2022 AMTAS Executive Board
President, Jakob Moberly
Contact: presidentelect.amtas@gmail.com
Region: Midwestern
School and Year: University of Kansas, Senior
Primary Instrument: Percussion
What I hope to accomplish as a future music therapist: I hope to change the way people view and perceive music therapy clinical practice and the transfer of skills into other fields of work and daily living.
Why I became an AMTAS member: To support the student voice and lead.
Fun Fact: I’m left handed, so I play left handed instruments! (Guitar, Ukulele, etc.)
Region: Midwestern
School and Year: University of Kansas, Senior
Primary Instrument: Percussion
What I hope to accomplish as a future music therapist: I hope to change the way people view and perceive music therapy clinical practice and the transfer of skills into other fields of work and daily living.
Why I became an AMTAS member: To support the student voice and lead.
Fun Fact: I’m left handed, so I play left handed instruments! (Guitar, Ukulele, etc.)
President-Elect, Micah Castillo
Contact: presidentelect.amtas@gmail.com
Region: Southeastern
School and Year: Florida State University, Senior
Primary Instrument: Voice
What I hope to accomplish as a future music therapist: I hope to continue serving clients of all needs and abilities as best as I can. I have found so much gratitude and reward in helping individuals be their best selves through music- it truly has been such a gift to share my perspective of our evidence-based practices with them. I also hope to continue bringing awareness to our field and advocating for our students and professionals.
Why I became an AMTAS member: I became an AMTAS member because I was inspired by the student leadership in our organization. I saw how selfless, motivated, kind, and relatable these individuals were and admired the work they were putting forth in growth as student music therapists. I believe that experience is the best way to learn and I have loved the person I have become since joining this organization and surrounding myself with these students. It is such a gift, especially during these difficult times of isolation.
Fun Fact: This past summer, my family and I visited Hawaii for the first time and one of the hikes we conquered was the Koko Head Crater, a 1,000+ step abandoned railroad trail that previously transported supplies to a lookout post during WWII!
Region: Southeastern
School and Year: Florida State University, Senior
Primary Instrument: Voice
What I hope to accomplish as a future music therapist: I hope to continue serving clients of all needs and abilities as best as I can. I have found so much gratitude and reward in helping individuals be their best selves through music- it truly has been such a gift to share my perspective of our evidence-based practices with them. I also hope to continue bringing awareness to our field and advocating for our students and professionals.
Why I became an AMTAS member: I became an AMTAS member because I was inspired by the student leadership in our organization. I saw how selfless, motivated, kind, and relatable these individuals were and admired the work they were putting forth in growth as student music therapists. I believe that experience is the best way to learn and I have loved the person I have become since joining this organization and surrounding myself with these students. It is such a gift, especially during these difficult times of isolation.
Fun Fact: This past summer, my family and I visited Hawaii for the first time and one of the hikes we conquered was the Koko Head Crater, a 1,000+ step abandoned railroad trail that previously transported supplies to a lookout post during WWII!
Vice President, Amanda Bower
Contact: vicepresident.amtas@gmail.com
Region: Southeastern
School & Year: University of Miami, Junior
Primary instrument: Contemporary guitar/voice
What I hope to accomplish as a future music therapist: I would love to work with infants/toddlers and use my knowledge as a contemporary musician and guitarist to provide resources for students and professionals. I am also passionate about music therapy advocacy and want to continue doing so on a higher level as I enter the professional world.
Why I became an AMTAS member: I became a member of AMTAS to advocate for music therapy and be a part of a music therapy community on a bigger scale, outside of just my university. I love meeting new people with the same passions as me and making connections around the country, both of which I am able to do with AMTAS!
Fun fact: I love the Mamma Mia movies and anything Abba!
Region: Southeastern
School & Year: University of Miami, Junior
Primary instrument: Contemporary guitar/voice
What I hope to accomplish as a future music therapist: I would love to work with infants/toddlers and use my knowledge as a contemporary musician and guitarist to provide resources for students and professionals. I am also passionate about music therapy advocacy and want to continue doing so on a higher level as I enter the professional world.
