Our Staff
Melissa Humphries, MT-BC, NMT
Founder/Neurologic Music Therapist
Specialties:
Support of total communication through sign language, AAC device, or verbally
Child Development
Autism and developmental disorders
Emotional Regulation
Academic goals
Supervision and mentorship
Melissa is a board-certified Music Therapist, and Founder/Clinical Director of Musical Bridges. She specializes in the treatment of individuals with autism and developmental disorders. She has been practicing since 2005 and holds a bachelor of Music Therapy degree from Tennessee Technological University. Melissa received additional training in Neurologic Music Therapy in 2022. Melissa has worked at numerous centers and schools that treat individuals with autism and related disabilities throughout Middle Tennessee.
Melissa has experience with a wide variety of clientele including autism, Cerebral Palsy, down syndrome, ADHD, learning differences, the elderly, physical rehabilitation, hearing impaired, visually impaired, and medical issues. She has a passion for the youngest learners as well as developing the child/parent and sibling bond.
Melissa has presented numerous workshops at the state level on topics including music therapy and autism and creative therapy processes. Melissa is involved in the state Music Therapy organization, previously serving as President and Treasurer. She serves on the Task Force to further advocacy. Melissa is a member of the American Music Therapy Association and the Certification Board for Music Therapists.
In her free time, she likes to travel with her husband and spend time outdoors.
Melissa currently resides in Brentwood, TN.
Lydia Lowery, MT-BC, NMT
Neurologic Music Therapist
Specialties:
Sensory regulation and coping skills
Autism and developmental disorders
Gestalt Language Processing
Expressive communication skills
Executive functioning skills
Leading social groups
Family and client resource creation
Lydia is a board-certified Music Therapist from Boaz, Alabama. She holds a bachelor of music in Music Therapy from Mississippi University for Women. Lydia received additional training in Neurologic Music Therapy in 2023. Lydia completed her internship at Easter Seals Midwest Autism services where she worked with a wide variety of clients varying in age, background, and abilities. She has experience with autism, developmental disabilities, Alzheimer's disease, and working in the school system.
Lydia brings a unique perspective to providing Music Therapy. She started her journey to becoming a Music Therapist after receiving Music Therapy in her teen years during treatment for cancer. Following remission, Lydia began her new path in the field of Music Therapy. Due to this introduction to the profession, Lydia is passionate about empowering clients through Music Therapy as her Music Therapist did for her. Lydia has worked for Musical Bridges since January 2023 as a staff therapist.
Outside of work, Lydia enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, traveling to historic sites, and going to antique and thrift stores.
Lydia currently resides in Nashville, TN.
Proctor Lankford, MT-BC, NMT
Neurologic Music Therapist
Specialties:
Mental health support
Expressive communication
Gross motor movement
Adaptive voice lessons
Songwriting
Caregiver/child bonding
Creative expression
Proctor is a board-certified Music Therapist from Seneca, Missouri. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Therapy from The University of Kansas, and has worked primarily with children with disabilities. Proctor received additional training in Neurologic Music Therapy in 2024. She completed her internship with the Banner-University Medical Center Phoenix. This provided her with a unique skill set, as she was unable to sing in sessions for the entirety of her internship. Populations served included adults of varying medical needs, including but not limited to: transplant recipients, mental health, surgical patients, and post-Covid patients.
Proctor has provided services to individuals of all ages with autism, down syndrome, memory care, rehabilitative settings, and crisis settings. She has yet to find a population in Music Therapy that she does not thoroughly enjoy working with, and is passionate about providing a safe and supportive environment for children of all abilities in need of mental health support. Proctor has worked for Musical Bridges since September 2023 as a staff therapist.
In her free time, Proctor can be found baking breads and sweets, painting with her watercolors, or engulfed in a good book.
Proctor currently resides in Nashville, TN.