Who We Are
FluteFest was conceived through the collaborative effort of Middletown, CT, flutists who wanted to bring together people who love the flute and flute playing. The FluteFest model is based on an event called the Flute-In, which was held July 26, 2011, at a local arts organization, and was a great success bringing together over 30 flutists. We wanted to bring something like the Flute-In back, and the FluteFest was born.
2025 Organizers
Dr. Nadya Potemkina is the conductor of Wesleyan University Orchestra and Concert Choir, and also teaches courses in instrumental conducting and orchestral literature.
Sarah Stockton is a freelance flutist and a software engineer. She formerly was owner, private lessons teacher, and flute repair technician at Boundless Flute. She is the only Straubinger certified and Muramatsu Authorized repair tech in the state of CT. She was Private Lessons Teacher in Flute at Wesleyan University for several years, and holds a Bachelor of Music in Flute Performance from the University of Connecticut, and a Master of Music Education from The Boston Conservatory.
Stacey Severn fell in love with the flute as a small child and earned her Bachelor of Music from Western Connecticut State University. Although her ultimate career was in sales, Stacey taught privately and freelanced, and remains active in a number of large and small ensembles throughout the state. She also likes to geek out with cool people in the science community, working with Neil Degrasse Tyson for many years, and now working with her friend Cady Coleman - former NASA astronaut and flutist who played a duet from space with Ian Anderson! In addition to playing the flute, Stacey's pastimes include pottery, crocheting, science journalism and a recent collaboration with Jim Clash on his book, Amplified: Interviews with Icons of Rock'N'Roll.
Past Organizers
Aleksandra Newland is a Polish-American flutist and piccoloist who loves to geek out over all things flute-related. She is the Private Lessons Teacher in Flute at Wesleyan University, and is a member of the Connecticut Valley Symphony Orchestra, the Connecticut Flute Orchestra, and Concrete Timbre - a performance collaborative in NYC. Aleksandra holds a Master's degree in Flute Performance and Pedagogy from the Grażyna and Kiejstut Bacewicz Academy of Music in Łódź, Poland
Erin Vivero is a professional flutist and entertainer. She holds a BM in Flute Performance and a BA in Film Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara, as well as an MS and an MBA. She is a private flute teacher at the Vivero Flute Studio in Colchester, Connecticut, and coaches the Flute Loops and Junior Flute Loops choirs through the studio.
Jenny Comerford studied flute at the University of Connecticut with Dr. Barbara Hopkins. She currently performs with the Connecticut Flute Orchestra and her flute trio.
Peter Standaart was a founding member of FluteFest, and was the Private Flute Lessons Teacher at Wesleyan University from 1975 until his death in 2018. He was an outstanding flutist, a champion of new music, and an incredible source of joy and community. He is greatly missed.
