Established in the spring of 2018, Friends of Maria Krstic and the group’s

Special Advisors are adult volunteers with diverse backgrounds and skills,

who are committed to helping me achieve my career goal of becoming a

violin soloist. I am very grateful for their support.

- Maria

Special Advisors to “Friends of Maria Krstic”

Moira Johnson

Capitalizing on over 25 years of experience in the arts, Moira Johnson
founded Moira Johnson Consulting, a specialized agency to promote and
support opera singers and classical musicians.
With extensive experience in tour and production management, public
relations and marketing, a broad knowledge of the music industry, and her
international background, Moira brings her varied skills to the promotion of
artists, to coordinating special projects with the Dresden Music Festival and
the Moritzburg Chamber Music Festival, and to the management of such
events as the Viennese Opera Ball in Ottawa, among many others.

Marina Kun

Marina Kun transformed a small company selling the revolutionary shoulder
rest designed and patented by her late husband, Joseph Kun, into a global
market leader. KUN now holds dozens of global patents and has the widest
product range in the industry, capturing 80% of the world market for
shoulder rests.
Reflecting her diverse interests, Marina Kun has generously supported many
charities including Friends of Canadian Broadcasting, the Civic Hospital Heart
Fund, Amnesty International and Doctors Without Borders. She is a major
contributor to local arts organizations including Suzuki Strings, the Ottawa
Chamber Music Society, the Ottawa Symphony, the National Youth Orchestra
and the National Arts Centre. In 2006, Marina Kun was named by PROFIT as
one of Canada’s top 100 Women Entrepreneurs.

Friends of Maria Krstic

Bill Caswell

The President of Caswell Corporate Coaching Company, Bill Caswell co-
founded a career coaching company as well as an Internet e-learning
company. Prior to e-business, Bill was the president of SPS with offices in
Canada, the US and Mexico. Earlier in his career as an electronics engineer,
Bill was responsible for inventions in the field of radar, then joined the
Guided Missiles Division of Pan American World Airways, helping to launch
200 scientific rockets each year. He is the author of 15 books.
An opera lover active in supporting the arts, Bill has served on various
boards, including positions as chair of Opera Lyra Ottawa, Ottawa Bach Choir
and Ottawa Singers.

Floralove Katz

Floralove Katz, M.S.W., G.C.C.R., B.A., served as Senior Policy Advisor for
over 35 years in the federal government and private sector. She is a
licensed wedding officiant in Ontario and Quebec, and has taught English as a
Second Language and English Literacy Development to new immigrants
and refugees. Floralove is active on a variety of human rights, social and
community files.
A professional musician, Floralove Katz performed as a cellist with the
Ottawa Symphony Orchestra and soprano with Opera Lyra Ottawa, each for
over two decades. Floralove Katz is artistic director and leader of the Ottawa
Klezmer Band, which she founded over 30 years ago. She sings Soprano
with the Ottawa Choral Society. Over many years, Floralove has performed
solo concerts at seniors’ residences, schools and community events. She
regularly volunteers in support of music events in Ottawa, and mentors rising
stars and young musicians.

Greg Milanovic

Emigrating to Canada in 1968 from Serbia via Germany and the U.S., Greg
Milanovic first worked in the banking sector and then as internal auditor with
the federal government. He established a successful business as senior
auditor/consultant, primarily in the public sector.
Greg studied classical violin in Belgrade and performed as member of a
youth orchestra. Later, he was involved in founding one of the Yugoslavia’s
two best-known rock bands. He worked as a bass guitar studio musician,
recording for Yugoslavian record labels, and continued playing music in the
U.S. until 1968.
As a member of Ottawa’s Serbian community, Greg is a founding member
and principal contributor to the St. Stefan Serbian Church-School
Congregation. He supports a variety of other charitable causes, both here
and abroad.

Carol Nixon

Carol Nixon serves as vice president of her family’s custom home and renovation business. A community volunteer for over twenty-five years,
Carol’s contributions have been recognized by various organizations and
levels of government. Most recently, she was honoured to receive the
Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award.
Carol has served on the board of Ottawa Suzuki Strings and managed the
school’s premier performance ensemble, Stellae Boreales, leading the group’s
performance tours of China and New York City. She also served on the
Ottawa Chapter of the Canadian Music Competition, and is generally
interested in supporting the development of promising young musicians.