2019 AMTAS Executive Board
President, David Farsetti
Contact: president.amtas@gmail.com
Region: Southeastern
School and Year: Univeristy of Louisville, Senior
Primary Instrument: Flute
Why I want to be a music therapist: I find the ability of music to serve as a cognitive motivator to be uniquely powerful, and want this power to be shared with those who need encouragement for growth.
Why I became an AMTA member: AMTA is a uniting force within our profession, and I feel we must stand as a United from in order to further advocate for the professional recognition of our field. In addition to this, AMTA serves as an excellent resource for research, networking, and professional information.
Fun fact: I just recently had an amazing trip to Peru!
Region: Southeastern
School and Year: Univeristy of Louisville, Senior
Primary Instrument: Flute
Why I want to be a music therapist: I find the ability of music to serve as a cognitive motivator to be uniquely powerful, and want this power to be shared with those who need encouragement for growth.
Why I became an AMTA member: AMTA is a uniting force within our profession, and I feel we must stand as a United from in order to further advocate for the professional recognition of our field. In addition to this, AMTA serves as an excellent resource for research, networking, and professional information.
Fun fact: I just recently had an amazing trip to Peru!
President-Elect, Fiona Riso
Contact: presidentelect.amtas@gmail.com
Region: Mid-Atlantic
School and Year: Temple University, Junior
Primary Instrument: Clarinet
Why I want to be a music therapist: I've played music all my life, and have always believed in the power music has to connect people. Once I discovered music therapy, and saw how much it could change people's lives in so many different ways, I knew immediately that was what I wanted to do, and I've never looked back.
Why I became an AMTA member: Once I started going to conference and seeing what was happening in the field on a regional and national level, I wanted to be more involved. The more involved I got, the more resources I discovered that were available through AMTA membership. I love how being a member helps me connect to people in the field all over the country.
Fun Fact: I studied abroad for a month over the summer in Rome, and also got to visit Paris, Geneva, and Venice, all during my first trip out of the country.
Region: Mid-Atlantic
School and Year: Temple University, Junior
Primary Instrument: Clarinet
Why I want to be a music therapist: I've played music all my life, and have always believed in the power music has to connect people. Once I discovered music therapy, and saw how much it could change people's lives in so many different ways, I knew immediately that was what I wanted to do, and I've never looked back.
Why I became an AMTA member: Once I started going to conference and seeing what was happening in the field on a regional and national level, I wanted to be more involved. The more involved I got, the more resources I discovered that were available through AMTA membership. I love how being a member helps me connect to people in the field all over the country.
Fun Fact: I studied abroad for a month over the summer in Rome, and also got to visit Paris, Geneva, and Venice, all during my first trip out of the country.
Vice President, Judy Nie
Contact: vicepresident.amtas@gmail.com
Region: New England
School & Year: Berklee College of Music, Junior
Primary instrument: Piano
Why I want to be a music therapist: Music is such a powerful tool that engages the brain so actively, and it also connects people with different backgrounds together. I want to use the power of music as a social and rehabilitative tool to help people.
Why I became a member of AMTA: To connect with professionals and students from all over the country, and to learn more about new exciting learning opportunities! It is also good to be updated with the latest news, research and other information about the music therapy field.
Fun fact: I grew up in Singapore, which is a tropical country. Hence, I had never experienced fall nor spring till I moved to Boston for college!
Region: New England
School & Year: Berklee College of Music, Junior
Primary instrument: Piano
Why I want to be a music therapist: Music is such a powerful tool that engages the brain so actively, and it also connects people with different backgrounds together. I want to use the power of music as a social and rehabilitative tool to help people.
Why I became a member of AMTA: To connect with professionals and students from all over the country, and to learn more about new exciting learning opportunities! It is also good to be updated with the latest news, research and other information about the music therapy field.
Fun fact: I grew up in Singapore, which is a tropical country. Hence, I had never experienced fall nor spring till I moved to Boston for college!
Treasurer, Rachel Gan
Contact: treasurer.amtas@gmail.com
Region: Southwestern
School & Year: Southern Methodist University (Southwestern Region), Senior
Primary instrument: Piano
Why I want to be a music therapist: Music therapy is in the business of helping people be their best selves, and I want to be a part of that. Music itself is a wonderful, powerful medium that connects and empowers people in so many different ways, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to witness it in action with every client, each and every session.
