Meet the Team!

Music Therapist

Peri Strongwater, MA, MT-BC, NMT is a music therapist, program manager and organization enthusiast.  In addition to running Strongwater Studios, she works on the Inpatient Psychiatric Service unit at Mass General, and at Mass Eye & Ear Hospital where she is their first board-certified music therapist.

She received her BA from Skidmore College in 2011 as a double major in psychology and music composition and worked briefly as a film/tv composer in New York City before realizing that her favorite part of music was making it with other people. She moved to Boston in 2013, and in 2015 launched Strongwater Studios, offering music services and programming to the community. In 2018 she received her master’s in Mental Health Counseling with a Specialization in Music Therapy from Lesley University, after completing clinical placements at Newbridge on the Charles, where she worked with geriatric patients in Assisted Living and Memory Care Assisted Living, and Pelham Academy, a therapeutic residential school that provides treatment and education to adolescent females with emotional/behavioral issues, mental health disorders and complex trauma histories.

Peri's experience and background inspire a cognitive-behavioral and trauma-informed approach in her music therapy treatment, often supporting patients in using music-based strategies to develop long-term coping skills to support emotional regulation. She is a member of the American Music Therapy Association and has presented at local and regional conferences.

Peri plays the guitar, violin, viola, ukulele and piano. She loves to sing lower vocal harmonies with her sisters. Other hobbies and interests include playing with her dog Finley, working out with yoga or cardio drumming, making to-do lists and eating ice cream.

Music Specialist

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Alison Dagger is a flutist, music enthusiast, and educator. She received her BA in Performance from Goucher College in 2008. Ali is currently working towards her Masters degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a specialization in Music Therapy and Expressive Arts Therapy at Lesley University.

Growing up, Alison was encouraged to experiment with music and express herself creatively through dance and art. Her parents loved jazz, classical music, blues, and classic rock and regularly took her to live music events. At the age of 6 she fell in love with the flute and pursued this passion through private lessons and specialized summer camps. She has performed with a number of chamber ensembles, orchestras, and bands, but particularly enjoys impromptu jam sessions. The joy and unique emotional connection she has experienced through this kind of music making is what led her to pursue music professionally.

Alison enjoys exploring music and creativity with all ages in a variety of settings. She has worked with both children and adults teaching private and group lessons.  In addition to her passion for the creative arts, Alison enjoys yoga, outdoors activities, and creating elegant pastries and cakes for special events.

Teaching Strengths: music theory, songwriting, flute, recorder, piano, guitar, creative expression and presentation, mindfulness​

Music Therapist

Stay tuned for Nicole Frederick's return from Down Under!

Nicole has been teaching privately since 2008. After receiving her Bachelor's in Music Education at the Crane School of Music in 2014, Nicole taught Elementary Music in Boston for two years. She recently completed her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, specializing in Music Therapy, at Lesley University.
 
Nicole grew up in a musical home. Her parents encouraged her pursuit of music, starting her on violin when she was 4. She continued her studies of violin through school and in a private orchestra, which challenged her to express music in new ways. This experience led her to pursue music professionally. 
 
While studying at the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam, Nicole completed a specialization in Special Education, where she was introduced to Music Therapy. Her experience teaching in Boston developed her interest in meeting alternative goals using music, encouraging her to pursue her Masters in Music Therapy.
 
Nicole enjoys exploring music with all ages, in a variety of settings. She has performed with several pit orchestras and professional orchestras, but particularly enjoys playing in chamber groups. She also enjoys outdoor activities, reading, being creative in the kitchen, and yoga.
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​Teaching Strengths: Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass, Guitar, Ukulele, Piano