HRVATSKO SELO
Our Teachers
Mr. Mike Loncarich
Music Co-Director
Senior Tambura Instructor
Mike has been a teacher at Hrvatsko Selo for more than 25 years. His motivation for teaching and preserving Croatian music and culture in the community is based on his belief in the benefits it has for our Croatian Youth and as such, our young people gain a great respect for the rich culture of the Croatian people. They better understand their background and ancestry and are able to share it with many others of Croatian heritage. He has personally witnessed many of his students grow together, become life-long friends, "kumovi" and even life-long spouses! He is proud to see them unite as they support their Croatian parish, and pass these traditions onto their own families. Mike works selflessly in many roles within several Croatian communities, thereby sharing his skills, talents, knowledge and genuine love for our beloved cultural heritage, through music, song and dance. Thank you on behalf of all the children and parents of Hrvatsko Selo, who are truly grateful to you for all your years of dedication, mentorship and voluntary work.
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Mrs LoryAnn Protulipac
Artistic Director
Beginner Dance and Music Instructor
Junior Dance Instructor
Lory is an original founding member of Hrvatsko selo, spanning 34 years of involvement. Wow! When she was 16, Lory began her teaching career within these walls, and has taught all age groups over the years. She faithfully volunteers her time and knowledge to teach our children and preserve the Croatian culture. Her “real” work profession has enhanced her ability to teach Croatian dance and music in a fun and innovative manner to the most precious gems of the ensemble, the beginner group, or as she likes to call them, “Mališani” or Mali Minions. Within the ensemble she choreographs, teaches music, singing and dance, and serves as a valuable source of knowledge about various costumes and the group’s history. Lory’s genuine love for children and her deep passion for the preservation of Croatian culture within Hrvatsko Selo is an inspiration to all.
Miss Juliana Hribljan
Co-Instructor Beginner Group
Co-Instructor Junior Group
Julianna began her journey with Hrvatsko Selo in 1995 as a performing member of the ensemble. Since then, she has made countless treasured friendships, memories to last a lifetime, and a love and appreciation for folklore. For the past 3 years, Julianna has served as co-instructor of the Beginner and Junior groups. Julianna’s hope is to help our future generations have a deep understanding and love for their Croatian culture, music and dance.
Mrs. Dianne Capin
Intermediate Tambura Instructor
Dianne is also a former member of Hrvatsko Selo who started at the age of 6. Throughout her 12 year involvement, Selo became a very important part of her life as she realized the value of learning about her heritage and inspiring her future endeavours. Dianne moved to Montreal to complete her postsecondary education where she later directed Folklorni ansembl Kardinal Stepinac of Montreal over the course of 10 years. Dianne was a prominent figure in re-establishing tambura with the community and even created a tambura school while in Montreal. She created an everlasting bond with the community. To our benefit, Dianne returned to Hamilton to raise her family and has been teaching tambura at Hrvatsko Selo for the past 3 years. Dianne attributes her involvement within Hrvatsko Selo as the seed that grew into her love for music and folklore and she hopes to instill that in her own children and students.
Mrs Liana Stipancic
Junior Tambura Instructor
Liana grew up as a member of the Croatian National Home from the age of 7 to 22. She is a current and active member of Živa Grana Hrvatske for over 12 years. Liana has been teaching Hrvatsko Selo for the past 5 years, beginning as the Intermediate tambura instructor. She is currently enjoying her first year as the Junior tambura instructor where her musical knowledge and patience are very much appreciated.
Mrs. Marija Zupanic
Assistant Intermediate Dance Instuctor
Assistant Senior Dance Instructor
Since the age of 5, she is a former member of Toronto’s Zrinski Frankopan folklore ensemble, where she spent 18 years in the group under the leadership of the late and well recognized Nikola Vrdoljak. Fortunate for Marija, two of those years were spent in Zagreb, Croatia on a full scholarship to study Croatian culture, language and literature thanks to both Mr. Vrdoljak and Father Valent. Through folklore involvement, Marija has toured much of Canada, the United States and Croatia. She joined the Toronto Church tambura group at age 10 and enjoyed 12 years under the leadership of the late Monsignor Valent Bogadi. Marija has also studied piano and theory at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto for 10 years and for the last 2 years she has provided assistance to all Selo groups with dancing and singing, and in addition to that, she has voluntarily sewn numerous costumes for the ensemble, a woman of many gifts and talents to whom Selo is grateful!
Mr. Zeljko Jergan
Choreographer
Željko was born in Varaždin, Croatia and began his professional career in folklore dance in 1974 when he joined the Croatian Folklore Ensemble “Lado” of Zagreb. Željko also performed with the Zagreb National Ballet Company and with the Modern Dance Company in seasonal productions and television specials. 1985 marked the beginning of Željko’s crusade over the Atlantic where his ethnographic expertise enabled him to conduct seminars and provide choreographies to groups all over the world. In 1987, and to the thanks of Mr. Mike Loncarich, Željko became the choreographer of Hrvatsko Selo. His innovative style and artistic interpretations of Croatian folklore bring to life the traditional culture of our ancestors. Hrvatsko Selo is proud and privileged to have an individual of this caliber associated with the ensemble.