Why I became an AMTAS member: I became a member of AMTAS to advocate for music therapy and be a part of a music therapy community on a bigger scale, outside of just my university. I love meeting new people with the same passions as me and making connections around the country, both of which I am able to do with AMTAS!
Fun fact: I love the Mamma Mia movies and anything Abba!
Treasurer, Gabriela Perez
Contact: treasurer.amtas@gmail.com
Region: Western
School & Year: Utah State University, Junior
Primary instrument: Piano
What I hope to accomplish as a future music therapist: Not sure yet but hopefully a lot!
Why I became an AMTAS member: To become more involved, connect with other students and music therapists, and learn more.
Fun fact: I have a cute dog named Paco
Region: Western
School & Year: Utah State University, Junior
Primary instrument: Piano
What I hope to accomplish as a future music therapist: Not sure yet but hopefully a lot!
Why I became an AMTAS member: To become more involved, connect with other students and music therapists, and learn more.
Fun fact: I have a cute dog named Paco
Secretary, Taylor White
Contact: secretary.amtas@gmail.com
Region: Southwestern
School and Year: Sam Houston State University, Senior
Primary instrument: Voice
What I hope to accomplish as a future music therapist: I want to work with older kids and teenagers in either a mental health setting or a hospital setting. I want also would eventually like to move into a teaching or a supervisor role, as accomplishing things means nothing if I can’t share and learn from others in the field. There’s so many things to do and learn about in the field, and I just want to learn and grow and see where my career takes me!
Why I became an AMTAS member: I became an AMTAS member to connect with other music therapy students across the nation. It’s important to have support systems locally, regionally, and nationally, and any student, AMTAS member or not, can always message me when they have a question or simply want to chat!
Fun fact: My favorite movie is the 2005 version of Pride and Prejudice, and I love reading in my spare time!
Region: Southwestern
School and Year: Sam Houston State University, Senior
Primary instrument: Voice
What I hope to accomplish as a future music therapist: I want to work with older kids and teenagers in either a mental health setting or a hospital setting. I want also would eventually like to move into a teaching or a supervisor role, as accomplishing things means nothing if I can’t share and learn from others in the field. There’s so many things to do and learn about in the field, and I just want to learn and grow and see where my career takes me!
Why I became an AMTAS member: I became an AMTAS member to connect with other music therapy students across the nation. It’s important to have support systems locally, regionally, and nationally, and any student, AMTAS member or not, can always message me when they have a question or simply want to chat!
Fun fact: My favorite movie is the 2005 version of Pride and Prejudice, and I love reading in my spare time!
Parliamentarian, Sami Morrison
Contact: parliamentarian.amtas@gmail.com
Region: Midwestern
School & Year: Colorado State University, 3rd Year Master's Equivalency
Primary instrument: Voice
What I hope to accomplish as a future music therapist: My goal is start my own private practice soon after graduating and work primarily with clients with mental health goals. I hope to one day lead a team of awesome clinicians with varying specialities to best serve our clients and mentor interns. I also hope to continue to be involved in AMTA leadership as I progress in my career.
Why I became an AMTAS member: I joined AMTAS because I am passionate about making connections, building community, and working to build a bigger and better future for the music therapy field as a whole.
Fun fact: I love keeping myself active with kickboxing and dance!
Region: Midwestern
School & Year: Colorado State University, 3rd Year Master's Equivalency
Primary instrument: Voice
What I hope to accomplish as a future music therapist: My goal is start my own private practice soon after graduating and work primarily with clients with mental health goals. I hope to one day lead a team of awesome clinicians with varying specialities to best serve our clients and mentor interns. I also hope to continue to be involved in AMTA leadership as I progress in my career.
Why I became an AMTAS member: I joined AMTAS because I am passionate about making connections, building community, and working to build a bigger and better future for the music therapy field as a whole.
Fun fact: I love keeping myself active with kickboxing and dance!
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.