Alissa has a long history of leading music in various churches along with her professional teaching employment. While doing her doctoral studies she was the music director at First Presbyterian in Monticello, Florida in the mid to late 1990s. She took a teaching position at San Francisco State University from 2001 - 2010 teaching voice and also worked as the choir director at Ocean Avenue Presbyterian Church. While at Ocean Avenue she worked with the minister and church to plan music appropriate to the scripture and theme of the services. She was also instrumental in planning and organizing praise concerts and fundraisers for specific causes such as Philippine Hurricane Relief and the San Francisco Safe House. Since coming to North Carolina, Alissa has served as director of music at Lakeside Fellowship Church in Mooresville.