Our Team
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™
Team Leader/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.
Rachel Wilder, MT-BC, NMT™
Neurologic Music Therapist™
Specialties:
Sensory regulation and coping skills
Early intervention
Assisted Living and Rehabilitation
Adolescent and Adult mental health, including depression, eating disorders, and anxiety
Neurodivergence and developmental disorders
Rachel is a board-certified Music Therapist from Charlotte, North Carolina. She holds a bachelor of music in Music Therapy from Queens University of Charlotte, then received additional training in Neurologic Music Therapy® in 2024. Rachel completed her internship at Medical University of South Carolina, where she worked individually with adults of various backgrounds, ability levels, and diagnoses, and in group environments in memory care units for older adults. Rachel has gained experience working with adolescents and young adults with behavioral health goals in residential and outpatient settings before diversifying her scope to provide services to children and adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities, Autism, Alzheimer’s, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, and ADHD.
Rachel values the unique connections people have with music, with themselves, and with the world around them. Growing up playing guitar and performing music locally, she wondered how music could further benefit the Whole Person in reaching their goals and achieving the (seemingly) impossible - propelling her on her path to becoming a music therapist.
Outside of work, Rachel loves exploring the Nashville music scene, grabbing some local barbecue, and thrifting!
Rachel currently lives in Nashville, TN.
Sofia Casasola Wust, MT
Staff Music Therapist
Specialties:
Bilingual (Spanish and English)
Autism, intellectual and developmental disorders
Extensive voice training/teaching experience
Communication and expressive language skills
Community-based groups and group facilitation
Originally from Costa Rica and Spain, Sofia joined Musical Bridges in January 2026. She graduated from the University of Indianapolis with a Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy and is currently board-eligible. Sofia completed her clinical internship at Meaningful Day Services.
Sofia has worked with a wide range of populations, including individuals with autism, IDD, ADHD, Down Syndrome, oncology, and Alzheimer’s/Dementia. As a bilingual professional and skilled international singer, she is passionate about providing culturally-responsive care to Spanish-speaking communities. Sofia believes in honoring the unique way each person connects with the world through music.
Sofia joined the Musical Bridges team in January 2026. Now a resident of Nashville, she spends her time outside of work exploring her new hometown and enjoying the company of family and friends.
Dakota Terhaar
Lessons Instructor/Contractor
Specialties:
Viola/Violin
Piano
Guitar/Ukulele
Dakota is a multi-instrumentalist and educator specializing in viola, violin, piano, guitar, and ukulele, with a strong foundation in both performance and pedagogy. She is currently pursuing a degree in Music Therapy at Belmont University, where she is expanding her clinical and educational skill set.
She holds an AA in Liberal Arts with an emphasis in Fine Arts and has completed three years of commercial music studies, in addition to more than 10 years of formal music training. Her background includes extensive experience in orchestral, chamber, choral, and contemporary performance, as well as numerous regional and state-level honors in viola performance.
As an educator, she brings over six years of teaching experience, working with students ages 4 through adult at beginner and intermediate levels. She has successfully taught students with Tourette syndrome, anxiety, and other developmental delays, adapting lessons to meet individual learning styles and sensory needs. Her teaching philosophy is student-centered and strengths-based, emphasizing patience, flexibility, and confidence-building while maintaining clear technical foundations.
Dakota is experienced in preparing students for recitals, selecting individualized instructional materials, and fostering supportive relationships with students and families. By blending classical training, contemporary music studies, and music therapy principles, she creates an inclusive, encouraging learning environment where students of all abilities can thrive.
Dakota currently lives in Nashville, TN.
Meet the Board
Faith Zishiri- Member
Catherine Moore- Treasurer
Wesley Williams- Vice President
Maggie Sandwith- Secretary
Raeya Chourasia- Junior Board
Melissa Humphries- President