Community music school board of trustees
Susan E. Saltus, 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.
E. Peter Bierrie, Vice President
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.
Paula Merrick, Treasurer
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.
Marilyn Regan, Secretary
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.
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.
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.
Robin Andreoli, Executive Director
Robin joined CMS in July 2010. She received her Bachelor's Degree in communication and MBA from the University of New Haven and is currently pursuing a degree in accounting. Robin has worked extensively in the Connecticut arts community, as both an administrator and senior development officer, for organizations that include Chestnut Hill Concerts, Long Wharf Theatre, the International Festival of Arts & Ideas, Film Fest New Haven, and the Shubert Theater. She and her husband Paul reside in Northford with their family of three dogs.