Join us for this enchanting flute and piano duo featuring a French/American program with works by Taffanel, Copland, Coleman, and Boulanger.
Free and open to the public. Donations to support the concert series accepted at the door.
This performance will also be live-streamed to the Saugatuck Church YouTube channel.
About the Musicians
Flutist Aimee Toner’s dynamic performance experience has included performing with orchestras throughout New England, headlining contracted recitals along the east coast, and collaborating in chamber groups that have ranged from jazz trios in Italian restaurants to wind quintets on stage at Carnegie Hall.
As a concert artist, Aimee has passionately curated and performed recitals in Connecticut, Georgia, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and South Carolina. Currently, Aimee is the flutist in Duo Brève, a touring harp-flute duo with harpist Mia Venezia that is managed by the Lyric Chamber Music Society of New York. She has also presented and performed as a soloist at both the National Flute Association Convention (NFA) and the Midatlantic Flute Convention (Flute Society of Washington). Toner’s orchestral experience includes performances with the the Waterbury Symphony, the Greater Bridgeport Symphony, the Hartford Symphony, the Norwalk Symphony, and the Cape Symphony, among others. While living in New York City, Aimee held the principal flute chair at the Grammy award-winning New York Youth Symphony (NYYS) for two seasons. Toner is honored to represent Wm S. Haynes Co. as a Haynes Young Artist, and plays on a custom 10K Gold Haynes Flute.
Aimee is a graduate of the New England Conservatory (MM in flute performance) and Barnard College of Columbia University (dual BA in Ethnomusicology and Economics). Toner is currently the Instructor of Flute at both the University of Connecticut (UConn), and Eastern Connecticut State University (ECSU). These university positions complement her private studio teaching in New Haven.
Dr. Weiwei Zhai is an accomplished pianist and educator. Her musical prowess was evident from an early age, winning a national competition in China at 15 years old. Dr. Zhai holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the Manhattan School of Music, where she studied under the guidance of legendary pedagogue Dr. Solomon Mikowsky. Her musical journey began at the Affiliated School of the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing, laying the foundation for her future success.
A decorated musician, Dr. Zhai has garnered numerous accolades throughout her career, including first prize in the Eisenberg-Fried Concerto Competition at the Manhattan School of Music and third prize in the Kazakhstan International Piano Competition. Her performances have graced prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital Hall, Merkin Hall, and Symphony Space in New York City, as well as international stages in Italy and China. She has received invitation to give performances and presentations at renowned institutions, including Ithaca College, John Jay College, and Rutgers University.
In recent years, Dr. Zhai has been stretching the traditional boundaries of classical music by infusing it with Latin flair. For the past three years, she has been collaborating with Puerto Rican musician, Dr. José Maldonado, creating a unique fusion of Chinese traditional folk music, Puerto Rican rhythms, and standard classical repertoire. This innovative approach showcases Dr. Zhai's versatility and her commitment to bridging diverse musical traditions. Their piano and guitar duo has received a 2026 Ensemble Forward Grant from Chamber Music America.