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!  

Lillian Gray
B.A. / MA. / LPC-R / MT-BC (Expected September 2021) / NMT

Lillian Gray is a licensed professional counselor-resident. She received her Bachelor of Arts from Bluefield College in applied music, while minoring in psychology. She received her Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, with a specialization in music therapy, from Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Lillian completed her internship in Massachusetts at an educational collaborative, working with children and adolescents with various disabilities. During her internship she independently develop a successful music therapy program within the school. She treated many individual clients with music therapy and talk therapy.

Some of Lillian’s experience includes working with clients that are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), mood disorders such as intermittent explosive disorder (IED) and disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In addition to individual sessions, Lillian has experience leading music therapy groups and co-leading groups with other mental health professionals. Lillian has been an active member of the interdisciplinary team; collaborating with speech language pathologist, occupational therapist, physical therapist, and mental health therapists.

Lillian’s work is trauma-informed and strength-based. She is certified in neurologic music therapy (NMT) techniques. NMT focuses on how music affects the “non-musical” parts of the brain to improve cognition, communication, and sensorimotor skills. Additionally, Lillian uses vocal psychotherapy techniques to support clients’ personal growth. She has particular interest and knowledge in supporting children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who have a history or current trauma experience.

Fun fact about Lillian: She knew from age eight, that music therapy was her calling; she just didn’t know what it was called at that time. During her undergraduate studies of music and psychology, through research, prayer, and curiosity she learned what her passion and this profession were called. During her sophomore year, she found Anderson Music Therapy and Noel Anderson gave her the opportunity to experience music therapy while shadowing Cassie. Now they're co-workers!

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. 

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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!