As defined by the American Music Therapy Association:

Music Therapy is the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program.

​Music Therapy is an established health profession in which music is used within a therapeutic relationship to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals. After assessing the strengths and needs of each client, the qualified music therapist provides the indicated treatment including creating, singing, moving to, and/or listening to music. Through musical involvement in the therapeutic context, clients' abilities are strengthened and transferred to other areas of their lives. Music therapy also provides avenues for communication that can be helpful to those who find it difficult to express themselves in words. Research in music therapy supports its effectiveness in many areas such as: overall physical rehabilitation and facilitating movement, increasing people's motivation to become engaged in their treatment, providing emotional support for clients and their families, and providing an outlet for expression of feelings.

For more information, visit www.musictherapy.org.

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The Executive Board (2025-2027)

Dr. Jim Pierce, PhD, MT-BC
President

Jim Pierce is a native of Morgantown, WV where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Music and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from West Virginia University. Jim previously served as President of TAMT on the 2023-2025 Executive Board, and was voted for a second term to serve on the current board. Due to his passion
for music and psychology he earned a Master of Music in Music Therapy from Florida State University. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Music Education from University of Southern
Mississippi. He is currently on faculty at the Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music at the University of Memphis.
A prolific grant writer and community organizer, throughout his career Dr. Pierce has been awarded many state and local grants. Of his more than $120,000 awarded grant funds, each
successful grant endeavor promotes music therapy services and has a positive cascading impact
for his university students and community. While every grant has a target goal all share the
following commonalities: help people diagnosed with various health concerns meet individualized behavior-oriented goals through the application of music, create employment
opportunities for his undergraduate music therapy students, and provide public awareness of people diagnosed with physical/psychological or other impairment as contributing members of society.
Dr. Pierce has an extensive eighteen-year clinical career as a board-certified music therapist with a history of providing meaningful, goal-directed services to individuals/groups in
the following settings: nursing homes, assisted living facilities, acute/long-term adult mental health facilities, facilities for individuals diagnosed with developmental disabilities, juvenile
detention centers, acute/long-term forensic mental health facilities and dual diagnosis facilities.
For leisure Jim enjoys spending time with his fiancé, and Great Dane Sophia, performing in jazz trios, playing basketball, and hiking at state parks.

Makayla Brady, MT-BC
Secretary

Makayla is a board-certified music therapist with experience providing quality clinical and evidenced based practices to both individuals and groups. She is the co-owner and founder of Creative Wellness Music Therapy, a private practice based in Memphis, TN providing services to children, adolescents, and adults with various needs. She possesses experience in the following settings: inpatient and outpatient Psychiatric and Behavioral Health hospitals, special education, school systems through Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), adult Intellectual and Developmental day treatment, Memory Care and Assisted Living facilities, private groups for Individuals diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, and habilitation/rehabilitation in at home settings. Makayla has a special interest in Cognitive Behavioral Music Therapy, utilizing music to modify behaviors and reinforce positive actions through collaborative and strength-based approaches within various psychotherapeutic modalities. She aims to assist clients and patients in the identification and evaluation of thoughts and beliefs that contribute to maladaptive behaviors, development of coping skills, and achieve long lasting positive change. She believes in the best practice approach as an effective way to restore, maintain, and improve cognitive, emotional, social, communicative, and physiological functioning. When not engaged in music therapy services, Makayla is a freelance musician and community volunteer. In her leisure time, she enjoys spending time with her family, exploring state parks, watching movies, and traveling.

Jess Knoble, MT-BC
Treasurer

Jess is a Board-Certified Music Therapist with certifications in Neurologic Music Therapy and NICU-MT, and currently serves as a Pediatric Music Therapist at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville, TN. Jess previously served as Treasurer of TAMT on the 2023-2025 Executive board, and was voted for a second term to serve on the current board.

​Born and raised in Nashville, Jess attended Belmont University for her undergraduate studies in Music Therapy and completed her internship at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. Jess also works as a private contractor with mental health facilities in the Middle Tennessee, and is currently pursuing her Master’s of Music Therapy through Colorado State University. 

​Jess found her strengths as a Music Therapist through working in a pediatric medical setting and utilizing evidence-based interventions and best practice for supporting patients and families during their hospitalizations. At Monroe Carell, Jess provides services in a variety of inpatient units, including the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Hematology/Oncology, Cardiology, Surgery, General Medicine, and patients who are followed by palliative care services, trauma and rehabilitation, diabetes, and orthopedics. Jess has a passion for upholding ethical considerations as clinicians, advocating for high quality Music Therapy services, and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams through direct patient services and community partnerships.  
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Jess enjoys traveling with her family and friends, thrift-shopping, playing video games, drinking coffee, and keeping up with the latest music trends.