Socmi - About Us

Please scroll down for all Board of Directors/SOCMI Summer Institute Staff and Administration and their bios.
Click here for Board Information on Annual Meetings

Board of Directors
President Tag Watson Corporate Communications Executive	Mr. Watson is the Vice President, Communications of NewAlta. His extensive industry knowledge includes 35 years of experience with companies such as Laidlaw Inc., Tricil Ltd., Trimac Ltd. and Kenting Ltd. He has played prominent roles in the Canadian Investor Relations Institute and the Canadian Public Relations Society, where he has received his Public Relations Accreditation and was designated a Toronto Chapter Lifetime Member for his services. Mr. Watson is an Advisory Committee Member for Humber College’s Corporate Communications Program.
Past President Bill Chambers Art Manager	Mr. Chambers is presently a member of the Niagara Symphony and its operations manager. In keeping with his name, he also loves to play chamber music. He and his wife, Anna, are proud of their three children, two of whom have benefited from attending SOCMI. A former high school teacher he has taught string music and retired in 2000 as head of mathematics at John Fraser S.S.
Treasurer Mark Woodruff Chartered Accountant
Founding Director Ann Vallentyne Musician/Music Educator	Ms. Vallentyne has lived wherever her husband and family have taken her....playing the cello in orchestras and ensembles and teaching young students. She performed with the Niagara Symphony for 20 years. Ms. Vallentyne taught at the Hamilton Suzuki School of Music and, for 11 years, sat on the organization’s Board of Directors. It was during this time that the idea of introducing string students to the wonderful world of chamber music began to evolve. SOCMI’s first session took place in the 1989. The summer institute continues year after year doing what its founder, Anne Vallentyne set out to do.
Director At Large Suzy Godefroy Marketing Specialist Director At Large Darlene Marks Corporate Communications Manager Director At Large John Muldoon Manager, Communications and Public Affairs
Director At Large Dr. Abigail Richardson Composer	Dr. Abigail Richardson holds the position of affiliate composer with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Her music has been played at the Festival Présences of Paris, Winnipeg New Music Festival, Newfoundland Sound Symposium, Ottawa Chamber Music Festival, Festival of the Sound and Soundstreams Encounters Concerts. As a result of her numerous prestigious international awards, Dr. Richardson’s music has been broadcast in 35 countries. Dr. Richardson has been commissioned by Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Vancouver Symphony, Victoria Symphony, Radio France, Tapestry New Opera, Festival Winds, Southern Ontario Chamber Music Institute, Theatre Direct Canada, Talisker Players and New Music Concerts. Dr. Richardson was SOCMI’s Composer-in-Residence at the 2005 Summer Institute and is the Composer-in-Residence at the 2008 Summer Institute.
Board Information Annual General Meeting 2007 AGM 2007 Minutes Executive Director’s Report Institute Program Directors Report Slate of Directors 2007-2008 Audited States Fiscal September 30, 2007 Annual General Meeting 2006 AGM 2006 Minutes President’s Report Treasurer’s Report Executive Director’s Report Institute Program Director’s Report Financial Statements Audited Financial Statements As @ September 30, 2006 back to top

Summer Institute Staff
Institute Program Director Adrianna Ficzere, M.ED., B. Mus	Ms. Ficzere’s involvement with SOCMI spans thirteen years. This year marks her fourth year as Summer Institute Programming Director – recommending faculty, developing programmes, co-ordinating applications, co-selecting repertoire, and grouping participants into ensembles, as well as, ensuring the Institute runs smoothly during its two weeks of operation. Ms. Ficzere is the middle school Learning Resource Teacher and Resource Team chair, as well as, Principal's Designate at Allan A. Greenleaf Elementary School, Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board. She holds degrees in Music Education and Performance, Political Science, and a Masters of Education in Curriculum Studies. She is actively involved in developing curriculum for various subjects including the arts. Ms. Ficzere specializes in teaching children with various exceptionalities, including learning disabilities, gifted, autistic, and behavioural challenges. Ms. Ficzere can also be found teaching piano, once a week, at the Merriam School of Music in Oakville, Ontario. Email: aficzere@socmi.org
Assistant to Programming Director Gail Poskitt	Gail Poskitt is currently a student at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. She plans to major in Psychology and Sociology. During her spare time, she volunteers at the Hamilton Children's Hospital. 2008 marks Gail's third year as assistant to the Institute Programming Director, helping with different impromptu tasks and facilitating faculty and student requests during the two weeks. Gail is delighted to return to SOCMI and experience the fantastic chamber music repertoire played by gifted string and piano artists from all over Canada.
House Manager Stella Goslin	Stella has been Assistant to the Director for SOCMI in 2005 and House Manager in 2006. She has greatly enjoyed being in an environment where talented students can work with teachers who are masters of their craft. Stella loves working at SOCMI because the people who come to SOCMI always have a great time laughing at meals, rehearsing almost every hour available, getting to know a group of people who have the same goal, and having fun walking the spacious grounds, playing student-organized games and sports before going to bed. SOCMI is a truly amazing experience and she hopes to be apart of this fabulous organization as long as possible.
SOCMI Administration
Business Manager Rosanne Caruso	Ms. Caruso brings to SOCMI over 30 years experience in business and the arts – a skilled marketer, fundraiser, grant writer, strategic planner, volunteer resource developer and project manager. She has served on numerous boards and committees including those of Art Gallery of Mississauga, Humber College, Living Arts Centre and Mississauga’s Garden Council and Arts & Heritage Community Plan. She has consulted to Arts Etobicoke and to Mississauga’s Arts Council, Children’s Festival and Choral Society. As a former gallerist and art consultant, Ms. Caruso has been recognized for bridging the gap between the business community with the arts community by bringing local artists and their works into the corporate spotlight. As Business Manager to SOCMI, while handling the organization’s daily business affairs, Ms. Caruso is responsible for increasing student enrolment, raising the funds to run the Institute’s programs, promoting the summer concert series, implementing a pilot adult education program and researching the artistic and economic feasibility of producing an Oakville Chamber Music Festival. Email: rcaruso@socmi.org back to top
Webmaster Deirdra Redden Public Relations Consultant	Ms. Redden is a public relations consultant with over 20 years experience in communications, marketing and wed site development. Ms. Redden has developed web site designs for Blue Heron Pond Project, OPACC (Ontario Parents Advocating for Children with Cancer) and Empower Me Now! Just to name a few. She has provided her services to public and not-for-profit organizations such as Acuity Options, The Createch Group in Hamilton, GE Canada Technology Management Services, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada and Shad International. A member of CPRS Hamilton, Deirdra serves on its Board as Co-Chair of the CPRS-Hamilton Annual Pinnacle Awards event and Chair of the December Humbug event. Email: info@socmi.org back to top