,Meet the 2022-2023 AMTA Board of Directors
Lori Fogus Gooding, PhD, MT-BC (she/her) – President
Lori is Associate Professor of Music Therapy at Florida State University. In addition to her role as President, she serves on the editorial board for the Journal of Music Therapy and is a past president of the SER-AMTA. She has published and presented nationally and internationally and is the recipient of multiple grants, including a Fulbright award to Malaysia. Dr. Gooding’s clinical work has primarily been hospital-based, and she also worked in public school systems. Her research interests include music therapy-based psychosocial care, music therapy education policy and practices, and work-life factors for music therapy practitioners and students.
Andrea Dalton, MA, MT-BC (she/her) – Vice President
Andrea is a Senior Implementation Specialist in the Center for Trauma Informed Innovation at University Health in Kansas City, MO. Drawing on 12 years of experience in trauma-sensitive clinical services and program development as a music therapist in inpatient mental health and residential nursing facilities, Andrea works with healthcare, education, and social service organizations to promote cultural transformation that supports both staff and service users. Andrea has served the profession of music therapy as president of the Kansas City Metro Music Therapists and the Midwestern Region of AMTA, as the Regional Presidents’ Representative to the Board, as an Assembly delegate and committee representative. She is a Certified Leadership Coach and provides clinical supervision and coaching from a trauma-informed perspective.
Jennifer Geiger, MA, MT-BC (she/her) - Immediate Past President
Jennifer has been a business owner, clinical supervisor, non-profit leader, course instructor, and legislative advocate of/for music therapy. She is pursuing an EdD in Transformative Action in Education at University of the Pacific’s Benerd College. A third-generation Californian, living on Ohlone land, a parent, spouse of a retired police officer, and volunteer with the First Responder Support Network, her research focuses on the lived experiences of spouses of first responders diagnosed with PTSD. Her doctoral studies have focused on reflexivity, inclusion, equity leadership, power dynamics, and dismantling oppressive organizational structures. Self-care practices include engaging in self-compassion, movement, and creativity. She enjoys exploring family history, crocheting, binge watching, audiobooks, and cats.
Leslie Orozco Henry, MM, MT-BC (she/her) - Treasurer
Leslie is employed with Alverno College as the Program Director and Associate Professor of Music Therapy. She has worked in various settings, including behavioral health inpatient hospitals, hospice, multigenerational daycare, a community music school, and physical rehabilitation/skilled nursing settings. Many of these positions utilized non-profit models where Leslie has written grants, sought contracts, and managed and created budgets. In addition, she has also served as her local Marching Band, and Music Parents' Booster clubs President for several years. At Alverno, she teaches a grant writing course for music therapists in their graduate program. Leslie has served in state, regional, and national roles all her student and professional life. Her goal is to help AMTA shift the budget formula to one that is equitable, transparent, accessible, and sustainable.
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Angela M. Snell, MSEd, MT-BC (she/her) – President Elect
Angie is a school music therapist and educational consultant from Monroe, Michigan. She specializes in music therapy services in least restrictive environments, assessment, and special education law. She is an experienced change agent with graduate degrees in Educational Leadership and Special Education Administration. She has served in leadership roles at all levels inside and outside of our field. In addition to AMTA Speaker, she serves on the Michigan Music Therapy Task Force, Michigan Music Education Association’s Inclusive Instruction Committee, and Clinical Coordinator for Roman Music Therapy Services. She is a local, regional, and national presenter and author on related topics.
Jennifer Sokira, MMT, LCAT, MT-BC (she/her) – Vice President Elect
Jennifer is a private practice owner, consultant and educator from Monroe, CT. Founding Director of Connecticut Music Therapy Services, LLC, Jennifer’s clinical work focuses on supporting survivors of individual and collective trauma using music psychotherapy methods. She supervises and consults with individuals and organizations to assist them with disaster response and trauma-informed program development. In addition to writing and presenting, she teaches at Alverno College and Quinnipiac University, and is an instructor and curriculum developer with EnlightenCE. Her previous professional service has included president of New England Region of AMTA, as a member of the AMTA Ethics Board, as well as various committees and task forces.
Brian Jantz, MA, MT-BC (he/him) – Speaker of the Assembly
Brian currently teaches full-time in the music therapy department at Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. He has been active as a clinician, practicum site supervisor, course instructor, and researcher for over 23 years. Brian has extensive experience working and supervising within pediatric medical and psychiatric/substance use disorder facilities. He was involved with clinical work, research, and program development at Boston Children’s Hospital for over 20 years. Brian presented this past year on the topics of telehealth and promoting resilience at the International Association for Music and Medicine conference, Expressive Therapies Summit, and a global nursing webinar for SIGMA/ANPD. He is the current President of the New England Region of the American Music Therapy Association, and the New England Region Representative for the Association's Internship Approval Committee.
Spencer Hardy, MA, MT-BC (he/him) – Assembly of Delegates Representative
Spencer works at Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City, UT where he serves as the Expressive Therapies Coordinator and Music Therapy Internship Director. Spencer also works for the Utah Pride Center co-leading a creative arts therapy group for LGBTQ youth. Spencer received both his undergraduate degree and Masters in Music Therapy from Berklee College of Music. Additionally, he teaches part-time at Berklee as an Assistant Professor. Spencer has given many presentations and participated in work centering LGBTQ voices and queer identity and he is passionate about anti-oppressive and equitable practices within the field of music therapy.
