About Me!
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Hello there and welcome to my page!
I'm a Jazz&Blues Vocalist/Actress based in NYC. Originally hailing from Harrisburg, Pa, I've called New York my home for over a decade now!
My Foundation:
Alissa earned her Bachelors in Music, Voice Performance from SUNY Fredonia, where she was classically trained. It was at Fredonia where she realized her love for musical theatre and jazz. She was lucky enough to pursue all 3 under the guidance of World Renowned Mezzo Delia Wallis, Jazz Great Baritone Saxophonist Bruce Johnstone as well as Incredibly Supportive Faculty of the School of Theatre and Dance. From there, Alissa attended Manhattan School of Music where she earned her Masters in Music in Jazz Voice. She was fortunate to study under Peter Eldridge of the New York Voices and Grammy Nominated Kate McGarry and Acclaimed Theo Bleckman.
Accomplishments:
Cut to now, Alissa has competed as a finalist on Showtime at the Apollo!, has Two Off Broadway shows under her belt, recorded and worked with Graham Russell of Air Supply, appeared in a National SpecialK Commercial, a short for Adult Swim, guest starred in A Japanese TV Movie (Natsu no Owari ni, Koi wo Shita) and is now on Japanese Wikipedia! She is also a Proud member of Actors' Equity and is SAG-AFTRA Eligible.
Last Fall Alissa was invited to perform for the 50th Anniversary of the Rockefeller Arts Center at SUNY Fredonia, where she had the distinct honor of performing "At Last" with a full string orchestra. She closed 2019 singing as a soloist with the Western New York Chamber Orchestra and their Poinsettia Pops Concert in Jamestown, NY.
Pre-Pandemic:
You could find Alissa performing the Last Sunday of Every Month at Tomi Jazz with the Kengo Yamada Quintet and on Tuesdays at The Dead Poet with her guitar duo.
Which leads me to, "what is she doing now?" ------------------------------------>
Mid-Pandemic............
As most performers whose lives were turned upside down by Covid-19, Alissa has been yearning for the time when she is able to return to the stage, the jazz clubs and bars, and even the Audition Room!
Since she felt it necessary to find a safe haven, Alissa found refuge back at home in Harrisburg with her parents. They happen to have a Beautiful Upright Yamaha. So, she's been using this time to strengthen her piano/accompaniment skills!
You can check her out on Instagram, under the handle- @Songbyrde, where she has started a series #coronaaccompaniment !
Speaking of sharpening a skill-set, Alissa has also been taking a TV/Film Acting Class via Zoom with Chris Russell.
**Check out her some of her scene work from class under "Acting Reels"!
She's Keeping Busy and Staying Active for when the industry returns so she can get back to doing what she loves!