Board & Staff
Caitlin Duffy, Board President
Caitlin (s/he/they) grew up around the artistic hubs of Middletown, CT, spending time in arts and cultural centers like the Buttonwood Tree with her sisters and aunts. Her father, who worked at the Record Express formerly on Main Street in Middletown, instilled a love for music in her at a very young age.
Caitlin graduated from Drew University with a Bachelor of Arts in French and Psychology. She came back to Connecticut from New Jersey to pursue a career in any sector she could get her hands on, from medical to political, town government to nonprofits, and finally to the arts.
Outside of her work, Caitlin enjoys volunteering at the Buttonwood, especially at live music events and teaching neurographic and collage art classes. She also is co-chair on the Board of the Fair Rent Commission in Middletown. Her hobbies include playing bass guitar, painting literally anything, and collecting too many dolls and stuffed animals.
Edward Langford Jr., Board of Directors
Edward (Eddie) Langford is thrilled to be a part of The Buttonwood Tree Performing Arts Center family. He is originally from Rhode Island, but has lived in Middletown since 2006.
Eddie is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Behavioral Clinician with an office downtown and have worked in the Mental Health and Human Services fields for more than 35 years, with a strong interest in mindfulness and music. In 2021, He completed the inaugural Mindfulness Facilitator Certification Program at the Copper Beech Institute in West Hartford.
Derrik Bosse, Program Director
Derrik is a musician, composer, and production engineer from Berlin, CT. Since 2006, he has been a founding member of numerous groups in varying genres: post-punk, Rock-fusion, R&B, Neo-jazz, Trad, and blues. He is currently the Program Director at The Buttonwood Tree Performing Arts Center in Middletown, CT.
Eileen has practiced as a critical care RN in the CICU at Yale New Haven Hospital combining Reiki practice with patient care. Since retirement she has become a Reiki Master offering Reiki class and facilitating Reiki events at the Buttonwood Tree Performing Arts Center. This contributes to the healing vibes of the arts community.
She involves herself within the Middletown community interacting with the neighborhood around the Buttonwood. She volunteers on Mondays open mics reading other’s short stories and poetry. She has also displayed her sea-glass art along with managing the book sales at make Music Day. She is excited to be part of this board.
Eileen lives in Wallingford with her husband and two adult children and 3 cats. She enjoys, biking, hiking, swimming, and making art.
Terri Lachance, Board of Directors
Terri Lachance comes to The Buttonwood from her love of the atmosphere. She comes from a background of Elementary Education. She is a singer songwriter that has 6 CD’s of original music with the Terri and Rob Duo.
She is a musician that plays all over CT and also books for a few locations as well. She runs the Open Mic the First and Third Monday with her her musical partner Rob De Sorbo. Terri has been a longtime volunteer at TBT, and joined the board of directors in February 2024.
Vicki Gagliardi, Board of Directors
Vicki Gagliardi is a Contemporary style Singer / Songwriter from Southington, Connecticut. Her sound is influenced by classic artists including The Carpenters, Carol King, Patsy Cline, Adele.
In addition, she is one of the open mic hosts at The Buttonwood Tree in Middletown (Every 2nd Monday) She also continues to work full-time as an Occupational Therapy Assistant working with young adults with mental health issues for the past 13 years.
John Smigel, Board of Directors