Faculty Biographies

Faculty Biographies

Vicky Vlassis-Radulovich ~ Owner and Voice Specialist

Vicky Vlassis-Radulovich has completed her Master of Music in Performance and Literature, and her Bachelor of Music in Voice; both at the University of Western Ontario. She was then invited on scholarship to complete post-graduate diplomas specializing in operatic performance and voice technique from the Music University of Augsburg, Germany, and the University of Vienna, Austria where she studied with renowned soprano Dr. Edith Wiens and other esteemed musicians. In addition, she has also completed her Bachelor of Education at Brock University to fulfill her training in music and voice education.

Vicky has performed several leading operatic roles with UWOpera which include: 'Cherubino' from Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro, 'The Old Lady' from Bernstein’s Candide, 'Hansel' from Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel and 'Despina' from Mozart’s Cosi fan tutte. She has also performed in several recitals, concerts, and competitions throughout North-America, and Europe. In November of 2008, Vicky was a Semi-Finalist in the Slovak and Czech International Voice Competition and also the winner of the 2008 Niagara Music Award for ‘Best Theatrical Performance’. Most recently Vicky performed in two full recitals in the Niagara Region consisting of operatic and folk repertoire in Czech, English, Spanish, French, and Greek. The recital also included popular Latin and Tango melodies.

Although she loves to perform, Vicky also has a strong passion for teaching and joyfully teaches professional voice lessons. She instructs various styles and performance methods and has students of all ages and levels. She holds extensive experience and knowledge with respect to vocal instruction and has truly become an expert in her field. Vicky is extremely proud of her faculty that have joined her in her vision of providing enriched music lessons and educational services.

Mr. Mark Steiger - Guitar, Bass, and Ukelele

Mark is a teacher who finds purpose in helping people develop their musical gifts and is a teacher who enjoys sharing his experience, knowledge, and love of music with his students.

As an enthusiastic music educator, Mark Steiger has worked with the Niagara Symphony for their Composer in the Classroom program, and teaches guitar at the Niagara Symphony Summer Music Camp.

His former guitar students include Christine Bougie (Bahamas, Sarah Harmer), and Juno Award winners James Bryan (Philosopher Kings) and Chris Steele (Alexis on Fire).

Mark’s performance career is eclectic. In the 1990s he performed with the rock group, Common Language, and opened for Blue Rodeo, Glass Tiger, and the Derek Trucks Band. He has performed with Juno nominee, Ray Lyell, and Grammy Award winner Walter Ostanek. He can be heard performing rock, blues, jazz, folk, fingerstyle, and classical guitar. Mark also had the honour of accompanying Emerging Artist nominee, Aaron Berger, at the 2016 St. Catharines Arts Awards. In the spring of 2016 he composed and performed in The Whole Shebang, an interdisciplinary arts performance with Dreamwalker Dance Company, at the First Ontario Performing Arts Centre.

As a student he studied guitar with Jonathan Earp at Brock University, and particpated in masterclasses with William Kanengiser, Fabio Zanon, and Pepe Romero. He holds a Master of Science in Education degree from Medaille College.

Mark's classical compositions have been performed by the St. Catharines Chamber Music Society (CHUMS), the Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber Music Society, Niagara Dance Company, Vine Street Irregular Guitar Collective, and his jazz songs have been performed by Juliet Dunn, Peter Shea, Melissa-Marie Shriner and Aidan Miller. As a composer and guitarist he has collaborated with choreographers Andrea Nann, Susan Cash, Elizabeth Chitty, and Graham McKelvie. Mark’s composition “Music for Niagara” was premiered as part of the Cultural Capitals of Canada closing ceremonies in Niagara Falls in December of 2012. Mark studied composition with Ronald Tremain at Brock University and with Alexina Louie at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto.

We are very excited to have Mark on our music team!

Mr. Janko Marjanovic - Cello, Violin, and Piano

Janko has a Bachelor of Music Performance (Honors) in String Performance from the University of Skopje (former Yugoslavia). He also earned a Music Education Specialist qualification at Queen’s University. Janko is a professional performer and a retired school board teacher with immense experience in music education.

Furthermore, throughout his performing career, Janko has been a recitalist and principal cellist in chamber and opera orchestras on three continents. Janko graduated from the class of French cellist André Navarra, who was an accomplished student of incomparable Pablo Casals.

