Meet Elissa Carmona

We were lucky to catch up with Elissa Carmona recently and have shared our conversation below.

Elissa, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

My journey to finding my purpose wasn’t linear, but music was always a guiding light. As a teen mom and high school dropout, life was filled with obstacles, however, music gave me a sense of direction and something to hold on to. After serving in the Air Force, I came back to NYC, earned two degrees, and worked in the nonprofit sector. Despite the success I found in those areas, something was missing. I hadn’t been performing in over a decade.

In 2016, I founded Morrisania Band Project (MBP) to offer local musicians a platform and to connect with my community. Growing up in one of NYC’s most underserved areas, I wanted to create a space where music could bring people together, foster well-being, and inspire change. Over time, I realized that MBP was just the beginning of something bigger. My true purpose was to use music to empower others.

This led to the creation of “Sing with SOUL” in 2020, a program that helps seniors combat isolation through music. This initiative allowed me to see firsthand how music could bring healing, connection, and joy to those who need it most. The more I’ve worked with both MBP and “Sing with SOUL”, the more I’ve come to understand that my purpose is to use my story of overcoming obstacles and defying expectations to uplift and empower others through music.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I’m the founder of Morrisania Band Project (MBP) and “Sing with SOUL”. My brand is built on empowering others through music, and creating spaces where creativity can thrive and healing can happen.

MBP is an award-winning collective that gives local musicians a platform to perform and connect with communities across NYC and beyond. We’ve been recognized as “Best Cover Band in the Bronx” for 2022 and 2023, and I was honored to be named “Best Singer in the Bronx” for 2024. Through MBP, we’ve headlined major events like the New York Yankees’ Opening Day and the NYC Marathon, and we’ve collaborated with local organizations to bring our music to a wider audience.

I created “Sing with SOUL” to address senior isolation. The program has had a significant impact, using music to improve the physical, mental, and social well-being of older adults. Through “Sing with SOUL”, I’ve worked with countless individuals and organizations to create connections and bring joy to senior communities.

This year, I’m launching the “2025 Soul Expedition” concert series with MBP, beginning with 15 live concerts and continuing our monthly residency at The Artist. This series will focus on expanding MBP’s reach across NYS and celebrating artistic diversity through cultural programming. Additionally, MBP is developing “From R&B to Jazz: A Musical Journey”, a project blending jazz into our repertoire, starting with a spring residency in New Orleans.

My mission is to use music to inspire, empower, and heal people across NYC and beyond.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Throughout my journey, the three qualities that have been most impactful for me are resilience, adaptability, and the ability to connect with others.

Resilience: Life has thrown plenty of curveballs, but each setback made me stronger. My advice is to keep going, no matter how tough it gets. Learn from failures and don’t let them stop you.

Adaptability: Being able to adjust to new opportunities has been a game-changer for me. Embrace change, try new things, and be open to learning.

Connection: Music is how I connect with others. Building relationships and creating community are everything. My advice is to invest in genuine connections; they’ll support you when it counts.

For anyone starting their journey, focus on bouncing back, rolling with the changes, and staying connected to people and purpose. Keep pushing forward. You’ve got this!

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

Absolutely! Collaboration is at the heart of my work. I’m seeking partnerships with businesses and visionary leaders who align with my values of authenticity, inclusion, and creativity.

For Morrisania Band Project (MBP), I’m looking for high-profile opportunities to inspire through live music at events like corporate gatherings, fundraisers, and cultural celebrations. Sponsorships that support our “2025 Soul Expedition” concert series and expand our reach to premier stages across the country are especially welcome.

For “Sing with SOUL”, I want to connect with senior centers, wellness organizations, and innovators passionate about using music as a tool for connection and healing. This program has immense potential, with plans to expand to New Orleans this spring and beyond.

I value partnerships that are clear and straightforward, allowing both sides to thrive without unnecessary hurdles. If this resonates with you, let’s connect.

📖 Learn more about my journey: https://morrisaniaband.elissassolutions.com/bios
🎶 Upcoming events: https://morrisaniaband.elissassolutions.com/calendar
💜 Support our mission: https://venmo.com/u/MorrisaniaBand
🌟 Explore “Sing with SOUL”: https://morrisaniaband.elissassolutions.com/sws

Let’s use music to empower, unite, and inspire. Together, we can create something extraordinary.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Angelique Vazquez
Mercy University
BronxNet

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