It takes an ensemble
WCMS is all about the power of talented ensembles. That's just as true for us as an organization as it is for our concerts. We have never been led by professional musicians, rather, we have always been a proudly grassroots, audience-led enterprise. We invite you to get to know the dedicated volunteers who perform for us in ways that are just as impressive as the artists we feature. Try to envision yourself among them, and talk to us about joining our close-knit ensemble of volunteers.
Shelley Lotter
Board President
Briarcliff Manor
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Peter Schlactus
Co-Executive Director
Rye Brook
In December 2025, Peter and his wife, Jen, assumed the role of Co-Executive Directors after several years on the Board. He is an amateur cellist and enjoys singing and guitar as well.
Jennifer Schlactus
Co-Executive Director
Rye Brook
Over the past decade, attending live performances — especially concerts presented by the Westchester Chamber Music Society — has become one of Jen's greatest joys.
Our Board
The major responsibilities of the Board are to help set strategic direction, provide governance and oversight of our operations, and maintain the financial solvency of WCMS. We depend on these stellar volunteers on our Board to advance our mission and for their generous donation of time, energy, resources, and expertise.
William Bauman
New Rochelle
With her background as a financial adviser, Sophia Cameron has the knowledge needed to help her clients with any business-related issues. Since 2005 she has run her own consulting firm.
Joshua Berrett
Mount Kisco
Josh is a Columbia-trained musicologist, teacher and writer who plays 1st violin in the Excelsior Syphony. He writes our program notes and heads our Music Committee and Youth Initiative. Check out his "Ageless Mind Project".
John Falk
Scarsdale
John is a patron of the performing arts - particularly music and dance. As a Board member, he has focused on our youth initiative and facilitating donations and sponsorships.
Lois Green
Cresskill, NJ
Lois is our long-time Treasurer. Simmons is trained as an assistant and office administrator. She has worked for our office since 2014, where she manages our clients and
Nancy Mayers
Pleasantville
Theresa Simmons is trained as an assistant and office administrator. She has worked for our office since 2014, where she manages our clients and provides assistance whenever they have problems.
Judy Oestreich
White Plains
Theresa Simmons is trained as an assistant and office administrator. She has worked for our office since 2014, where she manages our clients and provides assistance whenever they have problems.
Peter Schlactus
Rye Brook
Peter is a retired insurance broker and amateur cellist who discovered WCMS through a friend and serves now as co-Executive Director along with his wife, Jennifer.
Lilian Sicular
Mamaroneck
Formerly a social worker helping victims of the Holocaust, Lilian is now a “Professional Volunteer”, splitting her time between WCMS and groups like the West Side Inter-Agency Council on Ageing and the Y’s Himan Brown Senior Program, among others.
Directors Emeritus
We are grateful to all our Emeriti Directors, who have provided WCMS with inspiration and support throughout our 75-year history. We especially acknowledge our dedicated former directors and officers whose leadership made possible the proud legacy of this organization. If you know of any names who should be added to this list, please contact us.
Caroline Bauman - President*, Rye
Jackie Botwinick, Rye
Rabbi Howard Goldsmith, Rye
Harriet Levine*, Hartsdale
Isobel Perry*, Rye
* of blessed memory
AmBASSadors
Volunteers constitute our "basso continuo", providing the critical pulse and setting the tempo for all we do. We thank each and every one and urge you to talk to us about joining our close-knit volunteer ensemble.
Lois Larmle, Music Advisory Committee, White Plains
Harry W. Lipman, Esq. of Rottenberg Lipman Rich, P.C., Legal Services, Brooklyn
Alice Model, Live Music for All , Rye
Hiroku Onoda, Music Advisory Committee, Waccabuc
John Pareja, Live Music for All , Sleepy Hollow
Darren Peister, Music Advisory Committee, New Rochelle
Michelle Tian, Concert Concierge, Rye Brook
Shelley Lotter, Board President, Briarcliff Manor
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Peter Schlactus, Co-Executive Director, Rye Brook
Peter began attending Westchester Chamber Music Concerts ten years ago at the invitation of a dear friend and former Board Member (of blessed memory), Isobel Perry of Rye. Peter and his wife, Jen, were charmed and inspired by the virtuosity of the performers and the acoustics and intimacy of the venue. During the fall of 2021, he found himself on the WCMS Board after being effectively "voluntold" by Isobel, who was a force of nature well in tune with our group's tradition of strong female leaders. In December 2025, he and Jen assumed the role of Co-Executive Directors.
Despite aspiring to play Saxaphone as a young child, Peter began studying cello at age 8 and rose to the level of cellist in the New York All-State Orchestra and first cellist of the Harvard Bach Society Orchestra. His musical interests then shifted to choral, a capella, and folk guitar, but he periodically dusts off the cello and hopes to find time to play more. Peter still secretly harbors plans to do a Springstein-style Sax solo in concert someday.
After a 30-year career as an insurance broker focusing on the needs of the delivery industry, Peter now runs the non-profit Association for Delivery Drivers. He and his wife, Jen moved to Rye Brook in 2001 and raised two children who are now young adults. Peter enjoys travel, skiing, biking, running, swimming (and the occasional triathlon) and follows international relations and politics far too closely for comfort!
Jennifer Schlactus, Co-Executive Director, Rye Brook
Jen began her musical journey as a young violist before turning her focus to musical theater during her high school years. After setting aside artistic pursuits to build a career and raise a family, she has happily rediscovered creative outlets through activities such as singing with her congregational choir. Over the past decade, attending live performances — especially concerts presented by the Westchester Chamber Music Society — has become one of her greatest joys. Following some years as a dedicated volunteer with the organization, Jennifer joined her husband, Peter, as Co-Executive Director in December 2025.
Jennifer’s professional career spanned multiple levels of leadership within a Fortune 500 software company based on Long Island. After stepping away from corporate life and relocating to Rye Brook with Peter to raise their two children, she became deeply involved in the local school community. Her commitment to public education led her from PTA President to School Board member, and ultimately to President of the Blind Brook Board of Education.
In addition to her work with WCMS, Jennifer enjoys volunteering at the local food pantry, traveling, gardening, exercising, playing mah jongg and canasta and spending as much time as possible with family and friends.