Alyssa Cabassa is a spirited Puerto-Rican violist from Northern Virginia and Maryland. Some of her performances have included playing in ensembles at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall, Millennium Stage, and the Bulgarian Embassy in Washington, D.C. Alyssa has also performed in multiple prestigious masterclasses alongside musicians such as Daniel Foster, Karen Johnson, the Aizuri Quartet, and the Jasper Quartet. In addition, Alyssa performs as the principal violist of the Mason Symphony Orchestra. In 2023 and 2024, she was accepted with free tuition to attend the Summer Music Institute at the Kennedy Center where she can study hands-on with National Symphony Orchestra musicians. Alyssa is also an avid educator and pedagogue and serves as vice president of the American String Teachers Association chapter at George Mason University. She has been awarded multiple scholarships to pursue her music degree; some include the Presidential Scholarship during her time at Shenandoah Conservatory, and the Monson and Aitel Music Scholarships at George Mason University where she currently studies. Alyssa is pursuing her Bachelor of Music under the instruction of Nana Vaughn and is double majoring in viola performance as well as music education.