2024 Student Life Staff

LSM’s Student Life staff support students through their LSM experience by acting as role models, leaders, mentors, advocates, chaperones and residence assistants. Our Health Assistants care for the entire LSM student body by addressing health concerns and needs through the month. Simply put: this team of thoughtful and caring individuals will keep an eye out and help your students have an incredible experience! Our Student Life staff are led by our Student Life Director, Student Residence Director, and Health Director.

Seth Carlson

Student Life Director

Seth M. Carlson is excited to return for his second year at LSM as the Student Life Director. He is currently the Director of Bands at Westminster Christian School in Palmetto Bay, Florida. He is also the founder and conductor of The Miami Sousa Band. Originally from Rockford, Illinois, Seth graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in music and chemistry from Valparaiso University and earned a Master of Music degree in music education from the University of Miami Frost School of Music. Currently, he is a doctoral candidate in music education at Boston University.

In addition to teaching, Seth serves as the Organist and Director of Music Outreach at First United Methodist Church of Coral Gables in Coral Gables, Florida. His professional affiliations include the Florida Music Educators Association, Florida Bandmasters Association, National Association for Music Education, and the American Guild of Organists.

Chelsea Hook

Student Residence Director

Chelsea Hook (Yamin) is excited to return to LSM for her second summer as Student Residence Director. She previously served as a Residence Counselor in 2019 and 2021.

Chelsea graduated from Concordia University - Chicago with a Music Education degree. She previously taught in Houston, Texas, as a Fine Arts and Band Teacher Lutheran North Academy, and at four different Lutheran middle schools. This summer, she’s embarking on a cross-country move to begin a new position as a band teacher at Trinity Lutheran School in Janesville, MN. In addition to her teaching, Chelsea is an accomplished percussionist.

She is looking forward to meeting new students, seeing the returning ones, and creating new memories with the LSM community!  (Although she will be missing her husband and two cats.)

Cheryl Slack (DNP, RN, CNE)

Health Director

Cheryl is excited for her second year at LSM, to work with the fabulous faculty and staff, and the very talented students.

As a Clinical Assistant Professor Emeritus, Cheryl has been part of the College of Nursing and Health Professions at Valparaiso University for almost 20 years, and has been a Certified Nurse Educator by the National League for Nursing for 18 years. Cheryl earned her BSN from Valpo, MS in Parent-Child Health Nursing from Rush University in Chicago, and her Doctor of Nursing Practice from VU. Her nursing career started at Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago (now known as Lurie Children’s) in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. She became a clinical nurse specialist and nurse educator at LaRabida Children’s Hospital in Chicago serving children with chronic illnesses and special needs. Her pediatric career expanded in both home care and a local PICU. Then the opportunities changed to adult care through the Visiting Nurse Association and Franciscan Health ER in Dyer, IN. She loved serving as an Asthma Camp Nurse for three summers for the American Lung Association camp in Lake Geneva, IL.  In her career at VU, she has guided clinical student groups through their obstetric, pediatric, critical care, community/public health and practicum experiences at multiple clinical locations in Chicago and Indiana. Cheryl collaborated with five different community school corporations in NWI and rotated her students through the elementary and high schools paired with the school nurses.

As a Lutheran and a musician, Cheryl grew up in the Missouri Synod with strong examples from her parents and grandparents. Her grandfather was a church organist and Lutheran school principal. Cheryl took piano and organ lessons growing up, and she accompanied and sang in the Schaumburg High School choir in Illinois. A memorable VU experience was playing the Chapel organ during the weekly Friday organ practicum group. 

Cheryl currently serves the community by volunteering as a driver for Meals on Wheels and volunteers as an Adult Group facilitator for the VNANWI Phoenix Center (serving children who grieve a loss). She has served as a Stephen Minister for seven years through her ELCA church at Christ Lutheran Church in Valparaiso. Her hobbies include gardening, cooking, attending music and theatre events, games, cards, puzzles with friends.

Isabel Izquierdo

Student Life Assistant

  • Musical background: I was a part of a choir since I was 8 years old and then joined my high school's Jazz Ensemble as their vocalist my junior year! I am currently majoring in Jazz Vocal Performance as a music student, so my main instrument is of course voice, but I also play the piano a bit. 

  • Nicknames: Izzy

  • Hometown: Miami, FL

  • Favorite snack: My favorite snack has to be Twizzlers and my favorite drink is Diet Dr. Pepper.

  • Pets: I don't currently have any pets but when I was younger I had a beta fish named Moon!

