Album Notes

Colors of the Sky is my second album. This album took over two years to complete. The songs are intimate and speak of finding and losing love, and the adversity in life's struggles. I decided to experiment and add guitar leads and harmonies to enrich the songs.

I made this album in my apartment with a Fostex MR-8, which is an eight-track digital recorder. It allowed me the luxury and freedom to create at will, and not be confined to the studio. I wrote 11 of the 12 songs on the album. I would like to thank Jacqueline Casquero for allowing me to cover her beautiful song "You're My All". This album was a challenging experience for me, but very rewarding!. I would also like to thank Crazy Daisy Mastering for the wonderful job they did. Making Colors of the Sky was a wonderful experience, and I hope that comes through in the music!. I also hope that anyone who listens to it finds comfort and peace. Last but certainly not least, I would like to thank my friends and family for their support. And of course the people who purchase this album, you're support means so much!. You bring a smile to my face and brighten my day!.

Biography
Marissa: Singer, songwriter, Guitarist!

Born in May 1981, I grew up in a small town with a loving family and a multitude of pets. From an early age, music has always been a big part of my life.
My parents always had an eclectic mix of music playing albeit from archaic devices such as eight track tapes and even vinyl! I enjoyed singing to songs
on the radio. After I had expressed a genuine interest in music, my parents enrolled me in the Westchester Conservatory of Music. This was an incredibly
exciting time for me, as I received vocal training and met some very talented musicians. Additionally, I immersed myself in music in the Yonkers Public
Schools where I was always involved in music programs and was fortunate enough to be a featured soloist with the Yonkers All City Choir.

I am proud to say that I graduated from Gorton High School in 1999. While this is a mundane accomplishment for many, it was significant for me. You see,
I am totally blind in both eyes and was the first student in New York State in over twenty-four years to earn the coveted Regents Diploma without the benefit
of eyesight. The tenacity that my loving parents instilled in me helped me to earn a scholarship to Marymount Women's College at Fordham University in
Tarrytown, N.Y. There, I majored in psychology with a minor concentration in music. After hearing singer/songwriter Sarah McLachlan, I thought that maybe
I could be a songwriter too. In emulating Sarah's melodic musical style, I enrolled in piano and guitar lessons at college, while continuing to train with
other accomplished teachers on the weekends. After taking guitar for a year, I composed my first song "Rest" and performed it at our college talent show.
The enthusiastic response from the audience gave me confidence. I went on to write 23 more original songs.

After hearing several of my compositions, my family suggested I make a CD. In January of 2002, I went into the studio and put eight of my hand-crafted songs
onto disc. It was one of the most rewarding experiences I've ever had. The eight songs on this CD entitled "The Acoustic Experience," are deeply personal
and speak of comfort, loss, and wisdom we all experience as we journey through life. The response from family, friends, and my old choral director has
filled me with joy, and I hope that everyone who listens to my music finds solace and peace. I am currently attending the Fordham Graduate School of Social
Service. After graduation I plan to pursue a doctorial degree in social work and help others. There would be no greater reward than to use my music as
a tool of healing and to give back to society.