2023-2024 NER-AMTAS Board
President - Alayah Tedder
Voice
Alayah (she/they) is 23 years old and is originally from Durham, NC, and is a rising senior at Berklee College of Music. In the future, she hopes to work in a hospital with the NICU population, or pediatrics in general.
Fun Fact: Alayah boxed for a year, and started practicing yoga 3 months ago!
President-Elect - Caera Duffy
Flute
Caera (she/her) from Monson, MA, is 20years old and attending Westfield State University in the class of 2027. Her principle instrument is the flute, and she aims to pursue music therapy in child and adolescent behavioral health.
Fun Fact: Caera loves lavender oat milk lattes!
Vice President of Berklee College of Music -Jan Portisch
Upright Bass
Jan Portisch (he/him) is 28 years old and was raised in Köln, Germany. He is a class of 2026 music therapy major at Berklee College of Music. After college, Jan hopes to work in Medical Music Therapy or Hospice. Jan's primary instrument is upright bass!
Fun Fact: Jan has an identical twin!
Vice President of Lesley College - Emma Smith
Voice
Emma (she/her) is 24 years old, and is from Baltimore, Maryland. She is a class of 2026 student in the Music Therapy program at Lesley University, with voice as her primary instrument. After graduation she has hopes to work with children in school and hospital settings.
Fun Fact: Emma started to learn how to crochet this past summer!
Vice President of Southern Connecticut State University - Gager Collier
Bass Guitar
Gager (he/him) is 26 years old and is from Mystic, CT. He is currently studying music therapy at Southern Connecticut State University which is located in New Haven, Connecticut. Gager wants to work with neurodivergent youth and individuals who struggle with trauma once he graduates in 2026.
Fun Fact: Gager loves works of science fiction and fantasy as well as gaming with his friends!
Vice President of University of Rhode Island - Ally Campbell
Amplified Voice
Ally Campbell (she/they) is 21 years old. She attends the University of Rhode Island, in the class of 2026, but is originally from Glastonbury, CT. Ally's primary instrument is amplified voice, with a focus on musical theater voice. In the future, she hopes to work in Medical and Early Intervention Music Therapy.
Fun Fact: Ally plays the flute, loves sewing her own clothes, and has two adorable dogs, Skittles and Luna.
Vice President of Westfield State University - Maddy Kolb
Viola
Maddy Kolb (she/her) is 20 years old and is from Denton, Texas. She is currently studying music therapy at Westfield State University. After graduating in 2027, Maddy hopes to work in NICU Music Therapy. Maddy's primary instrument is the viola!
Fun Fact: Maddy's current favorite artist is Laufey!
Secretary - Sam LaGrasse
Amplified Voice
Sam LaGrasse (she/her) is 20 years old and from North Kingstown, Rhode Island. She is a class of 2027 student at University of Rhode Island, and her primary instrument is amplified voice. After graduation, Sam would love to work with young children in social emotional learning, and young adults in mental health. Ultimately, her career goal is to research how music therapy can help mothers and children who are victims of domestic violence.
Fun Fact: Sam worked at a summer camp for the first time this past summer!
Treasurer - Wendy Feng
Voice
Wendy (she/her) is 25 years old and is from Vancouver, Canada. She is studying music therapy at Berklee College of Music, minoring in psychology. She will be graduating in May 2025 and would love to work in a medical setting.
Fun Fact: Wendy loves reading novels, and her favorite book is Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice!
Public Relations Chair - Joey-Lynn Mills
Guitar
Joey-Lynn (she/her) is 18 years old and is from Colchester, Connecticut. She is a class of 2028 student in the music therapy program at Westfield State University. After graduation, Joey-Lynn hopes to work in inpatient mental health music therapy. Joey-Lynn's primary instrument is the guitar.
Fun Fact: Joey-Lynn has a total of 7 dogs (soon to be 8), and one cat.
Chair of Advocacy - Carrie Sullivan
Voice
Carrie (she/her) is from Berkley, MA and will be entering her internship in the 2024-2025 year. Carrie is a classical singer with a passion for advocacy and community building. Throughout practicum experiences at URI, she has had the opportunity to work with early intervention, school-based clients, adults with disabilities, and adults in inpatient behavioral health.
Fun Fact: Carrie is a double major in Spanish and has had the opportunity to provide bilingual services to clients and families!
Parliamentarian - Alianna LeClair
Voice and Euphonium
Alianna (they/she) is 23 years old and is from Worcester, MA. They transferred from Anna Maria College to Westfield State University, where they have completed their required coursework in 2024 as a music therapy major and psychology minor. They are now completing their internship at Berkshire Hills Music Academy in South Hadley, MA working with young adults in a post-secondary school setting who have intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Fun Face: Alianna loves to roller skate in their spare time and collect lots of cute rocks!
