Morissa has played the cello for over 25 years, and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Specialized Studies in Ethnomusicology from Ohio University. She enjoys playing, teaching, and performing music in many genres, including: classical, jazz, contemporary, and Jewish. These days, you can often find her playing cello at Shabbat services at Congregation Beth Tikvah. 

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During her time at Ohio University, Morissa studied cello with Michael Carrera and was a member of the Ohio University Symphony Orchestra, cello choir, and various chamber music ensembles. Morissa served as the Editor and President (two terms) of Sigma Alpha Iota - Sigma Beta Chapter. She also served as President of ASTA, the college chapter of the American String Teachers Association. 

 

Prior to her studies at Ohio U, Morissa was a member of the Contemporary Youth Orchestra in Cleveland, Ohio, where she learned that strings could rock too -- and under the baton of Liza Grossman, played alongside legends Graham Nash of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, and Jon Anderson of YES. Morissa also was a 4 year member of the Shaker Heights High School Chamber Orchestra, where she was honored with the outstanding senior member award. 

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Morissa has taught cello lessons to students of all ages. 

"Ethnomusicology is the study of music in its social and cultural contexts. Ethnomusicologists examine music as a social process in order to understand not only what music is but what it means to its practitioners and audiences." - The Society for Ethnomusicology 

 

As an Ethnomusicologist, Morissa’s areas of research include: music of the Jewish community (conversos) during the Spanish inquisition, music of the Beta Israel of Ethiopia, modern Israeli hip hop and politics, as well as comparative Jewish music – examining how different Jewish composers, bands, and ensembles navigate text, prayer and music, all in their own unique ways. 

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