Mia Iliopoulos, MM, CDP, MT-BC (she/her) – Assembly of Delegates Representative
Mia resides in Chicago, IL and is a team music therapist at Greater Chicago Music Therapy, Inc. The private practice serves adults and older adults with dementia, disabilities, and neurological disorders. Her expertise lies in neurodegenerative diseases, such as dementia and Parkinson's disease, in addition to end of life care and other neurologic, vocal, and respiratory functionality. She received her BM in music therapy from Western Illinois University and MM in music therapy from Colorado State University. Currently, Mia serves as President of the Illinois Association for Music Therapy and is the Illinois Representative on the GLR Executive Board. In addition, Mia has served on the planning committees for the GLR conferences, is a frequent conference presenter, and works with students and universities as a practicum and intern supervisor and guest lecturer.
Kate Myers-Coffman, PhD, MT-BC (she/they) – Assembly of Delegates Representative
Kate is an Assistant Professor of Music Therapy at Molloy College. Their clinical work and research focus on trauma-aware, resource-oriented programming for youth and families who have experienced trauma and loss. Their approach to music therapy practice, education, scholarship, and service is guided by equity-centered, culturally humble, relational, and collaborative values. Kate is also on the editorial board of Music Therapy Perspectives and serves the Mid-Atlantic Region of the AMTA through the Anti-Sexual Harassment Subcommittee and the Anti-Oppressive Accountability Ad Hoc Committee.
Chelsea Mabes, MA, MT-BC (she/her) - Council Coordinator for the Council on Association Services
Chelsea is a music therapist at Opportunities for Positive Growth, Inc. in Lafayette, Indiana. She supports people of all ages with intellectual and developmental disabilities, autism, mental health disorders, and trauma as well as groups in the local school system. She completed her BM at Ohio University and her MA at St. Mary of the Woods College. Her thesis explored the understanding of trauma-informed care in the music therapy profession and she has presented her research at regional conference, at her place of employment, and to university students. She is also passionate about education, and she has supervised numerous practicum students and interns as a professional. Chelsea serves on the GLR executive board as Chair of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee as well as engaging in regional strategic planning.
Alejandra J. Ferrer, PhD, MT-BC (she/her) - Council Coordinator for the Council on Education and Clinical Training
Alejandra has coordinated the music therapy program at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee since 2015. Prior to Belmont, she taught at Ohio University and The Ohio State University. As a clinician, Dr. Ferrer provided music therapy services in a variety of settings including Nationwide Children’s Hospital, The James Cancer Center and Solove Research Institute, and Twin Valley Behavioral Healthcare. Previously, Alejandra served on the American Music Therapy Association’s Academic and Program Approval Committee and the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee.
Leslie Henry, MM, MT-BC (she/her) – Council Coordinator for the Council on Professional Practices
Leslie is a seasoned music therapist with diverse experiences in her professional career. She earned a Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy from Alverno College and a Master of Music specializing in Music Therapy from Colorado State University and is a Neurologic Music Therapist – Fellow with the Academy of Neurologic Music Therapy. Leslie has experience in skilled nursing, physical rehabilitation, community music, intergenerational day care, hospice, mental health, and academia. She has served the profession of music therapy in a variety of capacities, including: Vice President (1996-2000) and President (2000-2004) of the Wisconsin Chapter of Music Therapy, GLR Conference Co-Chair (1996 & 2005), GLR Executive Board (2000-2004 & 2009-2015), GLR of AMTA Professional Advocacy Representative (2009-2015) and AMTA Professional Advocacy Co-Chair (2015-2021). Leslie believes in empowering and supporting music therapists in their work and advancing the profession by including communities not served by music therapy, building partnerships and sustainability of our work force and payor systems.
Katrina Koszczuk, MM, MT-BC (she/her) - Regional Presidents' Representative
Katrina is a music therapist for the University of Kentucky Healthcare and Eastern State Hospital. She received her Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy from Illinois State University in 2008 and her Master of Music in Music Therapy from Colorado State University in 2013. While in graduate school, Katrina completed the Neurologic Music Therapist training and later became an NMT-Fellow. Since 2008, Katrina has gained clinical experience with autism, pervasive developmental disabilities, neurological impairment, behavioral health, general medical, and inpatient rehabilitation populations. Additionally at UK Healthcare, Katrina supervises music therapy interns in the behavioral health and neuro settings. Her greatest passions are hiking, providing efficacious music therapy services, and lifelong learning.
Lauren Daniels, MLIS, MT-BC (she/her) - Historian/Secretary
Lauren is both the Music and the Library Specialist at Los Encinos School in Los Angeles, where she works with neurodiverse children. A former Program Director for Able ARTS Work in Long Beach, California, Lauren also works with adult wellness and mental health in private music therapy practice, and is an Advanced GIM Trainee with the Therapeutic Arts Institute.
Grant Howarth, MA, LPC-Associate, MT-BC (he/him) – DEI Committee Liaison, SWR Representative
Grant is a hospice and private practice therapist in East Texas. He provides DEI and LGBTQ focused trainings to Texas organizations as education chair of Pineywoods Pride Coalition, serves as the emerging leader for the Texas Association of Multicultural Counseling and Development, and is a Co-Founder and chair for Lavender Prom: an annual prom for queer youth in East Texas. He is a member of both the LGBTQIA2 Affinity Group and Disabled Music Therapists Collective.
Shannon Kiley (she/they) - DEI Committee Liaison, SER Representative (photo/bio forthcoming)
Vienna Sa (she/her) - DEI Committee Liaison, WR Representative (photo/bio forthcoming)
Susan Hadley (she/her) - DEI Committee Liaison, SER Representative (photo/bio forthcoming)
Anurati Jain (she/her) - DEI Committee Liaison, GLR Representative (photo/bio forthcoming)
AMTA DEI Committee Members are serving in an interim, rotating basis to provide continuous DEI Board Representative presence on the Board at this time. This position information will be updated as representation changes.