Officers

President: Anne L. Lantry

Anne Lantry is honored to be a part of Washington Opera Society. She feels that music enriches lives, transcends differences and stimulates curiosity. She is a firm believer that exposing young people, in particular, to music affords a generational change that is exciting to be a part of.

Vice President: Robin K. Phillips

Playwright, producer, musician, actor, auteur filmmaker, Phillips spent nearly 12 years living, studying and performing abroad, in Munich, Sydney, London, Brussels, and Monte Carlo. Narrator for Opera Camerata for 7 years, Phillips has also written, produced and starred in one/two character critically-acclaimed original musical plays, such as, "The Music Halls of Paris, 1900-1960," and "Agatha Sings!"--about mystery book writer Agatha Christie, who actually wanted to become an opera singer! On the film industry bible, IMDb.com, Phillips' documentary, "Shakespeare: The Truth Behind the Name" has earned 105 Wins (23 for Best Documentary Feature) & 24 Nominations -- from 88 Film Festivals around the world. This auteur filmmaker singlehandedly earned these bests: Research, Biographical, Educational, Experimental, Inspirational, Sound Design, Co-Editing, Concept, Production Design, Costume. Available on many streaming platforms

Treasurer: Karen Cinibulk

Upcoming bio.

Secretary: Anne L. Lantry

Directors

Peter S. Adam

Peter S. Adam (a/k/a Pierre de Villiers de L'Isle-Adam) is a financier, entrepreneur and bon viveur. De L'Isle-Adam spent his formative years in Tunis and Egypt (Cairo). As an adolescent, he lived in Norwalk and New Canaan, CT, and was educated primarily in US public and private schools. He attended and/or graduated from The New School for Social Research (NYC), UC Berkeley, Defense Language Institute (Monterey, CA) and Columbia University.

While on active duty as an Arabic Linguist in the US Army, he was assigned to NSA HQ, Ft. Meade MD.

Peter/Pierre comes from a musical family; his mother was an accomplished amateur pianist. He studied piano for many years and, as a teenager, played saxophone in various jazz bands.

His mother and father had season tickets to the Metropolitan Opera in NYC, and when his father was away on business trips, he would accompany his mother to performances. He has an affinity for all types of music, including opera, classical, jazz, pop.....and the blues.

Yasmine Askalani

Yasmine Askalani is a passionate advocate for education, the arts, and the empowerment of individuals with disabilities, shaped by her diverse upbringing across multiple countries. As the founder of “Beautiful Minds Club”, a nonprofit organization, she provides tailored support and programs for children on the autism spectrum, fostering personal growth and celebrating their talents. Additionally, Yasmine established "Saving Innocents," an anti-trafficking organization that raises awareness about human trafficking and alleviates suffering caused by this devastating issue.

Her commitment to advocacy includes serving on “the Catholic Coalition for Special Education” promoting inclusion in Catholic schools, and ensuring every child has access to quality education. Yasmine is also involved in community initiatives like St. Jude “Hearts of Fashion “ and “ Keen” where she helps raise funds and facilitates athletics for children with special needs. Before her advocacy work, she had a successful career as an interior designer, working on notable projects and creating welcoming spaces for her nonprofit initiatives.

Zidi Berger, M.D.

Dr. Zidi Berger, M.D., is recognized by Continental Who’s Who as a Pinnacle Professional for her contribution in the field of Health and Wellness as Founder and Medical Director of the Women’s Wellness Institute.

The Women’s Wellness Institute provides individualized, integrated health care through a wide variety of diagnostic and treatment options for women and men, challenging the status quo by offering both the most up-to-date mainstream medical solutions as well as tried and true natural remedies.

Dr. Berger began her medical practice as a Board Certified specialist in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Now, she is a pioneer in integrative and anti-aging medicine, gynecology, dermatology and clinical nutrition with an emphasis in naturopathic medicine. She has earned a Naturopathic Physician Certificate from the American Naturopathic Certification and Accreditation Board and is a member of the American Academy of Anti-aging Medicine and the American Academy of Stem Cell Physicians.

Over the years, her practice has evolved into a leading center for female and male endocrinology, bioidentical hormone replacement, esthetics and cosmetic dermatology. In addition, Dr. Berger regularly attends medical conferences nationwide to ensure that her clinic offers the most advanced and effective treatments for her patients.

