Meet The Team
Meet Our Team!
Julie Cassity, MS, MT-BC
Music Therapist, Executive Director
Julie Cassity, MS, MT-BC, 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.
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.
Taylor Corcoran, MT-BC
Music Therapist
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Taylor J. Corcoran, MT-BC, a native of Springfield, Missouri, has been providing music therapy and music services to a variety of populations since 2016. Taylor grew up playing music with her family and church community, feeling called to use her passion for music to help others.
She discovered the vast impact of music on the whole person as she completed her bachelor’s degree in music therapy and minor in psychology at Drury University. Taylor then completed an extensive six-month internship at AdventHealth Orlando Hospital in Florida and obtained her certification in music therapy. Taylor previously worked at the Center for Music Therapy and Wellness from 2016 to 2018, before moving with her husband to the Washington D.C. area. There, she worked at Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center, providing music therapy services in their inpatient behavioral health unit and as a worship director at their local church. After moving back to Springfield in 2022, she was honored to return to the Center for Music Therapy and Wellness where she now provides services to individuals and groups, serviced both at the clinic and in the community.
Taylor is passionate about providing each client with individualized services, using current research to inform evidence-based practices, and utilizing continued education and mentorship to develop as a therapist. In her free time, Taylor enjoys spending time with her husband, trying out new recipes, and serving in the worship team at her church.
Sarah Bartholomew, MT-BC
Music Therapist
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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.
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.
Gabby Coffee, MT-BC
Music Therapist
Gabby went to Drury University after discovering music therapy, a field that catered to both of her passions; music and helping others.
She graduated with her music therapy degree and a psychology minor, completed her internship at the Center for Music Therapy and Wellness, worked as a music therapist at Easterseals in Poplar Bluff, and at a local preschool in Columbia, MO and is now very excited to go back to where it all began.
She loves helping people reach all kinds of goals with music and is so excited to be part of the team!
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!
IRELYNN HOLST, MT-BC
Music Therapist
Irelynn Holst, MT-BC graduated from Drury University with a bachelor’s degree in music therapy, minor in psychology, and certificate in celebrating neurodiversity. She has a passion for working with neurodiverse individuals, as seen through her capstone project: Raising Our Voice to Support Differences - Music Therapy and Neurodiversity. She completed her internship with Musical Bridges Music Therapy in Springfield, serving clients of all ages and diagnoses in a variety of settings including schools, early childhood development centers, assisted living facilities, memory care units, transitional housing, skilled nursing facilities, and special education programs. She enjoys both individual and group sessions, and she is skilled at building rapport with clients of all ages.
Irelynn has always had a deep love for music of all kinds, and she has been actively involved in choir, band, and musical theater throughout her life. She currently serves as a section leader in her church choir and loves to perform original compositions at open mic nights around town. In her freetime, Irelynn enjoys hiking, kayaking, art, traveling, and spending time with her friends, family, and cats. Irelynn is committed to working with her clients to create a safe, purposeful, and compassionate environment for music therapy services.