2021 AMTAS Executive Board
President, Naomi Davis
Contact: presidentelect.amtas@gmail.com
Region: Midwest Region
School and Year: New professional at Annapolis Music Therapy! Class of 2020 at Colorado State University
Primary Instrument: Bassoon
Why I want to become a music therapist: Music therapy combines my love for music with my drive to help others. I'm fascinated by the multitude of ways that music engages the brain. Every day that I get to learn more about how music can be a tool to rehabilitate and support development, I become more and more excited about where this field will take me.
Why I became an AMTA member: I became a member of AMTA because I believe that being a member of the professional music therapy organization is extremely important. Being a member of AMTA allows students to be a part of the important work of advocating for professional recognition of our field. I also believe that connecting and networking with students and professionals in the field are crucial part of my own professional development and AMTA provides amazing opportunities for that! Special perks like conference discounts and access to music therapy publications are also great resources that AMTA provides that I love utilizing!
Fun Fact: I once played a concert in the middle of the ocean(on a boat) and it was one of the most amazing music making experiences that I've had to date
Region: Midwest Region
School and Year: New professional at Annapolis Music Therapy! Class of 2020 at Colorado State University
Primary Instrument: Bassoon
Why I want to become a music therapist: Music therapy combines my love for music with my drive to help others. I'm fascinated by the multitude of ways that music engages the brain. Every day that I get to learn more about how music can be a tool to rehabilitate and support development, I become more and more excited about where this field will take me.
Why I became an AMTA member: I became a member of AMTA because I believe that being a member of the professional music therapy organization is extremely important. Being a member of AMTA allows students to be a part of the important work of advocating for professional recognition of our field. I also believe that connecting and networking with students and professionals in the field are crucial part of my own professional development and AMTA provides amazing opportunities for that! Special perks like conference discounts and access to music therapy publications are also great resources that AMTA provides that I love utilizing!
Fun Fact: I once played a concert in the middle of the ocean(on a boat) and it was one of the most amazing music making experiences that I've had to date
President-Elect, Jakob Moberly
Contact: presidentelect.amtas@gmail.com
Region: Midwest Region
School and Year: University of Kansas, Junior
Primary Instrument: Percussion
Why I want to become a music therapist: I want to be a music therapist to provide opportunities for personal and functional growth, with the power of music to be used as a tool and facilitator to guide their journey. Music has been an important part in my life, and whether or not an individual knows how important music is in their lives, I want to harness the power that music can bring for others.
Why I became an AMTAS member: I became a member of AMTAS to work, serve, and highlight the diverse experiences student music therapists (SMTs) go through in their academic careers. In these two years, I want to make sure our regional chapters and SMTs across the country feel welcome and heard in the movement of the music therapy field, and to transform communication circuits from a top-down approach to a horizontal, hybrid communication network for easy access to opportunities and discussion.
Fun Fact: I was awarded a key to the city of my hometown when I was 18!
Region: Midwest Region
School and Year: University of Kansas, Junior
Primary Instrument: Percussion
Why I want to become a music therapist: I want to be a music therapist to provide opportunities for personal and functional growth, with the power of music to be used as a tool and facilitator to guide their journey. Music has been an important part in my life, and whether or not an individual knows how important music is in their lives, I want to harness the power that music can bring for others.
Why I became an AMTAS member: I became a member of AMTAS to work, serve, and highlight the diverse experiences student music therapists (SMTs) go through in their academic careers. In these two years, I want to make sure our regional chapters and SMTs across the country feel welcome and heard in the movement of the music therapy field, and to transform communication circuits from a top-down approach to a horizontal, hybrid communication network for easy access to opportunities and discussion.
Fun Fact: I was awarded a key to the city of my hometown when I was 18!
Vice President, Grace Parlier
Contact: vicepresident.amtas@gmail.com
Region: Great Lakes Region
School & Year: Alverno College, Junior
Primary instrument: Voice
Why I want to be a music therapist: As Hans Christian Anderson said, "Where words fail, music speaks." I want to be a music therapist, as I find music a means of communicating the ineffable in everyday life, empowering those who feel as if they do not or have lost a voice, and to find the joy and strength of individuals we work with, through music.