Dr. Berger earned her Medical Degree from the National University of Cuyo in Argentina where she stayed on as a teacher and research assistant in histology and neuroendocrinology. She completed her internship at the Catholic University in Santiago Chile and came to the United States for a post-doctoral fellowship in Amenorrhea and Galactorrhea Syndrome at Stanford University. She then completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Washington Hospital Center with affiliations at Johns Hopkins and Walter Reed Hospital. Over the years, she has been quoted as an expert in her field and received countless positive patient testimonies within the US and abroad.

Traudel Lange

Born and raised in Germany, Ms. Lange studied Finance and Economics at the Academy of Bankers in Munich and took Art History classes at the Ludwig Maximilian University in Munich. Traudel worked as an Investment Consultant at a major Bank in Rosenheim/Munich area. They offered her a position as a branch manager; however, life had different plans. Ms. Lange moved with her family to Ecuador for five years and worked for Foster Parents Plan as an English to Spanish translator while raising two children. From there, Ms. Lange relocated for two years to Malawi, Africa, where Traudel continued to contribute to humanitarian efforts.

For over 30 years Ms. Lange has been assisting clients in the sale or purchase of homes and condos in the Greater Washington DC Area.

Traudel’s passion besides work is watching ballet, opera, any kind of dance, the tango, socializing with friends, the outdoors and supporting worthwhile causes like Hope Connections, All Stars Project, Central Union Mission. Habitat for Humanity, St. Jude's Children’s' Research Center, Mc Lean Project for the Arts, and Hillwood Museum and Gardens.

Rafael A. Prieto

A founding member of the Washington Opera Society, Mr. Prieto sang as baritone in religious bands and choirs both in Puerto Rico (where he was born) and in Washington DC, where he settled in 1991. Rafael also sang with the accompanying chorus of Opera Camerata of Washington, a small opera company in the DC area. Participating in the chorus of Handel’s Messiah is a treasured moment of his. Mr. Prieto has been involved in opera organizations for more than 20 years. Mr. Prieto served as the secretary to the Washington Opera Society’s board of directors since its inception in 2015 until December 2023.

John Wall, CPA

John Wall founded John Wall, CPA in 2009.

John also provides accounting and tax services to many businesses and individuals in the entertainment industry. These services include entity formation, managing investments in Broadway, television, and Internet productions, accounting for the recoupment and profit payments to the investors, tax return preparation, and other compliance-related tasks. Because this is a growing part of John’s practice, John now splits his time between Northern Virginia and Los Angeles.

Prior to starting John Wall, CPA, John served as Partner at Martin & Wall, PC in Washington, DC for 12 years. While Partner, John managed tax preparation and other tax-related services for individuals and businesses as well as performed financial audits of businesses, nonprofit organizations, schools, and government agencies.

John received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting from Western New England College. He became a Certified Public Accountant in 1991 and is licensed to practice in Virginia and Maryland.

Advisory Council

Barbara Bennett

Barbara Bennett is the founding President of the Washington Opera Society and was a member of the Board of Directors for almost ten years. She now serves as a member of the Advisory Council. With an MBA in Finance, Ms. Bennett worked for many years in senior positions in banking with a concentration in lending and restructurings in Latin America, However as stated in her high school yearbook, "Art, dancing and opera are her true passions", having danced in Carnegie Hall and treated to her first opera, Wagner's "Das Rheingold" at Lincoln Center on her 16th birthday. Currently she operates the Q Street Fine Art Gallery out of her DC Carriage House home.

Peter Crawford

Upcoming bio.

Jan Du Plain

Jan Du Plain grew up near Hollywood---" “La La Land”---- home to the stars!!!!! She began her early life performing in local plays in her hometown & later joined a repertory company in Northern California. She remained in the arts all her professional life as a publicist representing authors and movie stars with a notable literary agency in LA (Ziegler-Ross); a motion picture company in NYC (CBS Films); an historic theatre in DC (Ford’s)) and a public Television and radio station, the 3rd largest producer of programs, in the USA, in DC (WETA). For the last 15 years, she has worked tirelessly promoting cultural diplomacy inside the largest and most influential diplomatic community in the world—Washington DC! Her passion for ALL arts continues but OPERA remains her biggest love (Thank you Washington Opera Society). Her most enjoyable moments are splashing around in her hot tub in suburban Virginia with her dog, “Prince Oscar” –named after the annual academy awards ceremony (now that’s serious commitment to the arts!) nearby! In addition to her advisory board role at the Washington Opera Society, she serves on the Board of Directors with Theatre Washington, which represents 90 theatres and the annual Helen Hayes Awards in DC!

