Faculty & Staff

Dani is the Executive Director and Music Director of Superior String Alliance, a non-profit organization that supports the art of learning and performing music on the violin, viola, cello, and bass throughout the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Dani performs with the Quad City Symphony Orchestra in Iowa as a member of the violin section, the Marquette Symphony Orchestra in Michigan as Associate Concertmaster, and the Fox Valley Symphony in Wisconsin as Principal Second Violin. She can also be found sharing a wide variety of unique chamber music experiences with audiences around the Great Lakes region, especially with the Superior String Alliance Chamber Players and the Tuuli Quartet. Dani studied violin with Connie Weiner, Anthea Kreston, Wen-Lei Gu, Samantha George, and Janet Sung. Dani holds a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance and a Bachelor of Arts in Gender Studies from Lawrence University, and a Master of Music in Violin Performance and a Performance Certificate from DePaul University. She has been the Music Director of SSA’s Summer Music Camp for 16 years, and is the proud owner of innumerable tie-dye T-shirts. She is also always excited to see toads or frogs, at SSA Camp or otherwise.

Originally from Seattle, Washington, Adam has been playing the cello since the age of four. He began his undergraduate studies in Chicago at DePaul University, and later moved to Glasgow where he completed his bachelor's and master's degrees in cello performance at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, studying with Alison Wells. He was then awarded the prestigious Holland Scholarship and continued his post-graduate studies with Michel Strauss and Jan-Ype Nota at the Koninklijk Conservatorium in Den Haag, specializing in contemporary music and improvisation.

Adam is currently based in Marquette, Michigan, where he is the associate principal of the Marquette Symphony and a core member of the Traverse City Philharmonic. He frequently performs solo and chamber music recitals around the Upper Peninsula of Michigan with the Superior String Alliance Chamber Players, and is also a certified Kundalini Yoga teacher.

April Hickey is a Licensed Professional Music Therapist (LPMT), violist, part time touring and recording punk rock guitarist, and SSA camp enthusiast! April has been working at SSA camp since 2011, starting as a counselor, then teaching viola, and for the majority of their SSA career has had the pleasure of working as camp director. As a music therapist, April works with people of all ages and abilities to support health and wellness through the power of music. As a camp director, April keeps things moving through the power of silly songs and friendship bracelets. April grew up in Michigan's Upper Peninsula in the town of Manistique, studied music therapy at Eastern Michigan University, and now lives in Chicago where she runs a community based music center along with another previous SSA staffer. SSA is one of April's favorite parts of the year, and April cherishes the opportunity to stay connected with the wonderful string music community of the UP.

Maddy has loved returning to SSA camp since 2012. To fill the time waiting for summer to come each year, she teaches a full studio of cello students in Houston TX, and performs with her band, Mystery Loves Company, where she plays electric cello, sings, and writes music.
She graduated with a Bachelor of Music in Cello Performance from Lawrence University in 2010, spent 8 years as Orchestra Director at KIPP SHARP Fine Arts Primary school in Houston.
At camp Maddy especially looks forward to leading workshops, doing musical collaborations with campers and staff (called "Mad Collabs"), and giving speed walking demonstrations. One foot on the ground at all times!

Originally from Columbiaville, MI, Harry’s early education on the bass began in his high school jazz ensemble and playing in local bands. After high school Harry attended NMU and studied bass under Dr. Barbara Rhyneer, graduating with a music education degree in 2013. For many years Harry performed regionally and taught string instruments privately. In 2019 Harry was hired at Negaunee Public Schools, where he currently teaches 5th-12th grade orchestra. He has had the privilege of performing with many groups including Michael Waite, Bill Carrothers, Marquette Symphony, Superior String Alliance Chamber Players and Patrick Booth.

Originally from Marquette, MI, Lauren Perala began playing the viola after joining her third grade teacher Cathy Moilanen’s after school strings program. She currently lives in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley and performs with the Lehigh University Philharmonic Orchestra. Lauren holds a Master of Music Degree in Viola Performance from The Hartt School where she studied Rita Porfiris, and a Bachelor of Music Degree in Viola Performance from Butler University where she studied with Richard Auldon Clark and Davis Brooks. During the summer she teaches at the Superior String Alliance Summer Music Camp in Crystal Falls, MI where she has been a teacher and cabin counselor since 2011.

In addition to teaching and performing, Lauren enjoys exploring the East Coast with her husband Kyle, caring for their senior dogs and cats, and working in the historic preservation trades restoring historic windows.

Hudson Webber achieved his undergraduate degree in cello performance from Drake University in Des Moines, IA in 2018. In 2021, he graduated with a MM in cello performance from Penn State, studying with Kim Cook, and in 2022 he completed a MM in music theory, also from Penn State. He served on the music faculty at Juniata College in Huntington, PA 2021-2023, and is currently pursuing his DMA at UConn studying with Sophie Shao. Over the past few years Mr. Webber has played in the cello sections for the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra, the Lacrosse Symphony Orchestra, the Williamsport Symphony Orchestra, the Altoona Symphony Orchestra, The Pennsylvania Chamber Orchestra, and the Penn’s Woods Music Festival Orchestra.

