Born and raised in Nassau, Bahamas, Laurelle Cartwright developed a love for music from an early age. She attended The Bahamas Government High School, where she played trombone as a member of the Performing Arts Department. In 2013, she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from The College of The Bahamas.

Laurelle spent five years as a music educator, beginning her teaching career at Central Abaco Primary School, where she established the school’s first marching band. She later taught at Harbour Island All Age School, where she created several musical groups, including a lower-primary handbell choir, upper-primary recorder and marimba group, goombay drum group, and school choir. These experiences helped shape her appreciation for the many ways music can foster creativity, confidence, connection, and a sense of belonging.

In 2018, Laurelle began her studies in Music Therapy at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina. During her training, she gained clinical experience working with individuals ranging from preschoolers to older adults with a variety of needs and in a variety of settings, including schools, community programs, outpatient clinic, and assisted living facilities. She completed her clinical internship with Trustbridge, Inc., providing music therapy services in homes, care centers, and assisted living facilities to older adults receiving hospice care.

In 2021, Laurelle earned the professional credential of Music Therapist-Board Certified (MT-BC) after passing the board-certification examination. She completed her Master of Music Therapy (MMT) degree in 2022, along with a certification in Emotional and Behavioral Disorders. In 2023, she completed advanced training in Neurologic Music Therapy, earning the credential of Neurologic Music Therapist (NMT).

Also in 2022, Laurelle was selected for a fellowship at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati, Ohio. There, she gained experience in medical music therapy, working primarily with patients in the Transitional Care Unit, Gastroenterology Unit, and Outpatient Clinic. Following her fellowship, Laurelle joined Appalachian State University as a Lecturer of Music Therapy, where she also served as Undergraduate Practicum Director and Music Therapy Clinic Coordinator.

Therapeutic Approach

At the heart of Laurelle’s work is a strong belief in the power of music to support well-being, connection, growth, and quality of life. Her therapeutic approach is integrative and grounded in the belief that meaningful care begins with meeting each person where they are.

Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, Laurelle draws from behavioral, developmental, relationship-centered, psychotherapeutic, neurologic, and other therapeutic approaches as appropriate to each client’s needs and goals. Individuality is valued, authenticity is encouraged, and each person is given space to participate in ways that feel meaningful and comfortable.

For Laurelle, music therapy is about more than playing instruments, singing, or moving to music—it is about building meaningful connections, creating opportunities for growth, and helping each person experience the benefits of music in a way that is uniquely their own.

A Little More about Laurelle

Laurelle loves dancing, listening to music, swimming, and watching movies. She also loves to laugh and be silly with her young clients. She believes that life is a journey made up of both big milestones and small moments of progress, and that a change in perspective can reveal new possibilities.

Two mottos that continue to guide her are:

“How you start doesn't determine how you end.”

and

“Even small steps move you forward.”

These beliefs reflect the same encouragement that Laurelle brings into her work with every client.