Benedict J. Hastings

Benedict J. Hastings is a manager and principal of Hastings and Associates full-service appraisal firm in the field of fine art, antiques, decorative arts, and estates. Appraisals are carried out for the purpose of insurance, tax deduction, donations and estate evaluations. Mr. Hastings has been appraising since 1976 and has resided in Washington DC since 1980.

From 1986 through 1989 Mr. Hastings was head of the Russian and Silver Departments of the Phillips Auction House. From 1990 to 1993 Mr. Hastings was employed in the decorative arts department of Sloans Auction House. From that time onwards, he has been with Hastings and Associates.

From 1993 – 1996, Mr. Hastings was the guest appraiser of the television show Metropolitan Magazine. Mr. Hastings works for Fox 5 as an appraiser for the television show Trash and Treasure.

In May 2001, Mr. Hastings was commissioned to sell the contents of the famous Jockey Club and Fairfax Bar, including its collection of fine arts, paintings, furnishings, and lighting.

Mr. Hastings has been a guest lecturer at the Smithsonian Institute, the Hillwood Museum, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation, as well as with the Victorian Society.

Mr. Hastings has been retained to appraise The White House, The National Portrait Gallery, Morven Park Museum in Virginia, The William Paca House in Annapolis, Maryland.

Anne L. Howard-Tristani

Anne L. Howard-Tristani is President of Howard-Tristani International Consulting, specializing in Government Relations, International Public Affairs, Higher Education, and Diplomatic and Cultural Affairs. During her career she worked at an executive level for two Hispanic Serving Institutions of higher education in Puerto Rico, the state University of Puerto Rico (UPR), as Director of the Office of Federal and External Affairs, Office of the President; and, the Ana G. Mendez University System (AGMUS), a private university, as Vice-Chancellor for International, Federal and Corporate Affairs, at the Universidad del Este (UNE). Mrs. Howard-Tristani is also a former Carter Administration official and worked as Special Assistant to the U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce and earlier as Deputy to the Assistant Secretary for Congressional Affairs in the Office of the Secretary of Commerce. Earlier in her career, Mrs. Howard-Tristani worked for a U.S. House Congressional Committee, for the Population Crisis Committee and founded her own government relations firm. She is also currently working on an oral history and book project about her late uncle and mother, entitled: Sibling Citizens: The Lives and Legacies of Hubert H. Humphrey and Frances Humphrey Howard.

Mrs. Howard-Tristani was promoted to the U.S. Senior Executive Service and awarded the SES Certificate of Recognition by President Jimmy Carter. She also received the U.S. Department of Commerce Certificate of Recognition for Outstanding Congressional Liaison Work by the Secretary of Commerce.

Mrs. Howard-Tristani serves on the National Advisory Board of the National Museum of African Art of the Smithsonian Institution; the Board of Directors of The Embassy Series; and on the Advisory Councils of the United Nations Association of the National Capitol Area (UNA/NCA) and, the Washington Opera Society (WOS). She received an M.A. in Political Science from Georgetown University and, a B.S. Cum Laude in Public Relations Journalism from Boston University, School of Public Communications. She is married to Dennis Chavez Tristani and they have three adult children.

Doria E. Kaplan, PhD

Doria Kaplan is a founding member of the Washington Opera Society and has been a member of the Board of Directors since its inception. Her love of opera was acquired as a university student, enthralled by the stellar voices of Maria Callas, Pavarotti, Domingo, etc., on the Metropolitan Opera Saturday radio matinee concerts. After receiving her BA in French and Political Science, Ms. Kapan received a Fulbright Grant to study contemporary French literature at the Ecole des Lettres, Université of Montpellier, France. This was followed by a year as a staff member at the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington, D.C. Ms. Kaplan was nominated to serve as a Hostess-Guide for the U.S. Department of State at the American Pavilion at the Brussels International Exposition. As Executive Assistant to the Administrator of the United Nations Audio-Visual Information Center, Vancouver, B.C., she organized and coordinated an International Conference to approve the films produced for the U.N. Habitat Conference on Human Settlements. Subsequently, she was the Supervisor of the Video Presentation Center for the United Nations Habitat Conference in Vancouver.

She received her MA in French Language and Literature from U.C., Berkeley, and a PhD in French from U.C., Santa Barbara. She was a Professor of French and Italian at New England College in Sussex, England, and at the University of B.C., Vancouver, B.C. Canada. Ms. Kaplan served as a Board member of Le Neon French black box theatre, and the Beethoven Society in Washington, DC. She was on the Board of The Cosmopolitans, a 501(C)(3) charitable social organization. She subsequently changed course to Information Technology, and has served many Departments of the U.S. Government as a Sr. Technical Writer. Opera has always been close to her heart. She has been seen at the Palais Garnier (Paris Opera), la Scala (Milan), La Fenice (Venice), San Carlo (Naples), the Royal Opera House (London) and of course, at the Washington National Opera.

