Community music school board of trustees
Steve Haines, President
As Director, Information Technology for Centerbrook Architects, Steve applies over 20 years of expertise to leading architects through the maze of the technology of architecture. Residents of East Haddam, Steve’s wife and two daughters are enrolled at CMS and in our string ensemble. Immersed in the musical talents of his family, he brings a special spirit to the Board, and was elected President in his second year as a trustee. Steve chairs the Technology Committee, and was Board project manager for the expansion of our facilities in 2009.
Susan E. Saltus, Vice President
Sue, a resident of Essex, has served on the Board for four years. In addition to her duties as Vice President, she serves on the Nominating and Organizational Development Committees. Sue is the music director at the Chester Congregational Church and Assistant Musical Director of the Con Brio Choral Society. She has a BA in music from Smith College.
Lorna McLaughlin, Secretary
Lorna, on the Board for 5 years, volunteers her services to many groups. Experienced with non-profit organizations, she worked with the Fox Chase Cancer Center for 7 years. She has taken piano and recorder lessons at CMS and one of her grandchildren is currently enrolled as a student and member of our Jazz Ensemble.
Sharon Bray, Treasurer
Sharon, resident of Essex, joined the Board 3 years ago and serves on the Long Range Planning, Finance and Scholarship committees. Graduate of Wharton School of Business, she works with her husband’s business management firm, Wes Bray & Associates. She also provides a student’s point of view on the Board, since she and her children have studied music at CMS for several years.
Timothy Boyd
Tim is our immediate past President, having served on the Board for 8 years. Active in the community, he is also on the Boards of the Connecticut River Museum (currently Chairman) and the Essex Winter Series. Tim’s interest in CMS came as a result of his son’s involvement as a young student of classical guitar. He serves as the Chair of Long Range Planning and Development Committees. Tim and his wife Stacie reside in Deep River.
E. Peter Bierrie
Peter is a graduate of Harvard, international CEO and former counselor at SCORE. Enlisted for help resolving a problem 3 years ago, he ended up joining our Board. He is Chair of Finance and a member of the Long Range Planning and Nominating Committees. Peter sings with his church choir and with Lymes Village Voices.
Mary Anne Rooke
With past association with a number of community service organizations, including the San Mateo County Commission on the Status of Women, this is Mary Anne’s second year on the CMS Board. She has served with several organizations, including the Marine Science Institute. She brings CMS extensive experience in corporate organization and board development. Her son studies saxophone at CMS. Mary Anne chairs the Nominating Committee.
Alison Charbonnier
Alison, in her second year on the Board, has a BA and MA in Dance from Bates and Columbia. As a dancer, Alison has performed with some of the leading choreographers. As a teacher and choreographer, she has shown her work extensively in New York, New Jersey and locally.
Bruce Lawrence
A partner in Bogaert Construction Co., Bruce has been the project manager on all past construction projects at CMS including our expansion in 2009. He is a past president of Essex Lions and is active in many community service projects. Bruce lives in Westbrook and enjoys sailing.
Marilyn Regan
Marilyn, who lives in Madison, has been on the CMS Board for 3 years, serving on the 25th Anniversary, Scholarship and Organizational Development Committees. She is a retired teacher and instructional leader in music in the Wilton Public Schools. Marilyn is a certified teacher in Orff-Schuwlerk (Music and Movement Education for Children), and served as President of the CT American Orff-Schulwerk Association as well as an officer on the National Board of AOSA.
Ralph Sturges
Ralph spent 40 years as a portfolio manager with Fleet Bank. A lifelong musician, he began on clarinet; then in college, he volunteered to learn the tuba to fill a void in the band and more recently, he took up the trumpet. Ralph has a deep appreciation of music and extensive knowledge about it, especially in opera and jazz, but even country western! He has served on the Board for 6 years and is on the Long Range Planning, Nominating and Development Committees.
Margaret Very
Margaret, a resident of Essex, has served on the CMS Board for 3 years, serving on the Development and Long Range Planning Committees. A realtor since 1985, she is a Past President of the Midshore Association of Realtors. Margaret’s association with the Essex Board of Trade and Middlesex Chamber of Commerce is very valuable. She’s also very musical, with a BA from Hartt; she plays the flute and has directed church choirs and sung with Cappella Cantorum.
Suzanna McCauley
Aa attorney with the law firm of Hudson and Kilby, Suzanna brings her legal expertise as well as her musical point of view to the CMS Board. As a violinist, she has been an active member of our String Ensemble for 6 years, and one of its most enthusiastic advocates! She and her family, including a young CMS piano student, reside in Essex. This is her first year as a CMS trustee.
Paula Merrick
We are delighted to have this long-time Board member and former Treasurer rejoin our Board. Paula has been associated with CMS for 20 years, ever since moving to the area. Her financial expertise and sense of CMS history lends considerable insight. Paula works part-time at the Connecticut River Museum and is also a volunteer at her church. When she “retired” from the Board in 2007, a CMS student scholarship was named in her honor.
Susan Forte, Executive Director
Susan started at CMS in 2002. She graduated from Hollins University with a major in Interdisciplinary Science, studied psychology in grad school, worked for 10+ years as an employment counselor and customer service supervisor, and worked 10 years as a substitute middle school teacher. She has sung in choruses and choirs all her life and studied piano for 6 years as a child. Susan also brings the parent’s point of view to her job, having raised 3 musical children. She and her husband Rocco live in Hadlyme.