About the Opera Club

Opera Club of The Villages is the proud sponsor of the

Harold S. Schwartz Music Scholarship Program.


Since its beginning, the Opera Club of The Villages has awarded more than $590,000 in scholarships to high school students in Lake, Marion & Sumter Counties Florida.

2020/2021 Officers (Learn more)

Geraldine Piscitelli, President & Program Chair

Lou Sasmor, Vice President & Membership Chair & Publicity

Ann Forrester, Recording Secretary

Pearl Kosa, Corresponding Secretary & MAP Chair

Helga Sharp, Treasurer

Mary Boczkowski, Director & Assistant to Corresp. Secretary

Marlene Croft, Director & Hospitality Chair

Geri Dempsey, Director of Community Relations

Dave Harrold, Director

Gigi Letendre, Director & Sunshine Chair

Rosalie Locke, Director

Norm Schuster, Director & Marketing Coordinator

Marty Taylor, Director & Scholarship Chair

Roy Ullrich, Director & Webmaster

Rosalie Locke & Rudy Ruckert, Hospitality Committee

Bill Doherty​, Advisor

Opera Club of The Villages major milestones:

  • 1995 - Formed as an opera & classical music social club.

  • 2002 - Five music scholarships awarded.

  • 2004 - Club becomes incorporated in Florida as Opera Club of The Villages, Inc. (N04000001166)

  • 2004 - Three music scholarships awarded - Reginald Oliver (sax); David Richs (piano); and Katrina Schoenfeldt (vocal)

  • 2005 - Five music scholarships awarded - Lisa Fleetwood (violin); Heather Davidson (flute); Melanie Di Lorenzo (drums); Niki Melcher (flute); and Steven Stevens (clarinet).

  • 2006 - Four music scholarships awarded - Constance Rogalski (vocal); Christine Gonzalez (violin); Alvin deTorres (trombone); and Jessica Ellison (sax).

  • 2011 - Receive IRS 501(c)(3) status (Fed. ID: 20-0669641)

  • More info to be added soon