitain, Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 with the Calgary Philharmonic, and Opera Galas for the Colorado and Fairfax Symphonies.
In 2019 Joni opened a piano and voice studio and is devoted to teaching and sharing her love for music with her students. When not traveling for the next performance, you can find Joni at home
with her husband John and tuxedo cat Lola.
Soprano Joni Henson is one of Canada’s most thrilling performers on both the opera and concert stage. After earning her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance and an Artist Diploma in Opera from the University of Toronto Joni has gone on to perform in Europe, Canada and the United States.
An active performer before the COVID-19, pandemic she sang as Fricka in Das Rheingold for Pacific Opera Victoria, Senta in Der Fliegende Holländer for Calgary Opera and Pacific Opera Victoria, Elisabetta in Don Carlos for Vancouver Opera and the Canadian Opera Company, Tosca for Pacific Opera Victoria, Desdemona in Otello with Calgary Opera, and as Gutrune in Wagner’s Ring Cycle with the Canadian Opera Company. Concert credits include Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 with the National Arts Centre Orchestra, Vancouver Symphony, Winnipeg Symphony and the Detroit Symphony, Mahler’s Symphony No. 8 with Orchestre Métropolitain, Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 with the Calgary Philharmonic, and Opera Galas for the Colorado and Fairfax Symphonies.
In 2019 Joni opened a piano and voice studio and is devoted to teaching and sharing her love for music with her students. When not traveling for the next performance, you can find Joni at home
with her husband John and tuxedo cat Lola.
Sabrina Santelli-Perez, Alto 2 Section Lead
Sabrina Santelli-Perez has spent the last ten years performing onstage in musicals from Toronto (Suds, Into the Woods, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown) to Japan (Encore, Christmas in New York). Sabrina graduated from the University of Toronto's Vocal Performance program as well as from the Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts. She is happy to finally be back in Canada, and is looking forward to continuing her career in
her hometown.
Sabrina Santelli-Perez has spent the last ten years performing onstage in musicals from Toronto (Suds, Into the Woods, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown) to Japan (Encore, Christmas in New York). Sabrina graduated from the University of Toronto's Vocal Performance program as well as from the Randolph Academy for the Performing Arts. She is happy to finally be back in Canada, and is looking forward to continuing her career in
her hometown.
Devin Herbert, Tenor Section Lead
Devin Herbert is a singer, actor and emerging theatre director. As a choral singer, Devin was part of the Dora-Award nominated ensemble of Apocalypsis (Luminato), spent four seasons with a cappella group That Choir, and is a soloist/tenor section lead at Humber Valley United Church.
Favourite theatre credits include: Aaron Jensen’s Everything There is to Know (Toronto Fringe Festival), The Wedding Singer (Stage West Calgary), La Cage aux Folles (Neptune Theatre), The Maple Leaves (Springworks Festival), A History of Summer (Summerworks), A Gift for Santa (Stage West Mississauga), and Sunday in the Park with George(Edinburgh Fringe). Assistant Director Obeah Opera (Nightwood Theatre), and Director/Producer December Songs(Theatre Passe Murielle CabStage). Devin received his M.A. in Musical Theatre Performance from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and is a graduate of the Randolph College for the Performing Arts. Devin currently works as a tenor section lead at Runnymede United Church and is grateful to be part of the magic of MFC!
Devin Herbert is a singer, actor and emerging theatre director. As a choral singer, Devin was part of the Dora-Award nominated ensemble of Apocalypsis (Luminato), spent four seasons with a cappella group That Choir, and is a soloist/tenor section lead at Humber Valley United Church.
Favourite theatre credits include: Aaron Jensen’s Everything There is to Know (Toronto Fringe Festival), The Wedding Singer (Stage West Calgary), La Cage aux Folles (Neptune Theatre), The Maple Leaves (Springworks Festival), A History of Summer (Summerworks), A Gift for Santa (Stage West Mississauga), and Sunday in the Park with George(Edinburgh Fringe). Assistant Director Obeah Opera (Nightwood Theatre), and Director/Producer December Songs(Theatre Passe Murielle CabStage). Devin received his M.A. in Musical Theatre Performance from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and is a graduate of the Randolph College for the Performing Arts. Devin currently works as a tenor section lead at Runnymede United Church and is grateful to be part of the magic of MFC!
Matt Morrison, Bass Section Lead
Matt Morrison has been performing in Peel Region and beyond for the past 25 years. Matt has experience as a performer, conductor, music director, and as a music teacher. Matt graduated from the University of Western Ontario, where he majored in voice. He has performed with numerous community groups in the GTA, including Brampton Lyric Opera and Opera Kitchener (The Magic Flute, La Cenerentola, La Bohème, Madama Butterfly), Etobicoke Musical Productions (Urinetown, Les Misérables), and Globe Productions (Beauty and the Beast). He has also appeared twice as the bass soloist for Messiah (Chatham, Ontario). Currently, Matt is a music teacher at a school in Brampton.
Matt Morrison has been performing in Peel Region and beyond for the past 25 years. Matt has experience as a performer, conductor, music director, and as a music teacher. Matt graduated from the University of Western Ontario, where he majored in voice. He has performed with numerous community groups in the GTA, including Brampton Lyric Opera and Opera Kitchener (The Magic Flute, La Cenerentola, La Bohème, Madama Butterfly), Etobicoke Musical Productions (Urinetown, Les Misérables), and Globe Productions (Beauty and the Beast). He has also appeared twice as the bass soloist for Messiah (Chatham, Ontario). Currently, Matt is a music teacher at a school in Brampton.
