Meet the AMTA National Office 

Full - Time Staff 

Judy Simpson, MT-BC, Managing Director of Government Relations and Advocacy 

Judy (she/her) represents the music therapy profession with state and federal legislators, agencies, and coalitions. Since 2005, she has led AMTA’s national state recognition initiative in collaboration with the Certification Board for Music Therapists. Responsible for providing reimbursement guidance to AMTA members and music therapy consumers, Judy holds the professional designation of “Managed Healthcare Professional” from America’s Health Insurance Plans and is the co-author of “Music Therapy Reimbursement: Best Practices and Procedures.” Her clinical experience involved developing music therapy programs in hospital settings, including physical rehabilitation, oncology, labor and delivery, psychiatry, ICU, and general medicine.

Dianne Wawrzusin, MM, MT-BC, Director of Member Services and Administration

Dianne (she/her) serves as the key contact for future and current members of AMTA and manages the vast majority of administrative functions for the association. She has a broad overview of the association having started with NAMT in 1988. Dianne graduated from Anna Maria College and received a Masters in Music Therapy from the Catholic University of America. She has worked in a variety of settings including community mental health, K-12 school, skilled and assisted living and Adult Daycare with seniors. Outside of AMTA, Dianne keeps busy as an accompanist and a vocal soloist in local church congregations. 

Laura Beer, PhD, MT-BC,Education and Clinical Training Coordinator

Laura supports music therapy education and clinical training programs nationwide and is a primary resource for educators, internship directors, institutions, and interns. She coordinates academic program and internship approvals in alignment with the AMTA Standards for Education and Clinical Training. Laura brings extensive experience as a music therapist, researcher, author, and educator. She has worked as a clinician in a wide range of settings and previously served AMTA as Lead Editor for Music Therapy Perspectives. Laura joins AMTA with additional experience in workforce and continuing education program development and is committed to creating accessibility and equity in music therapy education.

Amanda K. Henley, MM, MT-BC, Government Relations Associate

Amanda supports the Managing Director of Government Relations and Advocacy in implementing the American Music Therapy Association’s (AMTA) federal and state policy strategies that strengthen music therapy practice and expand access to services. She brings more than 20 years of experience advancing clinical practice, research, and advocacy in music therapy. Amanda earned a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Music in Music Therapy from The Florida State University and has maintained board certification since 2002. Most recently, she served as a Visiting Lecturer in Music Therapy at Indiana University in Indianapolis, teaching across the undergraduate curriculum. She also has a decade of research management experience at the Indiana University School of Nursing, serving as a research associate and project manager on multiple NIH-funded studies focused on music interventions for children, adolescents, and young adults with cancer and their families. Amanda’s leadership includes chairing the Indiana State Music Therapy Task Force and serving as the Great Lakes Region AMTA Government Relations Representative. She received the 2021 AMTA Change Maker for Music Therapy Advocacy Award.

Consultants 

Peter Bendoris, Interim Chief Operating Officer
Our current Interim Chief Operating Officer has been with AMTA since 2022.  Peter came to us via assignment from Newpoint Advisors, a financial advisory firm.  Peter has been with Newpoint since 2020.  Prior to his time at Newpoint, Peter worked for 6 different commercial banks and a state economic development agency over 27 years in various roles.  Peter attended both Babson College and Northeastern University.

Kimberly A. Bell, MT-BC, Senior Information Specialist, Social Media and Government Relations Consultant

Kim (she/her) is a Board-Certified Music Therapist currently serving as Senior Information Specialist, Social Media and Government Relations Consultant for AMTA. She has over 38 years of clinical experience in music therapy practicing in medical pediatrics, pediatric rehabilitation, and behavioral health. She has presented at the local, regional, and national level on a variety of topics including technology in music therapy, pediatric music therapy and student supervision. She has served AMTA in committee work and held various offices at the regional level for both the South Central and Southeastern Regions and represented AMTA on both regional and national committees.

Michelle Montgomery Muth, MT-BC, Communications Consultant
Michelle Muth, MT-BC, serves as the AMTA's Communications Consultant, leading strategic and ongoing communications to members and the larger music therapy community on the work of AMTA. She brings public relations and marketing experience from the information technology and internet sectors, alongside her perspective as a board-certified music therapist and owner of M3 Music Therapy. Known for blending the perspectives of clinician, entrepreneur, and communications strategist, Michelle is a big-picture thinker who also understands the practical pieces needed to move initiatives from concept to execution. Michelle has served the profession as Pennsylvania Task Force Co-Chair and Mid-Atlantic Region Professional Advocacy Representative. In 2025, she received the 2025 Service Award from the Mid-Atlantic Region of AMTA.