Cary Pollak, Esq.

Mr. Cary Pollak was Vice President of the Board of Directors until 15 May 2024. Cary served as President previously (from 2016-2018).

He retired from the position of Senior Assistant Attorney General for the District of Columbia some years ago and while in that office was nominated by a former president of the DC Bar and by a federal judge to receive the prestigious Rosenberg Award which is granted by the DC Bar once each year to one attorney who demonstrates exemplary service as government counsel. He currently is a member of the faculty of the National Institute for Trial Advocacy, helping to teach litigation skills courses to lawyers around the country and also has served on the faculties of the National Advocacy Center in Columbia, SC, the U.S. Department of Justice Legal Education Institute and the Practicing Law Institute in New York City. Cary also is a member of the William Bryant Inn of Court at the federal courthouse in the District of Columbia.

In addition to his love of the opera, Cary is an accomplished food and travel writer and cooking instructor. He has been featured in print media and on radio talk shows across the country and has given cooking demonstrations at Whole Foods, Williams and Sonoma, Kitchen Bazaar and other establishments. Locally, his byline has appeared in Capitol File and DC Style magazines and in The Wire, which is the on line news publication of the National Press Club. Cary serves on the Press Club’s House Committee and has twice received its Vivian Award for outstanding service to the Club.

Alexandra N. Sényi de Nagy-Unyom, Esq.

Ms. Sényi was President of the Board of Directors from 2020 until 15 May 2024.

She is currently an attorney in private practice at the law offices of Elliot & Chatain, specializing in family law and immigration matters. A native of Vienna, Austria and an avid traveler, she has lived in various countries. Among her international experiences, she has clerked for the solicitor’s office of the Department of Trade and Commerce in the Czech Republic and has served as an Austrian diplomatic representative in Japan. Ms. Sényi holds a B.A. in International Law and Political Science from the University of Paris II Panthéon-Assas and she was a Socrates-Erasmus scholarship recipient at the Charles University of Prague.

In addition to her J.D. from the University of Paris II Panthéon-Assas, she completed her MA. at the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service and her L.L.M at Georgetown Law.

Believing in the spirit of community service and philanthropy, Ms. Sényi has been highly involved with the Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, as an Executive member, and Benefit Committee Co-Chair of its annual Gala. In addition, Ms. Sényi is proud to serve on the Executive Board of FAIR Girls, an organization that fights human trafficking in the DMV area. In her free time, Ms. Sényi enjoys water sports, reading biographies, traveling to exotic destinations. She is passionate about classical music, especially opera. As a lover of music, she has been a long-time supporter of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the Salzburg Opera Festival.

LTC James Smith USAF Ret.

James F. Smith is the owner and operator of the Jim Smith Marina on the Chesapeake Bay. After earning degrees at universities on the east and west coasts of the United States Mr. Smith pursued a career in the United States Air Force and the Defense Energy Center, which is part of the U.S. Department of Defense. During his career he developed concepts, plans and strategies to manage and operate programs to protect U.S. military resources and facilities from attack. At one time he intended to pursue a career as a botanist and was a high school science teacher. He also accepted the challenge of driving a large school bus on the icy roads of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. In retirement, in addition to managing his marina, Mr. Smith enjoys music, especially opera, museums, art and collecting antique treasures.

Legal Counsel

Stefan M. Lopatkiewicz Esq.

Stefan M. Lopatkiewicz is a practicing attorney in Washington, D.C., specializing in the commercial and regulatory telecommunications field. He formerly served as General Counsel of Eutelsat America Corp., the U.S. subsidiary of Paris-based Eutelsat SA, which operates a global fleet of communications satellites. Mr. Lopatkiewicz has long contributed his services as a pro bono advocate for the arts community in the nation’s capital. He has worked in this capacity with both the Washington Opera Society and GALA Hispanic Theatre. He previously served as 1st Vice President and General Counsel of the American Council for Polish Culture, a national organization representing Polish-American cultural societies, as well as President of the Polish-American Arts Association of Washington, D.C. He is the recipient of the Officer’s Service Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland. A graduate of the University of Virginia Woodrow Wilson School of Government and Foreign Affairs and of Harvard Law School, Mr. Lopatkiewicz served as Editor-in-Chief of the Harvard International Law Journal..