  • Favorite way to make music: I love a good jam session. There's something really fun about getting together with a group of musicians, calling a tune and just letting what happens happen. It is very freeing and great way to bond with other musicians!

  • Hobbies: I enjoy reading a lot!! I have always loved a good story that can help me relax and find joy. My favorite book is "Anne of Green Gables" 

  • What are you looking forward to at LSM this summer? I am so excited to get to know all of the many talented musicians at LSM! I can't wait to see everyone grow musically.

Sophie Grube

Health Assistant

  • Musical background: I played clarinet for 5 years throughout middle school and high school. I did concert band, jazz band, and pep band as well as competed in Solo & Ensemble. 

  • Nicknames: Soph : ) 

  • Hometown: West Lafayette, IN (Home of the Purdue Boilermakers)  

  • Favorite snack: Ants on a log 

  • Pets: 2 cats (Max & Ruby) 

  • Hobbies: Tennis, arts and crafts, hiking, kayaking, reading, yoga, spending time with friends, volunteering/community service  

  • Fun facts: I know how to make origami paper cranes. I am left-handed. I have submechanophobia (fear of man-made or mechanical objects underwater).  

  • What are you looking forward to at LSM this summer? I am looking forward to getting to know the campers and watching them perform and grow in their music skills!

Veronica Lin

Health Assistant

  • Musical background: I was classically trained in piano for 13 years and in saxophone for 8.

  • Nicknames: Vee.

  • Hometown: Valparaiso, Indiana!

  • Favorite snack: Currently, my favorite snack is nerd gummy clusters but I also love Lays lightly salted chips.

  • Favorite way to make music: These days I like to play from the hymnal when I have time!

  • Hobbies: I love to read and cook and do little hobbies like needle felting.

  • Fun facts: My niche topic is perfume! I love to collect and sniff and learn all about different smells! And I love helping friends find smells they love.

  • What are you looking forward to at LSM this summer? I'm super excited to meet all these kids who love music and playing their instruments deeply!

Logan Albright

Residence Counselor

  • Musical background: I started music in the 8th grade with choir and piano. In college I played in band as well. I play clarinet, organ, piano, handbells, bass recorder, and I sing. At VU I have been in Chorale, a chamber choir, handbell choir, a band, new music ensemble and recorder ensemble.

  • Hometown: Valparaiso, Indiana

  • Favorite snack: Goldfish or Cheez-Its

  • Pets: No, I have had cats in the past and a lot of my family has dogs.

  • Favorite way to make music: I love making music in ensemble settings and to get outside of my comfort zone with music.

  • Hobbies: I love to read books, play video games and crochet.

  • Fun facts: I am a fraternal twin and both of us went to the same college so people would be shocked when they found out we were related.

  • What are you looking forward to at LSM this summer? I am really excited to be back at LSM and see what is different. This is my third year in a row at LSM and each year has been unique so I am really looking forward to enjoying the small things.

Jeremy Black

Residence Counselor

  • Musical background: I started with guitar in 2nd grade and took lessons into high school. I started on trombone in 6th grade and have since primarily focused on trombone. I participated in all the ensembles In high school and marched with Carolina Crown on baritone the summer before my senior year. I now am a music education major at Oklahoma State University.

  • Nicknames: Gherm

  • Hometown: Edmond, OK

  • Favorite snack: salt water taffy

  • Favorite way to make music: My favorite way to experience music is just like this! Camps where I'm surrounded by people who want to put in the effort and make great music.

  • Hobbies: In my free time I like to run, bike, play disc golf, and play video games.

  • Fun facts: I just raced my first marathon and hope to run many more.

  • What are you looking forward to at LSM this summer? I love camps like this because in my experience I always grow the most and fall in love with the music while I'm surrounded by like minded people.

Ella Crader

Residence Counselor

  • Musical background: What’s your musical background, and what instrument(s) I recently graduated with a degree in vocal music education, and I play saxophone.

  • Hometown: Sikeston, Missouri

  • Favorite snack: Popcorn!

  • Pets: My parents have two cats, Pip and Maya, and I am a co-parent to a goldfish named Molly.

  • Favorite way to make music: I enjoy any opportunity I get to sing with others!

  • Hobbies: I like to read and play piano for fun.

  • What are you looking forward to at LSM this summer? I am so excited to make lasting memories and new friends at LSM as we share in community, faith, and music.

