Marissa Taylor Adams

Address: 304 Old South High St., Harrisonburg, VA 22801

Phone: 540.808.6035
E-mail: marissajmu@gmail.com
Website: marissaadams.weebly.com
Education
08/2019- James Madison University
05/2023 Bachelor of Music
• Concentration: Vocal Music Education
• Relevant coursework: MUS 150 Intro to Technology Applications in Music; MUED 271 Music
Education: A Professional Choice; EDUC 300 Foundations of American Education; PSYC 160
Lifespan Human Development; MUED 273 Music Education: A Professional Practice; LED
420 Content Area Literacy; MUS 317 Basic Conducting; MUS 318 Intermediate Conducting;
MUS 477 Vocal Pedagogy; MUS 441 Vocal Arranging; MUED 206 Instrumental Music
Methods for Vocal MUED; MUED 380 Music in the Elementary School; MUED 372 General
Music Practices; MUED 471 School Musical/Jazz/Show Choir; MUED 376 Choral Music,
Materials, and Techniques
08/2015- Blacksburg High School
05/2019 Advanced Studies High School Diploma
• Member of 2 Choral Ensembles
• Tri-M Music Honor Society, American Sign Language National Honor Society,
National Thespian Society

Work Experience
07/2020- Sole Business Owner, Darling Dynamo
Present Online, Based in Harrisonburg, Virginia
• Creating unique brand visions that align with my personal values of ethical responsibility and
sustainability.
• Designing products and art through ProCreate and GoDaddy Studio, and bringing those
products to life through various distribution channels
• Working alongside distributors that value ethical and sustainable responsibility in the
workplace to ensure the products I sell are responsibly made
• Handmaking jewelry and painting products
• Keeping track of inventory and product stock online
• Individually packaging products and orders for shipping
• Handling and designing my website and unique domain to drive traffic and keep a pleasing
appearance and online presence
04/2020- Student Office Assistant, JMU School of Music Office
Present Harrisonburg, Virginia
• Print, staple, and deliver performance programs for the Forbes Center of the Performing Arts
• Assist in running the reception desk: answering calls, helping visitors
• Usher concerts and performances for the Forbes Center of the Performing Arts
• Work alongside the office team to ensure smooth completion of daily tasks
06/2019- Social Media Content Creator
Present Online, Based in Harrisonburg, Virginia
• Plan, set up, capture, and edit photos and videos surrounding a specific concept
• Work closely with brands and businesses to ensure the content exceeds the brand’s vision
• Posting and interacting daily with multiple social channels and their audiences
• Using various editing software like Adobe Lightroom, VideoLeap, Final Cut Pro,
GoDaddyStudio, and Canvas

06/2018- Shift Leader and Sales Associate, Sugar Magnolia Sweets and Gift Shop
 Adams, p. 2

08/2021 Blacksburg, Virginia

• Serving ice cream, chocolates, and candy behind the counter to customers
• Overseeing employees during work shifts to make sure everything goes smoothly and is
executed correctly
• Working with customers to ensure they have a pleasant experience in store
• Closing cash registers and assuring our money is all accounted for; and making trips to the
bank on behalf of the store to restock the registers with cash
• Closing and opening the store (locking doors, cleaning tables and floors, restocking items,
taking inventory)

Leadership Opportunities
08/2022- Undergraduate Arranger
Present James Madison University Steel Band
01/2019- Musical Theatre Teacher’s Assistant
05/2019 Blacksburg High School
09/2018- Teacher Cadet
06/2019 K-5 Elementary General Music, Blacksburg, Virginia
08/2017- Church Choir Cantor
08/2019 Blacksburg, Virginia

Ensemble Experience
08/2022- Steel Band
Present James Madison University
01/2021- The Madison Singers
Present James Madison University
08/2020- The JMU Chorale
12/2021 James Madison University
08/2020- Treble Chamber Choir
05/2021 James Madison University
a

08/2019- University Chorus – Soprano/Alto

05/2020 James Madison University
2018- Virginia All-State Choir
2019 2nd Delegate, Mixed Choir
09/2017- Madrigals (High School A Cappella Chamber Group)
06/2019 Blacksburg High School
09/2015- Concert Choir
09/2017 Blacksburg High School
03/2015 American Choral Directors Association National Honor Choir
Salt Lake City, Utah
2014- All-District Choir
2019 District 6, Virginia

Performance Experience
11/2022 Ensemble performance with Tenebrae and The Madison Singers
James Madison University
02/2022 Ensemble performance with The Kings Singers and The Madison Singers
James Madison University
09/2021 Ensemble performance with The High Kings and The Madison Singers
 Adams, p. 3

James Madison University

03/2020 The role of Hansel, from “Night Prayer, Act II Scene II” Hansel and Gretel
James Madison University, Opera Guild
03/2020 Ensemble, "Belle” from Beauty and The Beast
James Madison University, Opera Guild
05/2018 Millie, Thoroughly Modern Millie
Blacksburg High School
11/2016 Soloist with Sarah Hart (singer, songwriter)
St. Mary’s Catholic Church
03/2015 Ensemble performance with The Mormon Tabernacle Choir
Salt Lake City Utah

Memberships, Affiliations, and Awards

10/2022 Women in Entrepreneurship Showcase Member
James Madison University
2019 - American Choral Directors Association (ACDA)
Present
2021 - Women in Business (WIB)
Present James Madison University

Special Skills and Certifications

•Child Abuse and Neglect Recognizing, Reporting and Responding for Educators
•Dyslexia Certification
•CPR/AED/First-Aid Training
•Restraint and Seclusion Training
•Advanced Keyboard Skills Exam
•Keyboard Proficiency Exam
•Kognito Mental Health Identification Training
•Kognito Sexual Misconduct Training
•Cultural Competency Training
•Ukulele and Steel Pans
•Tap and Jazz dancing
•Sibelius Score-writing Software
•Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
•Final Cut Pro (Video and Special Effects)
•Squarespace (Website and E-Commerce)

References
Dr. Jo-Anne van der Vat-Chromy | Director of Choral Activities | James Madison University
• vanderjx@jmu.edu
Brenda K. Witmer | Vocal Studio Professor | James Madison University
• witmerbk@jmu.edu
Michelle Raub | Owner of Sugar Magnolia | Blacksburg, Virginia
• michelle@sugarmagnoliashops.com