Why I became a member of AMTA: I believe it is important to be connected to the larger network of music therapists in the country through AMTA. Other than the conference discounts, access to the music therapy publications is the most valuable resource—the articles I've read
throughout my education have supplemented my learning and inform my future practice!
Fun fact: I eat cereal in two bowls to avoid the disappointment of having sad, soggy cereal at the bottom of the bowl.
Region: Southwestern
School & Year: Southern Methodist University (Southwestern Region), Senior
Primary instrument: Piano
Why I want to be a music therapist: Music therapy is in the business of helping people be their best selves, and I want to be a part of that. Music itself is a wonderful, powerful medium that connects and empowers people in so many different ways, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to witness it in action with every client, each and every session.
Why I became a member of AMTA: I believe it is important to be connected to the larger network of music therapists in the country through AMTA. Other than the conference discounts, access to the music therapy publications is the most valuable resource—the articles I've read
throughout my education have supplemented my learning and inform my future practice!
Fun fact: I eat cereal in two bowls to avoid the disappointment of having sad, soggy cereal at the bottom of the bowl.
Secretary, Jordan Marshall
Contact: secretary.amtas@gmail.com
Region: Midwest
School and Year: Drury University, Senior
Primary instrument: Voice
Why I want to be a music therapist: Music speaks to people in a way that no other form of communication can. Music has always been such a crucial part in my life and finding a career where I can use music to help others is so exciting!
Why I became a member of AMTA: I joined AMTA because I think it is SO IMPORTANT to be a part of a community of music therapists. Not only does AMTA give out incredible resources and allow for professional networking, but it also unites music therapists from all over the country together so that we can work together to build up our profession.
Fun fact: When I was in high school, I started a business where I dressed up as different princesses and provided music and entertainment to children's birthday parties!
Region: Midwest
School and Year: Drury University, Senior
Primary instrument: Voice
Why I want to be a music therapist: Music speaks to people in a way that no other form of communication can. Music has always been such a crucial part in my life and finding a career where I can use music to help others is so exciting!
Why I became a member of AMTA: I joined AMTA because I think it is SO IMPORTANT to be a part of a community of music therapists. Not only does AMTA give out incredible resources and allow for professional networking, but it also unites music therapists from all over the country together so that we can work together to build up our profession.
Fun fact: When I was in high school, I started a business where I dressed up as different princesses and provided music and entertainment to children's birthday parties!
Parliamentarian, Thalia Dimitriou
Contact: parliamentarian.amtas@gmail.com
Region: Southeast
School & Year: Florida State University, Senior
Primary instrument: Voice
Why I want to be a music therapist: Music therapy combines my love for music with my drive to help others. As I learn more about this profession I become more invested in my future within it. Seeing how music can single-handedly help better a person's life in a clinical way is something spectacular, and I cannot wait to take the next step towards MT-BC!
Why I became a member of AMTA: I became a member of AMTA because I believe that being a member of the professional music therapy organization is extremely important! AMTA provides amazing resources for students and gives us an opportunity to be involved in major decisions regarding our future profession. The organization also allows us to stay up to date on the latest research, advocate for music therapy, and connect with other students and professionals from across the country!
Fun fact: I am the President of the Swing Dance Club at Florida State and I love to social dance!
Region: Southeast
School & Year: Florida State University, Senior
Primary instrument: Voice
Why I want to be a music therapist: Music therapy combines my love for music with my drive to help others. As I learn more about this profession I become more invested in my future within it. Seeing how music can single-handedly help better a person's life in a clinical way is something spectacular, and I cannot wait to take the next step towards MT-BC!
Why I became a member of AMTA: I became a member of AMTA because I believe that being a member of the professional music therapy organization is extremely important! AMTA provides amazing resources for students and gives us an opportunity to be involved in major decisions regarding our future profession. The organization also allows us to stay up to date on the latest research, advocate for music therapy, and connect with other students and professionals from across the country!
Fun fact: I am the President of the Swing Dance Club at Florida State and I love to social dance!
Student Affairs Advisory Board Advisor (Chair), Jeffrey Wolfe
Contact: advisor.amtas@gmail.com
Region: Great Lakes (GLR)
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 (GLR)
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.