UGA Music Therapy Program

Congratulations Celia Nowlin, MM, LPMT, MT-BC on a successful thesis defense yesterday! We’re so proud of the hard work that went into this study and defense!

Don’t forget out this free, in-person CMTE opportunity happening on Saturday!

Register for the course here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfVc1MD6Ou8ime43QaWIn7VfE09Ta9refQk_DMEr2YAcFwPnw/viewform?usp=publish-editor

Congratulations to Sean Ferencie, MT-BC on passing his board certification exam! In addition to passing his board exam, Sean has accepted a job at Triad Music Therapy in Atlanta, Georgia. We’re so proud of you and are excited to see what you do in the field!

As the spring 2026 Commencement “Georgia on My Mind” singer, Marianna Baccus, has now become part of a UGA Commencement musical tradition spanning six years.

Earning her degree in music therapy from the UGA Franklin College of Arts and Sciences' UGA Hugh Hodgson School of Music, Marianna learned how to use songs, lyrics and melodies as one-on-one interventions in healthcare settings. Making and listening to music in various forms can aid those receiving care for conditions such as autism or dementia and can improve mental and physical health, Baccus said. She has seen this in action through her clinical work, which she’ll continue at Arkansas Children's Hospital this fall.

Learn more about Marianna at the link below! 🔗

This spring, graduate student Celia Nowlin was selected to speak at TEDxUGA to share about how music can support overall well-being. Celia and her team from the New Media Institute worked for months to create this talk to help people see music in a new light.

TEDxUGA is a yearly event where students, professors, and members of the Athens Community come together to share their passions to create connection and start meaningful conversations.

Thank you, Celia, for being such a strong advocate for music therapy! We’re so proud of you and your TEDxUGA Talk!

Sophia Aiello, LPMT, MT-BC, is a board-certified music therapist and a second year master’s student studying music therapy at the University of Georgia. She interned at Birch Bay Retirement Village in Bar Harbor, Maine, primarily serving memory care patients. In addition to her graduate studies in music therapy, Sophia is completing a Certificate in Gerontology through the UGA College of Public Health, and has served as a teaching assistant for UGA practicum students, working with an inpatient recovery program in the Athens community. Sophia lives in Athens, GA with her husband and two cats and loves cheering on the Georgia Bulldogs!

Evolving Needs in Long-term Care: Music Therapy as Response is approved by the Certification Board for Music Therapists (CBMT) for 3 Continuing Music Therapy Education credits. The SER-AMTA # P-024, maintains responsibility for program quality and adherence to CBMT policies and criteria.

Interested? Resister at the link here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfVc1MD6Ou8ime43QaWIn7VfE09Ta9refQk_DMEr2YAcFwPnw/viewform?usp=publish-editor

On Friday, Professor Nichols presented about music therapy in stroke care at Piedmont Mountainside’s Stroke Conference in Jasper, GA. Thank you to Agnes Hollis, stroke coordinator, for the invitation!

Can’t get enough of Marianna’s “Georgia on My Mind” Performance? Neither can we!

Read more about her time at UGA and love for music here:

‘Georgia on My Mind’ singer uses talent to inspire and heal - UGA Today As the spring 2026 Commencement “Georgia on My Mind” singer, Marianna Baccus has now become part of a University of Georgia musical tradition.