Retired Special Agent Clarissa Balmaseda spent 28 years in federal law enforcement with the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation.  Clarissa was assigned as the Attaché at the US Embassy in London where she had oversight of all IRS criminal investigations in the UK, Europe, Middle East and Africa.  She was technical advisor to the US Ambassador, Deputy Chief of Mission, Consular General and foreign government law enforcement leaders on matters concerning complex tax fraud and money laundering crimes associated with significant narcotic, organized crime corruption and terrorist related investigations.  During her tenure with the US Embassy, Clarissa managed to continue her passion for music.  She was a member of a rock band called the “Embassy Band,” where they performed at the US Embassy’s pub as well as the Tower of London’s exclusive Yeoman Warder’s Club. 

A native of southern California, Clarissa is a self-taught pianist and is inspired by classical, jazz, as well as the music of Steely Dan, Supertramp, and Elton John.  In the 90s, she played at various venues including the premier opening for the cast of “Angels in America” at the Los Angeles Mark Taper Forum.  She also did a brief stint as the pianist for a local L.A. band called “She Knows,” which performed at various local bars throughout the South Bay area. 

Upon retirement from her career in the public and private sector, Clarissa decided to pursue and focus on her passion for music full time in 2019 – composing and arranging music for artists, radio, TV, theater and film projects.