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.

​

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!  

Kristin Wright

B. MUS. / MT-BC

​

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. 

Along with working at AMTS, Kristin works as a therapeutic day treatment clinician in the Danville public school system. During this time, she addresses 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 them 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 4 day road trip to drive the entire Blue Ridge Parkway, camping along the way!

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. 

​

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!