Founder & Artistic Director

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Dr. Joan Thomson Kretschmer, Artistic Director and founder of the Lyric Chamber Music Society of New York, attended Smith College, graduated from Barnard College, and received her M.A. and Ph.D. in musicology from Columbia University, where she was a Clarence Barker Fellow. She has been a music critic for The New York Post.. (Read more) 

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Seisei is the CEO and founder of Tandem Consulting Group, providing strategy, organizational development, and fractional operations consulting to clients across three continents. She is also a Venture Partner at Republic, coach at The Grand, investor with Pipeline Angels, and a Phillips Exeter Academy General Alumni Assoc. Director. Seisei is a McGill & Columbia graduate. 

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Michele Pesner has been a Lyric Board Member since 2001. She and her husband, Steve Pesner (pictured here) are prominent supporters of numerous visual arts, museums, dance and music organizations. Steve is a Senior Counsel at Friedman Kaplan.

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Janusz Kaleta is a founder of "AI 1 to 10" and Manhattan Nursing Services, with his deep interest in the neuroplasticity, cortical reorganization, and the intersection of Art and Science. He is actively immersed in the classical music scene in NYC and passionate about supporting emerging artists.

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Richard Alsop is partner in the Capital Markets Group at Shearman & Sterling, LLC. He advises corporations and investment banks on a broad variety of capital markets works. He has more than 25 years of experience as a Corporate and Securities Law professional, and 15 years of in house experience at Merrill Lynch.

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In January of 2004, Reggie Bahl heard a moving performance by a young but struggling chamber music group that would change the course of his life. After serious soul searching and with no knowledge of the industry, he began to familiarize himself with classical music, and soon after quit a lucrative corporate job to start his own.... (Read more)

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An active philanthropist, Didi along with her husband, Oscar Schafer (pictured here) are best know to New Yorkers for being proud sponsors of NY Philharmonic's Concerts in the Park. Didi is also on the Board New York Common Pantry, The Central Park Conservancy and Second Stage Theater.

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Richard Lubman is a private investor and retired Financial Analyst/Portfolio Manager. He has worked for various financial firms and also had a seat on the American Stock Exchange. Richard (Pictured with Joan Kretschmer)  was formerly involved with The Chopin Foundation (USA). He and his wife, Terry, divide their time between Connecticut and Florida.

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Aimee Toner is a flutist, educator, and non-profit arts administrator. She is a graduate with a Master of Music from the New England Conservatory, and is also a graduate of Barnard College, majoring in Ethnomusicology and Economics. Aimee is dedicated to the accessibility of classical music, and has expressed this passion through her work in development and fundraising.

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Steve is a classically trained violinist, mandolinist, and composer as well a photographer. Being a musician he especially enjoys concert photograpy and also does documentary and landscape work.

President - Board Director ​

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Ambrose Madison Richardson is a transactional lawyer who litigates, and a litigator who does deals. His practice centers on business and property—real, personal, and intellectual. He was a principal of his own firm in Rockefeller Center for 25 years before teaming up with Solomon Blum Heymann in 2003. He is admitted to practice in New York.

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Eunis is a seasoned consultant at PwC with 10+ years of experience in deals and growth strategy. She works with corporate and private equity firms, building close relationships with the C-suite and leading a variety of teams to create value. Growing up playing piano, she is passionate about music, education, and expanding a community of music lovers. Eunis is a Wharton MBA and a CPA in New York. 

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A native of Chevy Chase, Maryland, Brian is an associate in Investment Services at The Capital Group.  He began his involvement with the Lyric in 1999 as a loyal volunteer and has been a dedicated ambassador ever since. He graduated from Duke University with a degree in Computer Science, and during his free time he enjoys spending time with his family and learning the cello.

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Babu Uthaman is Certified Public Accountant licensed in the States of New York and California, and is also an Enrolled Agent with the Internal Revenue Service. He has over 15 years of experience helping foreign and US corporations and individuals with their tax compliance and reporting. He has been with Lyric since 2016. 

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Antonio started his career as a software engineer in Brazil, before embracing a new career in film-making after spending a year studying in film school. He has produced more than 500 short films, interviews and documentaries, including his current TV show called Music for All which airs on the Manhattan Neighborhood Network. 

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