Notes from the Train by Alice Hamlet | January 24, 2019
IN MEMORY Karen Deschere (1956-2019)
On January 11, Wharton Arts’ Executive Director of nearly half a decade, Karen Deschere, succumbed to a long and arduous battle with cancer. She was perhaps the most universally well-liked Executive Director for whom I have ever had the pleasure to work with. The number of wonderful accolades that could be bestowed on Karen as an arts administrator are too numerous to count; for my part, she always gave me an abundance of space—which I deeply appreciated—and was never too busy to offer advice or guidance.
In addition, Karen rather surprised me by wholeheartedly supporting the comedic short films I have created from time to time for the Performing Arts School. Indeed, I was working on the following video on the Friday evening she passed, hurriedly trying to finish editing in order to show her. I thought it might make her laugh.
Without further ado, I present in loving memory of Karen Deschere: Sophie’s Violin Lesson.
If you would like to donate to the Karen Deschere Fund for Excellence, click here.
When not commuting, Alice Hamlet is the Director of Marketing at the Wharton Institute for the Performing Arts and is also on the faculty of the Performing Arts School, teaching cello and music theory.