Marisa received her college degree in Music Performance & Education from California Polytechnic State University in 1999. In addition to private piano lessons, she student taught Musicianship courses and tutored in Music Theory and Piano Performance for the university music department. She also had the good fortune to teach music for Green Hills Elementary School in San Luis Obispo, grades K-6.

Marisa has composed for award-winning documentaries, television and short films, including the PBS documentary, “Crash Boats.” Her most recent project includes a CD collaboration with musician husband Jonathan Brownfield which features all original material written, recorded, and mixed in their professional home studio.

Awards and honors she has received include the Cal Poly Music Dept. Memorial Award, the Alice Parks Nelson Piano Scholarship, the Impenetrable Piano Analysis Award and the Harold P. & Rosalie Davidson Award.