Board & Staff
Anne-Marie Cannata McEwen
Board of Directors
Co-President
Anne-Marie Cannata McEwen moved to Middletown, CT in 1993 with her young family, in roles as soccer mom and dental hygienist. With a deep desire to serve, she developed a connection to the local arts community. Her early involvement in community-based arts shaped her commitment to supporting artists and cultural programming.
She became involved with The Buttonwood Tree in 2007 joining the board and was appointed Executive Director in 2008. In 2023, after a change in Buttonwood leadership, she resigned and focused on her family. During her tenure, she helped guide the organization into a vibrant, inclusive performing arts center.
Edward Langford
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 has 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.
Terri Lachance
Board of Directors
Co-President
Booking
Terri Lachance comes to The Buttonwood from her love of the atmosphere! She has a background of Elementary Education.
She is also a prolific songwriter and performer – with more than 6 CD’s of original music with (and more to come).
She plays all over CT and also books for a few locations including here at The Buttonwood. She runs the Anything Goes Open Mic every first and third Monday of the month.
Eileen Anderson
Board of Directors
Secretary
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.
Glenn Pero
Board of Directors
Treasurer
Glenn has over 25 years of accounting experience in the New England area, including the last 12 years at Robert Half based out of Hartford, CT. Glenn is a life-music fan attending many concerts each year and a member of the non-profit Parlor Room Collective in Northampton, MA. He is also an avid musician, started with learning to play the guitar at 19 in college as a hobby. And keeping it as a hobby until 2014 when he started singing and recording original songs he had written, he has been performing them throughout the Northeast over the last 10 years.