Jonah Dennis

Residence Counselor

  • Musical background: My main instrument is the French horn, which I have been playing since the end of 7th grade. I actually used to take lessons with Dr. Bruce Atwell (who you may recognize as the horn teacher here at LSM!) before he retired from UW-Oshkosh. Horn is my passion, but as an Instrumental Music Education Major, I have taught myself to play many different instruments over the years. I have always played piano, and I have taken secondary trumpet, but the most surprising instrument that I never would have thought I would get to perform on are the quad tenor drums! I am now the tenor drum section leader in the Titan Thunder Marching Band at UWO, and I am so glad to be a part of the drumline there. 

  • Hometown:  I grew up in Mount Horeb, Wisconsin, where we pride ourselves on being the “Troll Capital of the World.” 

  • Favorite snack: My favorite snack is a nice, crisp, sweet apple. Those are the best!

  • Pets: My family has had a lot of pets (and different species of pet) over the years. Currently, we have 5 cats and 14 chickens, but we have had dogs, fish, a snake, hermit crabs, a walking stick, rabbits, and ducks (not all at the same time).

  • Favorite way to make music: My favorite way to make music is in chamber ensembles, where the music is challenging and soloistic but you still get the interaction with other musicians.

  • Hobbies: I enjoy fishing, playing board games, composing music, baking/cooking/grilling, studying war history/reading autobiographies, collecting coins and bottle caps, and drinking a good cup of tea.

  • Fun facts: Ich habe seit Gymnasium Deutsch studierst - I’ll leave it up to you to Google Translate that.

  • What are you looking forward to at LSM this summer? I am looking forward to my second summer at LSM as a counselor because the community was fabulous, and the staff were fantastic! I am hoping to step into more of a leadership resource role, as the returning counselors last year really helped me onto my feet, and I want to do the same for new counselors this year.

Lorelei Heath

Residence Counselor

  • Musical background: I play the trumpet but I mostly sing in choirs! I have been singing since 1st grade and am classically trained. 

  • Nicknames: Nope! You can call me Lorelei :)

  • Hometown: Bronxville, NY

  • Favorite snack: I love apples and peanut butter!

  • Pets: I have a black cat named Winston! 

  • Favorite way to make music: I love singing in small groups and choirs, my favorite part is creating a beautiful sound together :)

  • Hobbies: I love to read and write, I also like to spend my time in nature 🌳 

  • What are you looking forward to at LSM this summer?  I love LSM’s community, it’s so welcoming! I love that we can learn and experience fun new things as counselors and the students as well :)

Elijah Hoven

Residence Counselor

  • Musical background: I am a Trombone Performance Major at Stetson university.

  • Hometown: I was born in St. Louis and currently live in Orlando.

  • Favorite snack: My favorite snack is apples with peanut butter.

  • Pets: I have a dog named Olive.

  • Favorite way to make music: My favorite music to listen to and perform is symphonic orchestra music.

  • Hobbies: In my free time I enjoy cooking while listening to classical music.

  • What are you looking forward to at LSM this summer? I'm excited to make music with the students so that we can all grow together as musicians.

Brianna Irvine

Residence Counselor

  • Musical background: Growing up, I was a Soprano in a family of vocalists. I started playing the guitar at seven then the flute around the same time. Today I still play both instruments and sing with my family.

  • Nicknames: My friends and family call me Bri. My students call me Ms. I! :)

  • Hometown: Whiting, IN.

  • Favorite snack: I LOVE blueberries. I will eat a whole container in one day. 

  • Pets: My family has three cats. From oldest to youngest their names are Lenny, Mittens, and Tigger. 

  • Favorite way to make music: I love experiencing music in ensembles and a classroom. It is amazing the connections you can develop through music. 

  • Hobbies: If I have free time, I watch the TV series Friends. I also find the time to hang out with some of my friends (haha!) and go to a cafe here in Valpo. 

  • Fun facts: My Bachelor's degree (from Valparaiso University) is in music, but also in Biology! I love the outdoors and love seeing new plants and insects. 

  • What are you looking forward to at LSM this summer? I am so excited to meet new faces and make some music. Valpo is where I found my calling. I'd love to pass the torch! 

Ana Lasker

Residence Counselor, LSM Alum (2019, 2022)

  • Musical background: I started playing violin in my school’s string orchestra when I was in 5th grade, and I’ve been playing classical violin, old-time, and bluegrass fiddle ever since. I’ve learned lots of other instruments as a music education major, but my favorites from school are guitar, voice, and clarinet!

  • Nicknames: My mom will call me Catacuaz, kitty, or cata. Sometimes, my aunts will call me Ana Banana. 

  • Hometown: Morgantown, West Virginia

  • Favorite snack: I love dark chocolate covered pretzels or sweet tart ropes!

  • Pets: I have a Siamese cat named Kyra, and my family has a dog named Obi Wan Kenobi. 

