About Us
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. 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 encouraged and empowered families continues to fuel my passion!
~ Noel Anderson MMT, MT-BC, Founder & Director of Anderson Music Therapy
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.
Our Guiding Principles
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Dependable: We are honest and transparent. Our clients can trust we will be there for them.
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Genuine: We authentically care for our clients and meet them where they are without judgment.
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Creative: We are driven to find resourceful interventions and adaptive solutions to give our clients choices in the way they grow.
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Connected: We seek ways to engage and support our community through creative arts therapies.
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Click the badge above to learn more about the rigorous process of becoming a board certified music therapist.
Meet our Dedicated Music & Art Therapists
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.
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).
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.
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!
Meet our Amazing Staff
Terri
Bookkeeping
Terri 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.
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!
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