About
Elaine Saloio is an award-winning flutist and Professor of Flute and Lecturer at Westfield State University. In addition, she is on faculty at in the music departments of Holyoke Community College and The Community Music School of Springfield. Elaine is known for her enthusiasm as a teaching artist, motivating countless students that have gone into flute performing careers, the field of music education, and various high level professional occupations. Her students have prestigious awards and competitions, are frequent participants in MMEA Senior District Festivals as well as All-State Festivals. “There is nothing more satisfying than inspiring my student’s creativity, being their mentor and taking pride in their various endeavors.” Being an accomplished teacher and performer for over thirty years, Elaine is frequently invited to present master classes at the university level as well as to high school and middle school aged students. As a performer, Ms. Saloio is a sought-after collaborative chamber musician, soloist and orchestral flutist that has performed throughout the Eastern United States and abroad. She recorded original music for the Eric Carle Museum of Picture book Art’s Picture Book Theater in Amherst, Massachusetts. Elaine was honored to be a teaching artist and performer at the International Flute Festival in San Jose, Costa Rica, performing a recital in the Teatro Nacional de Costa Rica.
Currently, Elaine serves as a member of the Board of Director’s for the Pappoutsakis Flute Competition in Boston Massachusetts. The board oversees a yearly competition awarding a cash prize and a recital performance to the first prize winner. Flutists attending The New England Conservatory, Longey School of Music, Boston University and The Boston Conservatory at Berklee are invited to audition. The competition is named after the great pedagogue and former flutist of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, James Pappoutsakis. Elaine is a former first prize winner of the James Pappoutsakis Memorial Flute Competition and the competition’s first winner invited to serve on the board.
Upon graduation with a Master of Music Degree from The New England Conservatory of Music, Ms. Saloio was awarded the prestigious Distinction in Performance Prize which recognizes a student that has demonstrated exceptional performance ability and potential. Elaine received her Bachelor of Music degree from The Boston Conservatory of Music.
Having studied with many prestigious teachers, I am forever grateful for their wisdom, guidance and artistry. Teachers include Lois Schaefer, Tom Nyfenger, John Heiss, William Grass, and Aram Bedrossian.
During her downtime, Elaine cherishes spending time with her family over a good meal, playing with her grandchildren and summering at the Maine coastline.