Why I became a member of AMTA: I believe that participation is a means of greater passion and enthusiastic involvement. I chose to run for a second term as VP to further our Virtual Cafe series and explore issues of social justice and music therapy as well as accumulating tools and opportunities for music therapy students to grow and succeed in their studies.I am happy and excited to serve you on the board this year!
Fun fact: I am one of eight children--including my 19 month old brother! I am also an avid thrift shopper.
Region: Great Lakes Region
School & Year: Alverno College, Junior
Primary instrument: Voice
Why I want to be a music therapist: As Hans Christian Anderson said, "Where words fail, music speaks." I want to be a music therapist, as I find music a means of communicating the ineffable in everyday life, empowering those who feel as if they do not or have lost a voice, and to find the joy and strength of individuals we work with, through music.
Why I became a member of AMTA: I believe that participation is a means of greater passion and enthusiastic involvement. I chose to run for a second term as VP to further our Virtual Cafe series and explore issues of social justice and music therapy as well as accumulating tools and opportunities for music therapy students to grow and succeed in their studies.I am happy and excited to serve you on the board this year!
Fun fact: I am one of eight children--including my 19 month old brother! I am also an avid thrift shopper.
Treasurer, Megan Averill
Contact: treasurer.amtas@gmail.com
Region: Midwest Region
School & Year: Drury University, Junior
Primary instrument: Voice
Why I want to be a music therapist: I decided to start my journey to become a music therapist because it perfectly combines my love of music with my passion for making a positive difference in people’s lives. While I’m still undecided on which population I would most like to serve in a therapy setting, I know how beneficial music can be, and I am excited to use that to facilitate healing and growth with my future clients.
Why I became a member of AMTA: I am excited to build and facilitate relationships with other students, interns, and professionals while serving on the board this year! I also hope to put my organizational skills to use as I perform my duties as treasurer.
Fun fact: I had the opportunity to perform at Carnegie Hall with my high school orchestra!
Region: Midwest Region
School & Year: Drury University, Junior
Primary instrument: Voice
Why I want to be a music therapist: I decided to start my journey to become a music therapist because it perfectly combines my love of music with my passion for making a positive difference in people’s lives. While I’m still undecided on which population I would most like to serve in a therapy setting, I know how beneficial music can be, and I am excited to use that to facilitate healing and growth with my future clients.
Why I became a member of AMTA: I am excited to build and facilitate relationships with other students, interns, and professionals while serving on the board this year! I also hope to put my organizational skills to use as I perform my duties as treasurer.
Fun fact: I had the opportunity to perform at Carnegie Hall with my high school orchestra!
Secretary, Anna Bocanegra
Contact: secretary.amtas@gmail.com
Region: Southwest Region
School and Year: University of the Incarnate Word, Senior
Primary instrument: Voice
Why I want to be a music therapist: I decided to become a music therapy student without truly understanding what music therapy was but I always knew I wanted to help and inspire others with music as music helped and inspired me. Now that I am continuing to learn more about this profession and nearing the end of my undergrad, I want to provide as much information as I can to anyone who is curious about music therapy or would like to become a music therapist some day.
Why I became a member of AMTA: I'm very excited to be apart of this amazing board as well as representing the Southwest Region at a national level! I hope my contributions and relationships I build with others on this board and across the nation will leave a lovely impact in inspiration and development for you all!
Fun fact: My vocal range is from E-flat 3 to to an E natural 7
Region: Southwest Region
School and Year: University of the Incarnate Word, Senior
Primary instrument: Voice
Why I want to be a music therapist: I decided to become a music therapy student without truly understanding what music therapy was but I always knew I wanted to help and inspire others with music as music helped and inspired me. Now that I am continuing to learn more about this profession and nearing the end of my undergrad, I want to provide as much information as I can to anyone who is curious about music therapy or would like to become a music therapist some day.
Why I became a member of AMTA: I'm very excited to be apart of this amazing board as well as representing the Southwest Region at a national level! I hope my contributions and relationships I build with others on this board and across the nation will leave a lovely impact in inspiration and development for you all!
Fun fact: My vocal range is from E-flat 3 to to an E natural 7
Parliamentarian, Mariah Buettner
Contact: parliamentarian.amtas@gmail.com
Region: Midwest Region
School & Year: University of Missoui-Kansas City, Senior
Primary instrument: Violin
Why I want to be a music therapist: I want to be a music therapist because I have a passion for advocacy and supporting the success of others, and music therapy lets me do that while incorporating my loves of both music and science.
