Charlene Verster was appointed conductor of the CPYWE in 2024.

She completed her BMus degree through UNISA as well as her UTLM and UPLM on Clarinet  and first went to the Hugo Lambrechts Music Centre in 1992 as a clarinet student.. She has been teaching at the Hugo Lambrechts Music Centre full-time since 2001. Many of her students have excelled and some follow successful careers in music in South Africa and abroad. She was introduced to conducting by her father who was a choir conductor in the New Apostolic Church. During her student years at Hugo Lambrechts, she was nurtured by her mentors and regularly participated in conductors workshops. She is also the conductor of the Hugo Lambrechts Senior Wind Band since 2011. Previously known as the Hugo Lambrechts Symphonic Wind Orchestra, this orchestra has toured nationally as well as internationally. They regularly participate in Eisteddfods, the Windworx Fanfare and various public performances.