President, Board of Directors

Associate Concertmaster

Joined
April 2014

Education
M.A. Arts Administration, Indiana University - Bloomington
B.M. Music Performance, Ithaca College

Profession
Fundraiser

Hometown
Chicago, IL

About Charles
Charles Palys is a passionate advocate for the arts in Chicago. As the President of the Lakeview Orchestra Board and Associate Concertmaster, Charles has been instrumental in guiding the orchestra's vision and fostering a strong sense of community among its members. His leadership has helped the orchestra grow and thrive, bringing high-quality music to audiences throughout the city.

Charles co-chaired the Advancing Excellence: Making Moves campaign, which was pivotal in supporting the orchestra's move to its current venue and raising awareness of the ensemble. Additionally, as chair of the development committee, he played a key role in securing increased philanthropic support, contributing to the organization's growth and sustainability.

Professionally, Charles partners with philanthropists to help non-profit organizations pursue their visions and achieve their goals.

Charles's involvement in the Lakeview Orchestra has led to deep friendships and extraordinary experiences, including the opportunity to perform classical masterworks such as Stravinky’s  The Rite of Spring and Petrushka, as well as Mahler's 1st and 5th Symphonies. He is continually inspired by the dedication and energy of his fellow orchestra members. Guided by the principles in Michael Kaiser's book, The Art of the Turnaround, particularly the importance of focusing on today and tomorrow, not yesterday, Charles strives to make a lasting impact.

Looking ahead, Charles aspires to make the Lakeview Orchestra more vibrant and prominent, attracting larger audiences and earning greater esteem.

Outside of his professional and musical endeavors, he is a long-suffering tennis player and fan, bringing the same dedication and passion to the court as he does to his work. As Ludwig van Beethoven once said, “To play a wrong note is insignificant; to play without passion is inexcusable.”