Hannah C. Shmerler

Hannah Shmerler came to The Performing Arts Center in June 1980 as a volunteer to help with the arrival of the first Pepsico Summerfare, a major summer arts festival which continued at Purchase College for the next ten summers. The volunteers grew in number from a handful to almost 200 and became a strong presence there and also becoming an integral part of The Performing Arts Center year round.

Ms. Shmerler is still actively involved in the activities of this volunteer task force known as the Prompters. A rewarding involvement of thirty‐five years and counting!

Ms. Shmerler has been actively involved at the College’s Conservatory of Music since 1984 serving as co‐chair of Friends of Music. With her husband, Walter, they have endowed Master Classes for Music and Dance Conservatory students in collaboration with The Performing Arts Center. Additionally, they have endowed a Vocal Scholarship Fund for the Conservatory of Music. Ms. Shmerler serves on the Boards of Westchester Philharmonic and Arts Westchester.

In her “earlier” life Ms. Shmerler enjoyed a singing career, performing in concerts, recitals and opera.

A born (Mt. Kisco) and bred Westchesterite, Ms. Shmerler met and eventually married co‐Scarsdale High School alum Walter class of ’42 (Hannah class of ’44). Moving from Scarsdale to Armonk, they now live in Rye and have two sons.