Bios T-Z
Elaine Thoma
C flute, Bass flute holds a BM and a B.Mus.Ed. from Syracuse University and graduate studies at Boston University, Tanglewood Institute, Academie Internationale D’été, Nice, France, Hartt Suzuki Institute and Chicago Suzuki Institute. She studied with James Pappoutsakis, Robert Stallman, Jean Pierre Rampal and James Galway. She is a Connecticut Regional and All-State adjudicator. She is an active freelance performer throughout New England and New York. Community & School Partnerships Community Outreach Coordinator
Erin Vivero
Bass flute, Alto flute - BM in Flute Performance, BA in Film Studies from the U. of California, Santa Barbara, Professional Certificate in Paralegal Studies U. of Hartford, MS in Organizational Leadership and MBA from Quinnipiac U. She was awarded the Affiliates Award and Artsbridge Scholarship for performance excellence while at University, has a private flute studio in Colchester, CT where she coaches a high school and adult flute choir (Flute Loops). She performs regularly throughout the state as an ensemble and solo artist. A former operations manager for the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, she now works for her family business in Branford in marketing and human resources. Her background includes extra & acting work in music videos and film productions in California and Connecticut as well as local commercials and theatrical productions. www.erinvivero.com
C flute, Bass flute - .D. Music Therapy, MT-BC (BS in Music Therapy and Music Education, Slippery Rock University of PA, Masters of Music Therapy, Temple University), a board-certified music therapist with over 15 years of experience with children with special needs, psychiatric and medial clients, in hospice care and in private with adult clients. In 2010, she was awarded the Outstanding Service to the New England Region of the American Music Therapy Association, for which she serves as vice-president. Heather works at several Connecticut Hospitals, has a private practice, is an Adjunct Professor at Temple University, performs on String Bass and Electric Bass as well as flute.
Minta White
C flute – MM in Modern American Music, Longy School/Bard College, MA; BM in Performance, Hartt School, CT; studies with John Wion, Marco Granados, jazz flute with Hiro Honshuku and Peter Cansino. She has won several awards both for flute and piano performances, most recently winning the Honors Competition at Longy School of Music in 2012. She has performed with many well known improvisors, including Latin Grammy winner Alex Brown, pianist for Paquito D’Rivera’s band, Joe Morris (guitar) and Stephen Haynes(trumpet). Minta has performed with the Alturas Duo, and duo Mintoso with Carlos Boltes (viola, charango). She currently performs as a member of free music collective Carte Noire with pianist Tim Peck, and in a classical/free improvisation duo with pianist Kitty Cheung-Evans. In addition to private lessons, Minta teaches at The Ethel Walker School and Music and Arts in West Hartford.