Meet the Team!

Founder & Music Director

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Peri Strongwater MT-BC is a music therapist, music teacher, early childhood educator, music practitioner, songwriter and organization enthusiast. She received her BA from Skidmore College in 2011 as a double major in music and psychology and earned her Masters in Mental Health Counseling with a specialization in Music Therapy in 2018.

Peri's musical accomplishments include producing film scores, writing several albums worth of singer-songwriter songs, and a composing number of classical concert pieces. She has worked at a college music department, a concert hall, a non-for-profit music organization, a recording studio and on an HBO show soundtrack. She has also played in numerous orchestras and chamber groups.

Other hobbies and interests include yoga, karate, traveling, making to-do lists, picking sunflowers and eating ice cream. Most importantly, she is determined to bring together her passions for music and people, and to share her love of music with all.

Teaching Strengths: early childhood music, songwriting, composition, music theory, piano, violin, viola, guitar, ukulele

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

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Brooke Rutstein MT-BC is a music therapist with a certification in neurologic music therapy. She received her BA in music and psychology from the University of Chicago, and completed her Master’s degree in Music Therapy at Lesley University. Brooke has worked as a music therapist and music educator before beginning this position. She has also written a number of songs, and has composed classical pieces that have been publicly premiered. She participated in choirs and voice lessons from age 10 throughout college, where she also began teaching voice lessons. Brooke believes that everyone has the ability to grow, develop, and learn through musical experiences. In addition to being a music therapist, she is committed to contributing to the ongoing research within the field. Outside of music, she enjoys traveling, watching sports, and walking her dog.
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Therapeutic population strengths: Autism Spectrum Disorder and other developmental disabilities; children with PTSD, ODD, and other mental health diagnoses; children and adults learning self-expression skills and strengthening self-confidence; music and memory with older adults; neurodiverse populations

Teaching Strengths: voice, guitar, music theory, songwriting, composition​

Music specialist & social media manager

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

Dance & Movement Specialist

Alex Welych-Miller has always had a passion for dancing. She has studied dance since the age of three, when she first saw The Nutcracker. Alex has performed in several productions with the Syracuse City Ballet and Moscow Ballet, including The Nutcracker and Dracula. She has also performed in many productions at Hobart and William Smith Colleges, where she received a BA in Dance and Psychology. Alex is currently pursuing a Masters in Dance/Movement Therapy and Counseling at Lesley University.

Alex has taught ballet classes to different ages and levels of ability and has also studied African and Jamaican dance, jazz, modern, yoga, Pilates, and mindfulness. Alex has choreographed several pieces throughout her career and was invited to attend the American College Dance Association conference three times. She has also worked extensively with children on the Autism spectrum and children with developmental disabilities.

In addition to her passion for dance, Alex has also studied several musical instruments, including violin and guitar. Alex loves sharing music, movement, and dance with all ages, especially children. In addition to dancing and teaching, Alex enjoys bicycling, canoeing, reading, and hiking.
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Teaching strengths: ballet, jazz, yoga, mindfulness