Our Mission

Noel Anderson

B. MUS. / B.A. / MMT / MT-BC

Director/ Founder

Noel Anderson, MMT, MT-BC, began singing do-wop songs and songwriting before she could read or write legibly. At the age of ten she began singing publicly, and hasn’t stopped performing since. While her main instrument is voice, she also plays the guitar, piano, and flute. Noel received a bachelor's degree in music therapy from Immaculata University after completing her clinical internship at Kardon Institute for Arts Therapy in Philadelphia. She earned a Master of Music Therapy degree at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. She continued her education by obtaining certification in Neurologic Music Therapy at Colorado State University. Along with her music therapy certification she holds a certification for music education.

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Noel has been a music therapist for over a decade. Before founding Anderson Music Therapy, she established and developed a school-based music therapy program for children through adults with multiple disabilities. During this time she loved working closely alongside speech, occupational, and physical therapists as well as teachers and paraprofessionals (she misses them a TON).

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Fun Fact about Noel: Her passion for music therapy has been shared globally, as she has used music therapy in both Africa and India.

Cassie Smith

B. MUS. / MT-BC 

Cassie has been singing ever since she can remember. Growing up she sang in both church and school choirs. She started taking voice lessons in 8th grade and continued until she graduated high school. When she was a senior in high school her voice teacher suggested she look into music therapy. Cassie went on to complete a Bachelors of Music in Music Therapy at Ohio University, where she was a voice student and also studied guitar and piano. She completed her internship at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Salem, VA. Cassie was fortunate enough to have the help of her internship director when she began looking to start her career. After searching for three months, she was hired at Anderson Music Therapy Services.

Cassie currently works with a wide range of ages from young children to older adults with a variety of diagnoses from autism to dementia. 

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Fun Fact about Cassie: Once on a family vacation in Nashville, she toured the Grand Ole Opry and was able to sing in the circle on stage!

Catherine Backus

B. MUS. / MT-BC 

Catherine Backus, MT-BC has been singing since before she could talk. She began writing songs on guitar at the age of twelve and now plays a variety of instruments, including trumpet, piano, banjo, and mandolin. Catherine graduated from the University of Georgia and completed her Music Therapy internship with Four Seasons Hospice in Flat Rock, NC. She spent her early career working with older adults and persons with intellectual and developmental disability in the Adult Day setting, before fate and a desire to get back to her Music Therapy roots brought her to Anderson Music Therapy Services. 

While her musical preferences most closely align with the elderly (who doesn't love a good jazz standard!), Catherine loves making music with people across the age spectrum.

Fun fact about Catherine: She's a native East Tennesseean who loves Pat Summitt and Dolly Parton with all her heart!  

Kristin Wright

B. MUS. / MT-BC

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Kristin's interest in music began early in life. As a toddler, she was always singing and dancing around the house. Kristin began taking piano lessons from her grandmother when she was in 2nd grade and continued through high school. During that time, she had the chance to join the band, where she played the flute, and sang in the school choir. By the time Kristin was in college, she was singing and playing the flute, piano, and guitar. 

Before working at AMTS Kristin worked as a therapeutic day treatment clinician in the Danville public school system. During this time, she addressed emotional, behavioral, and social goals in addition to various mental health needs in middle and high school students.

After realizing her desire to see music therapy services in Danville and surrounding areas, Kristin began looking to see what music therapy providers already existed in southern Virginia. She was excited to find Anderson Music Therapy and reached out to us about bringing services to the Danville area. 

Kristin attended Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina where she received her Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy with a minor in Psychology. She went on to complete her internship at J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center in Morganton, North Carolina, working with adults with moderate to severe intellectual disabilities in a residential setting. After finishing her internship, Kristin moved to Danville, Virginia where she currently resides.

Fun Fact about Kristin: Kristin took at four day road trip to drive the entire Blue Ridge Parkway, camping along the way!

Hannah Phillips Hale

B.A. / M.A. / LPC / ATR​

When Hannah was young, a family friend asked what she wanted to be when she grew up,  she responded "the servant of the world".  As Hannah moved through adolescence and into adulthood, she discovered how powerful art and other creative, expressive outlets could be, both for serving oneself and serving others.  Hannah now offers her heart and mind to others with a focus on the process of art, instead of the product. 

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During Hannah's undergraduate studies at Hollins University, she explored the relationship between studio arts and psychology. She then lived abroad in Ireland for a semester and saw a different perspective on how Art Therapy can function in the world. Hannah then worked for 6 years as a Mental Health Case Manager (QMHP-C) at Child Health Investment Partnership (CHIP) of Roanoke Valley, after graduating from Hollins. This occurred in conjunction with her part-time work as an independent contractor, where she used creative and expressive art techniques (art, music, drama, and dance/movement) to teach and empower adults with developmental delays. She went to The George Washington University, where she completed her Masters of Arts Degree in Art Therapy.  During her internship she gained experience with individuals across the lifespan.

After returning to Roanoke, Hannah provided Intensive In-Home Counseling and Mental Health Support Services to clients, and became a Supervisor of the Therapeutic Day Treatment services program, while still working directly with clients.  Being called back to CHIP in Spring 2017, she took on the role of Director of Program Services, overseeing the services provided to clients through the non-profit agency's comprehensive home visiting program.  During this time, Hannah has also worked with clients in CHIP's counseling center.  

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Hannah is in the process of obtaining her Infant Mental Health certification, while also working toward Board Certification as an Art Therapist. As a current Registered Art Therapist (ATR) and a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) within the state of Virginia, she is excited to expand her practice in order to offer creative and expressive therapies to others, through Anderson Music Therapy.

By continuing to serve her community, Hannah feels that her life is enriched and hopes to assist others in enriching their own lives. 

Fun Fact about Hannah: Hannah is inspired by the outdoors and loves to hike, climb, camp, kayak, and basically spend as much time as possible amongst the trees, rocks, mountains and rivers!  She also loves snuggling with animals and cooking/creating in the kitchen!  These are a few of her favorite things... 

Meet our Amazing Staff

Terri Flud

Bookkeeping 

Terri Flud has worked in the service industry for a number of decades. Along with her husband, she served her community through her own printing and graphic design business for many years. Currently she assists AMTS with various bookkeeping and financial needs. 

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While she would say she doesn't play an instrument (aside from the radio), she took guitar lessons for several years and was an incredibly dedicated student and quick learner.

Fun fact about Terri: As a child you could always find her up a tree or standing on her head. She no longer climbs trees, but at the age of 60 she can still do head stands!