Jaymes grew up in Marquette, MI where she attended Northern Michigan University and received her Bachelor's of Music Education. She now lives in Ottumwa, IA where she teaches K-5 elementary general music as well as directs the local youth full orchestra. She grew up around many campers who LOVED their experience at SSA, but Jaymes didn't make her camp debut until 2022 as a counselor and teacher. Safe to say, she completely fell in love with it! She came back again as a counselor and teacher for 2023 and 2024, and though she couldn't be there for 2025, SSA is certainly another home for her and she is ecstatic to be back in the SSA scene!

Born and raised in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Ben Campbell is a violinist, teacher, and composer whose work spans Wisconsin and Northern Michigan. As a teacher, Ben believes in adapting to the unique goals and interests of every student, and providing a nurturing environment where students grow with their instruments alongside using music to express themselves.

Ben holds a master's degree in violin performance at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he served as a Graduate Teaching Assistant as well as a violinist in the Rabin String Quartet. He also holds a bachelor's degree in violin and a minor in music theory from the Lawrence University Conservatory of Music, in Appleton WI. Ben can be found performing with the Marquette Symphony Orchestra and Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra in Michigan, the Fox Valley Symphony in Wisconsin, Philharmonie Austin in Texas, and the Superior String Alliance Chamber Players. He has worked as a teacher of violin, viola, and chamber music at Superior String Alliance summer camps for five years.

Jamie was a long time camper at SSA before returning as a counselor in 2023. While not at camp, she is working towards an undergraduate degree in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Michigan with a minor in Music. She currently plays viola in the Michigan Pops Orchestra, but has also been involved in the Michigan Campus Orchestras and the Michigan Women’s Glee Club in the past. She enjoys being able to return to camp every summer to defeat everyone in 9-square and flex her tie-dyeing and bracelet making skills.

Originally from Iowa, Mallory has been playing viola and violin for almost 20 years and teaching for the last 5. She will graduate with her Master’s in Viola Performance from DePaul University in the spring. A passionate teacher and performer, she has had the pleasure of guiding students of all ages and skill levels. Currently, Mallory is a Teaching Artist at Kenwood Academy and Spry Elementary and Middle School in Chicago. She is very excited to join SSA for her first year!

Mr. Aguado grew up in East Lansing MI. He started playing cello in 5th grade originally, but by the time he was in high school he started playing the Double Bass, Electric Bass, Guitar, Concert Percussion, and Drumline. Since high school, his passion for music led him to acquire his Bacholer's Degree in Music Education through Western Michigan University in 2024. Just this past year he has finished his first year teaching as the Director of Orchestra's at the Escanaba Public Schools teaching grades 6-12.

Outside of his passion for teaching, Mr. Aguado loves to perform for all different types of music groups. He has performed in several different type of ensembles such as orchestras, wind bands, rock bands, and is passionate about playing in musical theater pit orchestras. He is currently playing with the Player's De Noc musical productions, Escanaba City Band, and the Marquette Symphony Orchestra. He is very excited to play and to work with the Superior String Alliance Family this summer.

James Uchytil grew up in Marquette, MI and started playing the violin in kindergarten. He is currently a second-year student at Lawrence University pursuing dual-degrees in Biochemistry and Violin Performance. He has previously studied under Eric Marta, Karles McQuade, and Connie Weiner and is currently working with Professor Wen-Lei Gu. Over the years he has played with the Santa Fe Youth Symphony, the Upper Peninsula Youth Symphony Orchestra, the Marquette Symphony Orchestra, and the Lawrence Symphony Orchestra. He attended SSA camp every year from fourth grade through high school and is pumped to be back as a counselor!

My name is H. Coakley (they/them) and I am a Queer, non-binary RDN (Registered Dietitian Nutritionist) with extensive experience in individual counseling, as well as specialized expertise in treatment of clients recovering from eating disorders.

I graduated from New York University with a BA in Urban Studies & Nutrition. I then received my Master's of Science in Public Health Nutrition from Johns Hopkins University & completed my dietetic internship within the VA Hospital System in Memphis, TN

Other formative experiences include: my time as a Food Justice Program Coordinator in NYC, as a resident of Upaya Zen Center in Sante Fe, NM, as the Farm Manager of small vegetable farm in Colorado & as the Outpatient Nutrition Director of a trauma-informed ED treatment center in Memphis, TN.

I specialize in: recovery from eating disorders and/or disordered eating (from a trauma-informed, body affirming & intersectional framework). I am available for sessions in the NYC area & nationally via Zoom.

I am also able to address a wide array of nutritionally focused medical conditions including: diabetes, PCOS, IBS, Crohn's/Colitis, celiac disease, liver dysfunction, pre/post natal nutrition, as well as several other autoimmune conditions.

**I acknowledge my current residence on the ancestral lands of the Schaghticoke, Mohican, and Wappinger-Lenape peoples & offer my deepest respect. A portion of my income is donated to Native Women's Wilderness​ and the NDN Collective**