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Music therapy team playing guitar, drum, and ukulele.

About Us

Our Mission

We know many people run into barriers that prevent them from having the quality of life (emotional, physical, and social well-being) they really want.

At Anderson Music Therapy Service we use evidence-based music therapy to empower our clients to overcome those barriers and be their best selves at home and in the community.

Strumming Taylor acoustic guitar.
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Click the badge above to learn more about the rigorous process of becoming a board certified music therapist.

Close up of Founder and Director of Anderson Music Therapy Services, Noel Anderson

Noel Anderson, MMT, MT-BC

B.MUS / B.A. / MMT / MT-BC

Founder & Director, Board Certified Music Therapist

Neurologic Music Therapy Trained

Trauma Certified Professional

Certified Teacher of Music

Noel Anderson is the founder of Anderson Music Therapy Services and has been a board certified music therapist for over 16 years. She is a neurologic music therapist and certified trauma professional. She 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. 

Close up of Cassie Smith

Cassie Smith, MT-BC

B.MUS / MT-BC

Board Certified Music Therapist

Neurologic Music Therapist

Early Intervention Practitioner

Cassie has been a board certified music therapist for over eight years. She has a Bachelors's degree in Music and Music Therapy from Ohio University. Cassie teaches voice lessons, piano, and guitar, as she majored in vocal studies and minored in guitar and piano during her music therapy course work. She completed her internship at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Salem, VA and is Certified a Neurologic Music Therapist. Cassie enjoys support children of all ages, and uses her certification as an Early Intervention Professional to support our youngest clients. She has been with AMTS since 2016. 

Our Music Therapy Team

Close up of Catherine Backus

Catherine Backus, MT-BC

B.MUS / MT-BC

Board Certified Music Therapist

Neurologic Music Therapist

Catherine Backus has been a board certified music therapist for over eight years. While also an award winning songwriter, she uses her skills to support her clients with their own music making and songwriting. She earned a Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy at 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 disabilities in the Adult Day setting. Catherine is a trained Neurologic Music Therapist through the the Academy of Neurologic Music Therapy. She currently serves many of our older clients, long-term care facilities, and clients who need end of life care.  She has been with AMTS since 2017.

Catherine is currently pursuing certification as a Certified Hospice Music Therapist and expected to complete training this year.

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Megan Oglesby, MT-BC, RBT

B.MUS / MT-BC 

Board Certified Music Therapist

Registered Behavioral Therapist

Megan graduated from Illinois State University with a Bachelors in Music Therapy, as well as a minor in Psychology. She has experience in various instruments such as guitar and piano, but still considers the french horn her main instrument. Megan moved from Chicago, Illinois to Roanoke, Virginia in 2022 for her internship at the Salem Veterans Affairs Medical Center. She has experience working with a plethora of needs, including Intellectual disabilities, developmental disabilities, hospice, PTSD, long-term care, mental health, nursing homes, and various diagnoses in school environments. Megan’s passion lies in Music Therapy and helping support others to achieve their highest potential, as well as understanding the importance of the mind and body connection. 

Forest Trees

Chanté Smith

Administrative Assistant

Bachelor of Science, Psychology
Master of Science, Nonprofit Management
Bachelor of Business Administration

With a strong background in nonprofit management and psychology, Chanté brings a wealth of experience to her role as an Administrative Assistant at Anderson Music Therapy Services.

Her academic includes a Bachelor of Business Administration from Roanoke College, a Master of Science in Nonprofit Management
from Walden University, and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Old Dominion
University.

Close up of Kyler Jackson

Kyler Jackson

B. MUS

Music Specialist

Neurologic Music Therapy-Trained

Kyler is a music therapy graduate with advanced training in neurologic music therapy from the Academy of Neurologic Music Therapy. She received her Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy at Radford University, while minoring in Psychology. She completed her Music Therapy internship at Prisma Health in Columbia, SC where she worked with behavioral care, medical, and NICU patients.

  Our Guiding Principles  

Music therapist playing guitar and singing to young client and mom

A Note from the director:

 

When I moved to Roanoke in 2011 I quickly noticed the challenge families had in getting services for their children. I created Anderson Music Therapy to fill that need and be a resource in helping families find the support they need within this community.

Serving people with diverse needs, birth through older adult, is my passion. And for me, part of serving those individuals is also supporting their families. We exist to be a community and support system for families in SW Virginia.

Seeing our empowered and hopeful families continues to fuel my passion!

Noel Anderson

Founder & Director of Anderson Music Therapy

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