She received her Bachelor’s in Vocal Performance from James Madison University, a Masters in Opera from Binghamton University and a Doctorate in Voice Performance and Pedagogy at the University of Colorado, Boulder. She is an active performer with Central City Opera’s Outreach Ensemble, and has been a featured soloist in many Colorado vocal ensembles. Dr. Hackel’s award winning a cappella groups, MIX and Lark have traveled across the United States and Europe competing and performing. Both groups have been BOSS and SoJam champions, recipients of multiple performance awards, and have won multiple Contemporary A cappella Recording Awards (CARAs). MIX and Lark have been praised for their innovation and professionalism and have been singled out for their boundary changing work in collegiate a cappella.