  • Favorite way to make music: I love playing in old-time jams, learning new tunes on my own, listening to music on long drives, and playing with my school’s symphony orchestra!

  • Hobbies: I’ve always enjoyed the outdoors, so I spend lots of time hiking, climbing, kayaking, and camping. When I’m not outside, I also like to go to the gym or spend time with my younger brother. 

  • Fun facts: I started school as a biology major, wanting to go into medicine, but the only time I had for music was symphony orchestra, so I switched to music education. Switching over was intimidating at first, but I love my classes and the friends I’ve made in music school!

  • What are you looking forward to at LSM this summer? I’m looking forward to meeting new people and watching faculty recitals!

Janelle (Sarah) Nedrow

Residence Counselor, LSM Alum (2016-2019)

  • Musical background: I’ve played piano for 11 years and I’ve been singing in choirs for 13 years.

  • Nicknames: All my friends call me Janelle or Jan.

  • Hometown: Olympia, WA

  • Favorite snack: Definitely, Welch’s Fruit Snacks.

  • Pets: I have two rats named Basil and Beetle.

  • Favorite way to make music: I love singing in choir or being in a dance number.

  • Hobbies: I love dancing, choreographing, skiing, acting and lifting weights.

  • Fun facts: I drive a 2000 Nissan Frontier truck named Flora!

  • What are you looking forward to at LSM this summer? I am so excited to meet all of the talented students.

Holly Simpson

Residence Counselor

  • Musical background: I have been singing in choirs, leading in worship bands, and performed in musicals my entire life. I am a soprano singer, but I also have experience playing piano, guitar, ukulele, flute, and I have even played drums in a rock band. I am currently studying music education at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.

  • Nicknames: My dad calls me Holly Bear.

  • Hometown: I am from Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

  • Favorite snack: White Cheddar Popcorn 

  • Pets: I am allergic to animals with fur, but I do have a blue beta fish named Flint Lockwood. 

  • Favorite way to make music: I love performing in or directing and choreographing musicals. In fact, I have been in or a part of over 100 musicals and plays. 

  • Hobbies: I love cooking and spending time with my family. 

  • Fun facts: I am currently working on my second collaborative research grant titled "Exploration of Religious Themes in Musical Theater Repertoire". 

  • What are you looking forward to at LSM this summer? I am so excited to be a part of this amazing community, and see all the inspiring things that these students can do in so little time!

Jacob Starker

Residence Counselor

  • Musical background: I’ve been involved with music in school since fifth grade band. I began on saxophone, but learned the scottish bagpipes early in high school and switched from saxophone to bassoon in late high school.

  • Nicknames: I’m not a big nickname person, so everyone just calls me Jacob or Starker. 

  • Hometown: My hometown is the tourist capital of the south, Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

  • Favorite snack: My favorite snack (at the moment) is cornbread!

  • Pets: I have three beautiful cats, two black and one orange! All three have vibrantly different personalities.

  • Favorite way to make music: If I had to say a favorite, it would be making music with others.

  • Hobbies: I spend quite a bit of my own time cooking (for fun), playing Old School Runescape, playing with my cats, and reading.

  • Fun facts: For some interesting facts: I can (kind of) play the duduk, my grades in college are better than in high school, I am the first professional musician in my family (except for a revolutionary war fifer), I have visited Beethoven’s, Mozart’s, Brahms’, and a few other famous composers’ graves/memorials, and I am a college marching band drum major.

  • What are you looking forward to at LSM this summer? I am looking forward to meeting and working with all of the students. I enjoy creating stimulating and enjoyable environments where everyone can learn and grow, so this opportunity is exciting for me.

Isabella Trevino

Residence Counselor, LSM Alum (2019)

  • Musical background: I have been playing the flute since I was in 6th grade! Since then I've played in various bands, orchestras, and mixed ensembles. I also know how to play some piano, guitar, and more!

  • Hometown: McKinney, TX 

  • Favorite snack: Extra cheddar goldfish or chips and queso. 

  • Pets: I have one dog named Mr. Darcy, and a shared apartment cat named Nancy at college!

  • Favorite way to make music: I love playing in ensembles and making music with a shared goal in mind. It really always moves me playing and hearing a large ensemble, really experiencing all the emotions through music. 

  • Hobbies: I love reading in my free time, it's my favorite pastime! I also love doing puzzles and watching movies. 

  • Fun facts: I am a first-generation American!

  • What are you looking forward to at LSM this summer? I adore the community LSM is and how quickly it feels like home. It's always such a fun summer with wonderful people sharing music together.