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Finding her voice: Inspired by how music helped her grandmother, Alyssa Muñiz uses her musical talents to help people with Alzheimer’s, disabilities and trauma
Posted in: Arts, University
This story is part of a series celebrating Montclair State University’s Spring Commencement 2025 graduates – students who embody the University’s mission to broaden access to exceptional learning opportunities and contribute to the common good.
Growing up in Union, New Jersey, Alyssa Muñiz dreamed of a life onstage – and she made it happen.
From touring internationally with Norwegian Cruise Lines to starring in an Off-Broadway show and even performing at legendary New York City venues like 54 Below, Birdland and the Blue Note, Muñiz built an impressive career in the performing arts.
But after the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Muñiz found herself asking a big question: Was there something more?
“I love music, and I love singing,” Muñiz says, “but I just felt like something was missing.”
That’s when she stumbled upon music therapy – a field where she could use her talents not just to entertain, but to heal.
At 32, Muñiz will receive her Bachelor of Arts in Music Therapy along with fellow College of the Arts graduates.
Muñiz found a free music therapy course online and found her calling. So, when it came time to formally study music therapy, Muñiz knew exactly where she wanted to go.
“I always wanted to go to Montclair,” she says. “It’s a beautiful campus, and the music therapy program is incredible. All our professors are literally in the textbooks we read – the profession is blooming right now.”
Muñiz was accepted to both Montclair State University and Berklee College of Music, but ultimately chose Montclair for its congenial community, hands-on learning and proximity to New York City’s endless opportunities.
“I found it to be really welcoming,” she says. “The professors are so approachable and down-to-earth.”
She also found a welcoming culture and opportunities for growth. “What I found was a real community – people I could lean on. Montclair did a great job of helping me stretch, expand and find my voice again.”
Associate Professor of Music in Music Therapy Michael Viega says: “Alyssa has always brought her full life experience to her training as a music therapist. As a musician she is exceptional, able to play in many styles with fluidity and competence. She has been a mentor to many, with her inquisitive but grounded insight.”
Today, Muñiz is completing her music therapy internship at the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, where she works with a wide range of populations, including kindergarten to fifth-grade students with ADHD, disabilities or trauma, adults with disabilities and seniors with Alzheimer’s.
“Music is this amazing thing,” she reflects. “When my grandma had Alzheimer’s, we used music to help change her mood, even help her eat. Now, every day, I see how music therapy impacts people’s lives.”
Her journey has come full circle. Looking back, Muñiz realizes that even her earlier performing roles – in Pip’s Island and Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood Live! – had elements of music therapy built in through its messages of emotional learning and connection.
“I’m doing what I love,” she says. “It’s so rewarding.”
Viega says he can’t wait to see where Muñiz’s career takes her. “She is going to be a wonderful music therapist filled with care, empathy and love for health and humanity.”
After graduating, Muñiz plans to become board-certified and work as a music therapist or start her own private practice specializing in music therapy for Alzheimer’s patients, their caregivers and even performers struggling with confidence.
“I’m so confident in what I’m doing now,” she says. “Music therapy is powerful, and I’m ready to take it wherever it’s needed – whether that means finding a job or creating my own opportunities.”
And when she walks across the stage, it will symbolize much more than earning a degree. She knows her family and boyfriend, Montclair alumnus Wesley DeSouza ’16, will celebrate her achievement – and so will she. During her academic career, Muñiz has supported herself through commercial advertising work, performances and even bartending, all in addition to her internship.
“I’m really proud of myself,” she says. “I did this all on my own. When I throw my cap in the air, I’m going to cry like a baby because it’s been 15 years of hustling – and now, I can finally breathe.”
The University will celebrate its graduates at Commencement exercises on Wednesday, May 7 and Thursday, May 8, 2025, at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
Story by Sylvia A. Martinez, University Communications and Marketing
Interested in Studying Music Therapy at Montclair?
If you’re a music student who wants world-class training and the opportunity to make a real impact, the Music Therapy program at the John J. Cali School of Music could be for you.
Prospective Student or Parent? Learn more about College of the Arts programs or apply to Montclair State University.
Journalist?
Contact the Media Relations team for assets or to schedule an interview with a graduating student.
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How A Professional Singer Found Her Calling In Music Therapy At Montclair State University – Press Room – Montclair State University
