Catherine Backus, MT-BC

Catherine Backus is a Board Certified Music Therapist, certified Neurologic Music Therapist, and award winning songwriter.

Catherine graduated from the University of Georgia and completed her Music Therapy internship with Four Seasons Hospice in Flat Rock, NC. She has advanced training and a certification in Neurologic Music Therapy from the Academy of Neurologic Music Therapy. She spent her early career working with older adults and persons with intellectual and developmental disability in the Adult Day setting, before fate and a desire to get back to her Music Therapy roots brought her to Anderson Music Therapy Services. Catherine is especially knowledgeable in using music to empower people with dementia, age-related illnesses, advanced illnesses, and end of life care.

Catherine has been singing since before she could talk. She began writing songs on guitar at the age of twelve and now plays a variety of instruments, including trumpet, piano, banjo, and mandolin. (She's an amazing guitar teacher!)

While her musical preferences most closely align with the elderly (who doesn't love a good jazz standard!), Catherine loves making music with people across the age spectrum.

Fun fact about Catherine: She's a native East Tennesseean who loves Pat Summitt and Dolly Parton with all her heart!