Why I became a member of AMTA: My passion for supporting others is a big reason that I joined the AMTAS board! I care about YOU and your development as a professional, student, and person.
Fun fact: I taught myself how to knit over quarantine!
Region: Midwest Region
School & Year: University of Missoui-Kansas City, Senior
Primary instrument: Violin
Why I want to be a music therapist: I want to be a music therapist because I have a passion for advocacy and supporting the success of others, and music therapy lets me do that while incorporating my loves of both music and science.
Why I became a member of AMTA: My passion for supporting others is a big reason that I joined the AMTAS board! I care about YOU and your development as a professional, student, and person.
Fun fact: I taught myself how to knit over quarantine!
Student Affairs Advisory Board Advisor (Chair), Jeffrey Wolfe
Contact: advisor.amtas@gmail.com
Region: Great Lakes Region
Place of employment: Institute for Therapy through the Arts
Primary instrument: Percussion
Why I wanted to be a music therapist: When I was a sophomore at The University of Akron I became interested in Harry Partch, a percussionist/composer, who devised innovative instruments and tuning systems. Meanwhile, I was employed at Midpark High School as a Concert Band and Drumline Instructor. As I learned more about the mathematical concepts and scientific relationships of frequencies in music, I began to wonder how different elements of music affected people on a physiological and psychological level. I started to observe more and more at Midpark and noticed the unifying agent that music created. It enabled individuals on all levels to come together as one to create art. I had a few students with disabilities at that time. I found that they were empowered by performing music and engaging in the social process of making music. I found this experience to be rewarding on several levels; personally, spiritually, and from the community of those parents of individuals I was working with. As I learned more about research I began to talk more about my experience on a daily basis. I was engaged in an intense conversation with a colleague about my two experiences when she mentioned that what I was referring to sounded like the work of a music therapist. After realizing such an amazing profession existed, I sought out to make the rewarding experience of helping others through music my future. To this day I find it a truly rewarding and increasingly fascinating experience.
Why I became a member of AMTA: I grew up attending networking events with my family business. At a young age I realized how interaction in professional organizations such as AMTA helps you grow and feel supported in what you do. It allows an opportunity to witness professionals applying their knowledge on a daily basis, ideas developing through partnerships that enhance the quality of each organization, and how organizations provide support so you can ask questions and receive resources. I am also a member so I can support others and share my knowledge. In comparison to many organizations, I have always been amazed at the positive energy and sense of community that AMTA creates amongst music therapists.
Fun fact: My face was once used on a giant 700 sq. ft. billboard for the University of Akron.
Region: Great Lakes Region
Place of employment: Institute for Therapy through the Arts
Primary instrument: Percussion
Why I wanted to be a music therapist: When I was a sophomore at The University of Akron I became interested in Harry Partch, a percussionist/composer, who devised innovative instruments and tuning systems. Meanwhile, I was employed at Midpark High School as a Concert Band and Drumline Instructor. As I learned more about the mathematical concepts and scientific relationships of frequencies in music, I began to wonder how different elements of music affected people on a physiological and psychological level. I started to observe more and more at Midpark and noticed the unifying agent that music created. It enabled individuals on all levels to come together as one to create art. I had a few students with disabilities at that time. I found that they were empowered by performing music and engaging in the social process of making music. I found this experience to be rewarding on several levels; personally, spiritually, and from the community of those parents of individuals I was working with. As I learned more about research I began to talk more about my experience on a daily basis. I was engaged in an intense conversation with a colleague about my two experiences when she mentioned that what I was referring to sounded like the work of a music therapist. After realizing such an amazing profession existed, I sought out to make the rewarding experience of helping others through music my future. To this day I find it a truly rewarding and increasingly fascinating experience.
Why I became a member of AMTA: I grew up attending networking events with my family business. At a young age I realized how interaction in professional organizations such as AMTA helps you grow and feel supported in what you do. It allows an opportunity to witness professionals applying their knowledge on a daily basis, ideas developing through partnerships that enhance the quality of each organization, and how organizations provide support so you can ask questions and receive resources. I am also a member so I can support others and share my knowledge. In comparison to many organizations, I have always been amazed at the positive energy and sense of community that AMTA creates amongst music therapists.
Fun fact: My face was once used on a giant 700 sq. ft. billboard for the University of Akron.