Meet The Team
Meet Our Team!
Julie Cassity, MS, MT-BC
Music Therapist, Executive Director
Julie Cassity, MS, MT-BC, Neurologic Music Therapy® Music Therapist (NMT™) is a board-certified music therapist who has experience with a variety of populations including developmental disabilities and geriatrics. She also has experience in mental health and maintains licensure as a professional counselor. Julie opened The Center for Music Therapy and Wellness, located on the Drury University campus in 2002.
This has grown into a significant practice, providing services to many individuals in the greater Springfield area as well as providing training opportunities for the music therapy majors at Drury University. She serves as instructor of music therapy at Drury, teaching Field Studies and overseeing student practicum experiences in music therapy settings. In 2013, Julie founded Music Therapy of the Ozarks, a non-profit with a mission of providing scholarships to individuals and programs in the community that could not afford music therapy and building community awareness of the benefits of music therapy.
Julie has co-authored the book, Multimodal Psychiatric Music Therapy as well as a published article in the Journal of Music Therapy. She has also presented at regional and national conferences. Prior to her work in Springfield, Missouri, Julie worked in the areas of music therapy and mental health in the state of Oklahoma. She received a B.S. in music therapy from Texas Woman’s University in 1986, and a Master’s in Psychology from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in 1991. She has also received additional training in Neurologic Music Therapy® (NMT™) and has received the designation of Neurologic Music Therapy® Music Therapist (NMT™).
Morgan Robertson, MT-BC
Music Therapist, Clinical Supervisor
Morgan L. Robertson, MT-BC has been a contracted music therapist at The Center for Music Therapy and Wellness since 2011, providing over 25 music therapy sessions weekly. In 2000, she received a degree in Musical Theater from Indiana University Jacobs School of Music.
After several years of working as a singer/dancer, Morgan attended Drury University to obtain certification in music therapy. She completed an internship in the public school district in Lawrence, Kansas, and was awarded a Bachelor’s Equivalency in Music Therapy from Drury University as well as earning her credentials as an MT-BC in 2011.
Morgan provides music therapy sessions for Art Inspired Academy, as well as many other individuals and groups, served both at the clinic and in the community. Some populations she serves, in addition to those with developmental disabilities, includes geriatric sessions at Assisted Living Facilities, and the youth of Greene County who are involved with the Juvenile Justice Department.
Sarah Bartholomew, MT-BC
Music Therapist, Clinical Supervisor
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Sarah Bartholomew, MT-BC completed her coursework at Drury University in Springfield, MO, majoring in music therapy with a minor in psychology, and completed her internship at Heart and Harmony Music Therapy in Fort Worth, TX. Born and raised in Alaska, she began playing violin at age 4. Eventually, she switched to viola and joined her school’s advanced orchestra as well as the Anchorage Youth Symphony. She also participated in many bluegrass camps along the way, eventually becoming a volunteer student teacher alongside the camp teachers. Her experience with both classical and bluegrass music has given her the opportunity to perform at a variety of venues, including fairs and festivals, RockyGrass Bluegrass Music Festival as a fiddle competition finalist, and Carnegie Hall with the Honors Youth Orchestra.
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Throughout her college career and internship, Sarah has had a variety of clinical experiences, including working with children and teens with multiple disabilities, children living in a crisis care home, children with mental health needs, adults with intellectual and developmental delays, adults with a variety of comorbidities, and older adults with major neurocognitive disorders.
She has also volunteered at a summer camp in her hometown for children with autism, working alongside an interdisciplinary team.Outside of her work experience, Sarah actively seeks out opportunities for local performances and jam sessions. She enjoys creating art, putting together puzzles, and watching Netflix in her free time. She loves to travel when she can and has had the opportunity to travel internationally many times. Her favorite country she has been to is the Galapagos Islands, but outside of this, nothing can beat Walt Disney World.
Cherie riley, MT-BC
Music Therapist
Cherie Riley, LPMT-BC, is a licensed professional music therapist, board-certified. Cherie graduated from Drury University in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in Music Therapy. She previously had earned a bachelor’s degree from Missouri Southern State University in Economics and Finance with a minor in Vocal Music in 1999. After several years working as an inpatient financial counselor specialist at the hospital, she decided to pursue her first love, music.
Cherie took a leap of faith and went back to college full time to achieve her dream of helping people through music. She has spent the last several years working with a wide range of groups and individuals with music therapy including those with developmental disabilities, medical conditions, mental health disorders, dementia-related disorders, and many other challenges.
Cherie was born and raised in Carl Junction, MO and has lived in this area her whole life. When not working, she enjoys spending time with her family, reading, singing, and playing video games. Of course, she also loves music and learning new songs!
ALYSSA Garrison, MT-BC
Music Therapist
Alyssa Place, MT-BC, completed her Bachelor’s of Music Therapy degree at Drury University in 2025, as well as obtaining certificates in Celebrating Neurodiversity and Sports Leadership. Alyssa has a deep passion for working to create an environment where all individuals can work to achieve their goals and thrive. She completed her music therapy internship with Musical Bridges Music Therapy in Springfield, MO, working with clients of all ages and diagnoses. Settings varied, including schools, assisted living facilities, memory care units, early childhood development centers, and Mercy Hospital. She also had the opportunity to provide interdisciplinary therapy with several speech-language pathologists at the Arc of the Ozarks.
Alyssa has always loved music, often singing her words rather than speaking them when she was young. She jumped at opportunities to participate in choirs and musicals at school and church from five years old until graduation, and now helps lead worship at her church. In her free time, Alyssa enjoys spending time with friends and family, hiking, reading, watching gymnastics, and traveling.