Janko is a sophisticated instructor and has extensive teaching experience with students at all levels of performance, regardless of their age. His students have won a number of rewards at Ontario and Canadian competions and festivals. His String Ensemble won gold in Ontario MusicFest, and silver in Canada MusicFest.

If you see Janko around the studio, please say hello! He is currently planning on teaching in-person and happy to work with children and adults. We are very happy to have Janko and his outstanding credentials join our studio.

Mr. Gerry Murphy - Guitar, Ukelele, and Trumpet

Gerry holds a Bachelor of Arts, Honours Music Degree from Brock University. Gerry studied guitar and trumpet and started falling in love with music at the age of 12. He started learning the guitar with his first influence and love being the band AC/DC and their guitarist Angus Young. Since studying music at Brock, Gerry's musical influences and interests have wildly broadened studying primarily Classical music in the music program.

Gerry is involved with various music ensembles in the Niagara region which include the Brock Wind Ensemble(since 2013), and the Brock Jazz Ensemble(since 2019). He has also been in local ensembles and orchestras such as the Niagara Youth Orchestra(2015-2016), and the Music Ed Plus Jazz ensemble(2014-2016) which was led by the principle clarinet of the Niagara Symphony Zoltan Kalman. Since graduating from Brock, Gerry has been involved in the musical community through private teaching at various studios for several years.

Gerry's wide musical influences include: David Gilmour, Steve Vai, John Petrucci, Frank Zappa, Beethoven, Ralph Vaughn Williams, John Williams, Miles Davis, Chick Corea, Al Di Meola, to name a few.

His goal with teaching music, and music in general, is to always have an open mind and to help students stay motivated no matter their level or age. Gerry is an extremely patient and devoted music teacher and we are happy to have him as a part of Strive Studios.

Ms. Ashley Goedee - Piano and Beginner Voice

Ashley is a student at Brock University working towards her Honours Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Statistics with a minor in music. While studying music at school, Ashley finds great connections between her math and music classes, as her music courses focus on music theory. She enjoys music theory almost as much as she enjoys playing music.

Ashley began her musical journey with vocals and the alto saxophone, before picking up piano and guitar. She is currently working on RCM Level 9 piano and RCM Level 8 vocals. Ashley began teaching music at the age of 15, and greatly enjoys sharing her passion with others. She loves playing classical music, as well as rock, jazz, blues and more. She is also the lead vocalist of a rock band, performing and releasing music with rock, metal, jazz, and funk influences. Collaborating with others in her band allows Ashley to be extra creative and always seeking new musical inspiration, which she encourages her students to do as well.

Overall, Ashley is very ambitious and is always looking to continue learning when it comes to music. She is eager to share her knowledge with her students and learn things from them as well. Ashley aims to always create a positive and energetic environment in the studio and looks forward to meeting everyone! "

Máté Szigeti - Flute , Sax, and Piano (Currently on-line only)

Hungarian-born flautist Máté Szigeti received his Masters Degree and Bachelors Degree from the prestigious Franz Liszt Academy of Music . After graduation, Mr. Szigeti spent several years with the Debrecen Symphony, where a familiarity with the standard operatic and orchestral repertoire was firmly established. On the international concert circuit, Mr. Szigeti has appeared as a soloist and orchestra member in North America, Austria, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Sweden, Finland, Switzerland, including the famous Baalbeck, Boustan and Tyre festivals, sharing the stage with such renowned soloists and conductors as Placido Domingo, Roberto Alagna, Angela Gheorghiu, Barnabás Kelemen, Boris Berezovsky, among others.

From 2000-2010, Mr. Szigeti was affiliated with the Lebanese National Symphony Orchestra as both principal flautist and soloist, and was on the faculty of the Lebanese National Higher Conservatory. Students from his studio were hand selected on three occasions to join the West-Eastern Devine Orchestra under the baton of Daniel Barenboim, while others were successfully prepared for entrance exams with such institutions as the Damascus Conservatory (Syria), the Music Hockschule Basel (Switzerland), and University of Montreal (Canada). "Throughout my career, I have focused on empowering my students to succeed by encouraging them to develop their strengths and to grow both academically and personally." Having Mr. Szigeti instructing at Strive Studios is truly an honour.