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.
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Click the badge above to learn more about the rigorous process of becoming a board certified music therapist.
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.
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
Catherine Backus, MT-BC
B.MUS / MT-BC
Board Certified Music Therapist
Neurologic Music Therapist
Hospice and Palliative Care Specialist
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 has expertise in end of life care and is a Certified Hospice Music Therapist.
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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.
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.
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
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
