Michael Loncarich Inducted - Chicago 2003
	The name Michael Loncarich is synonymous with tambura music in Canada.  Having begun playing at the age of seven, Mike continues to be active in all aspects of tambura music.  In his youth Michael Loncarich participated in Croatian National Home activities, C.F.U. festivals and a variety of ethnic programs throughout the United States and Canada.  He has been a driving force in the perpetuation of tamburitza ensembles for the past 30 years, and today Michael continues to promote tambura music by directing children and young adult ensembles.
	From 1972 to 1982, Michael Loncarich taught the St. Michael the Archangel Church group, and from 1982 to 1990, the Canadian Croatian Tamburitzans of Lodge 975 was under his tutelage.  During this time, Michael also spent several years teaching the Croatian Club Tammies in Buffalo, New York, Hrvatsko Selo of Hamilton, Ontario, and the Lado Adult Tamburitza Ensemble.  In 1996, Michael Loncarich was the guest conductor of the Canadian Folklore Festival.  Using his excellent organizational skills, Michael Loncarich went on to establish the Ziva Grana Hrvatske Ensemble in 1990 and is still its director today.  His ensembles have performed throughout Canada, the United States, Croatia and England.
	Besides being a mentor and director, Michael Loncarich is an accomplished tamburaš.  His mellow vocal solos and expertise on the brac was recorded on three long play albums during his twenty years with the Silver Strings Serenaders.  Since 1998, playing with Seoski Lopovi, Michael has recorded two CD’s of beautiful tamburitza music.  He has appeared at numerous TAA Extravaganzas with the Silver String Serenaders and Seoski Lopovi.
	Michael Loncarich’s love of tambura music has not only been shared with others but his children continue in their father’s legacy.  Both Michael and Allison are members of Ziva Grana Hrvatske and his daughter, Allison, has been teaching tambura for several years.
	Being a highly respected community leader and an excellent public speaker, Michael Loncarich was voted by his Stoney Creek area employees as “a great person to work for”.  He and his wife, Martha, are familiar faces at civic and ethnic events.
	Michael Loncarich continues in his persistence and dedication to tambura music and culture.  He is a driving force in Canadian tambura music and an asset to our tamburitza culture everywhere.
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