My flute has always had stellar maintenance from another technician every year but I was really pushing the envelope sending it in due to my performance schedule. It finally just had enough and I had to call Sarah and beg for an emergency appointment. She didn't have one but I'm sure she stayed up until 4:00AM to help me out. She basically resurrected my flute from the dead and it sounds better than it ever has! It was so good I didn't want to play it! I work significantly less to play it and sound better than ever. Months later I'm STILL telling everyone how awesome it sounds thanks to Sarah!
Erin Vivero
Sarah is an absolute rockstar at flute repair! Twice now she has saved me in emergency situations, and has made time in her crazy schedule literally right after I called her. She removed corrosion from my steels just hours before I had a concert, and realigned my foot joint keys days before my recital. To say that I am eternally grateful and appreciative is a vast understatement. It is never a comfortable situation when a flute develops a problem right before an important performance, but my trust in Sarah’s skill, craftsmanship, and timeliness allowed me to remain calm in these circumstances.
Allison Hughes
I finally found someone I can trust to repair my flute and piccolo. My piccolo had several botched repairs from other places that Sarah found and corrected. It now plays like it did years ago. Thank you again.
Tina Giard
Thanks so much Sarah for doing the play adjustment on my piccolo. You diagnosed and fixed the problem so quickly! I'll definitely be coming to you for any future repairs on my picc as well as my flute!! And I'll be sure to pass along your name to my fellow flautists.
Anne Gaston
Sarah did an amazing job on my Brannen. She dedicated herself for hours (my flute needed a lot of work from years without a COA) on perfecting every part of her work, every part of my instrument. I feel so confident in my flute now, and know that any mistakes I make are mine only- no way I can blame my flute anymore! Not only was I able to sit with her through most of the work, she also explained each part of the process. She has passion in what she does. I recommend her to anyone who is looking for a solid, reliable, professional, and consistent flute technician. Wonderful work, Sarah, and thank you.
Katie Kingston
Sarah is a MAGICIAN and I would give her 10 stars if I could! She just completed a COA on my Powell Aurumite 9K and I'm thrilled with the results. My flute plays better now than when it was new! In addition to her impeccable workmanship, Sarah is a delight to work with. Having someone of her caliber and technical artistry in CT is a true gift to New England Flutists.
Janet Dixon-Metcalf
Recently, Sarah Stockton performed a miraculous overhaul on my Gemeinhardt Alto Flute. I've had this instrument for over 50 years. It has never played so well. It's performing in ways that I didn't know it was capable of doing.
What a glorious reunion I'm experiencing. The first thing I noticed was an amazing resonance in the sound. I was used to having a strong core sound with the usual peripheral sound as a doughnut around the core. Now, the core permeates the entire sound. There is no distinct separation of core and periphery. The low register pops out effortlessly, and I don’t have to screw up my courage (or embouchure) for the highest notes. The intonation is ever so much more stable and accurate. The mechanism no longer feels or sounds clunky. It’s effortless and “as smooth as a baby’s bottom.”
This is the third instrument that I’ve asked Sarah to “restore.” (“Repair” is a word that so undervalues what she actually does.) Sarah is first-rate musician, and she brings all that care, knowledge, patience and highest possible standards to her physical work with the flute. I give her my top recommendation!
With deep gratitude and appreciation,
Peter Standaart
Private Lessons Flute Teacher
Wesleyan University
Middletown, CT
Sarah did a fabulous COA on my Azumi AZ3. Even though it is only 1 year old, she managed to improve it dramatically. It plays now with a very light touch and the tone is much better. She also did a COA+ on my 20+ year old Yamaha 225SII backup flute that I bought recently. It was a decent backup flute before... now she made it play almost as good as the Azumi. She also replaced the cork on a used Powell headjoint that I found.
Brian Sanborn
Sarah just completed work on two of my flutes, and I am beyond ecstatic with they way they are now playing! In addition to a COA, she expanded the head joint on my alto flute so it finally fits properly with the body. I can't believe how wonderful it sounds...better than when I first got it! Incredibly thankful to have Sarah and Boundless Flute in Connecticut!
Cecilia Burns
Sarah recently worked on my piccolo and flute (both Yamahas). She did an incredible job with them. The piccolo is a completely different instrument now! I love how easily it plays now--it's virtually effortless to get out notes in both high and low registers. My flute also feels and plays like new again. Sarah does amazing work, and I'm recommending her to all my flute friends!
Katie Black
Sarah, all I can say is "WHOSE piccolo is this?" It takes off like a rocket and it soars!! It plays like it's NEVER played. Nobody's ever gotten it right. From the pads to the sound to the fine little adjustments to mechanism. The leaks and annoying little wobbles and clicks are gone, and the tone production is instant and solid. I didn't know how hard I was working to play this instrument in the past. Now it's effortless, and sounding brilliant. THANK YOU 1,000 times over!
Stacey Severn
I took my Altus alto to Sarah as it was not playing well. Sarah did a COA and when I picked it up, it was amazing; it played like new again and had that ring in the sound that we all love. My alto played so easily and with less air needed, I had to move my breath marks! My low C, C # and D just jumped out without any effort.
I am so impressed by Sarah's work! She is a treasured gift to the flutes of CT.......and everywhere!
Mary Sand
Sarah's work is impeccable! I gave her my handmade Emanuel flute for a COA and it came back absolutely beautiful and ringing. Boundless Flute is a true Connecticut gem for flutists.
Alex Tucker Slap
Sarah Straubingered my Williams, and it's never played better! She is a consummate professional. Highly recommend for repair jobs big and small.
Sarah-Jane Ripa
Sarah had to take my very abused professional flute and make it play again and she DID IT!!! It's been an orphan in my home for a long time so now it gets a new life! It's great to have a trusted flute repair person IN CONNECTICUT. Cripe, it's about time!!!!!
Adrianne Greenbaum
(Retired) Principal Flute, New Haven Symphony
Professor of Music (modern, 18th and 19th c. flute and klezmer ensemble), Mount Holyoke College
I'm so thrilled with my flute and all I've had time to do is play scales for 10 minutes! I've NEVER liked the 2nd octave Eb on this flute and now it speaks clearly, no longer stuffy. So awesome!!! Seriously, my flute sounds better than when it was new, it speaks clearly in all octaves, just love it. ...it'll be later before I can do some real playing but I just had to let you know how delighted I am with your technical artistry.
J.M.
Thanks for the research on my flute. Also, I have a few hours free today and wanted to let you know that I am very excited about the return of my flute to its "special self". You did a wonderful job of repairing and cleaning it. I can't get over the difference in playing it between before and after your work. It sounds wonderful and is so...... much easier to play. And of course it looks great again. I applaud your talent and thank you very much for a great job!
Jean Hester
I honestly cannot thank you enough. It's perfect! I had no idea my flute could play as well as it just did- I feel like I have no limits (I also should up my game). Best of luck with all the other flutes in line for repair, I know they will all come out stellar after your work on them.
Grace Helmke