A gifted singer and minister, Julissa draws on her Puerto Rican heritage as she passionately shares her faith with both Spanish and English-speaking audiences around the world.

Also an author and speaker, it is music for which Julissa is best known. Her industry accolades include multiple nominations for the Billboard Latin Music Awards, Dove Awards, Premios Paoli and Premios Arpa. She has toured extensively, performing for sold-out audiences throughout Europe, Latin America and the United States and singing for the National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C. under former President Bush and President Obama.

Julissa first became involved with music as a child, singing in her local church choir. By age 16, she was performing with the Christian music group, "Chosen Generation," with whom she eventually recorded several albums. It was during those recordings that Julissa met her future husband, renowned Puerto Rican music producer Mike Rivera.

A versatile artist, Julissa is comfortable performing in any genre, from pop ballads to rhythmic melodies. Her songs, including "Con Cada Latido" (With Every Heart Beat), "Te Prometo" (I Promise), "El No Pereció," (He's Alive) and "Enamorada" (Embrace Me), have  made her one of the most sought-after female artists in Latin Christian Music.

Julissa’s extensive discography includes: Regresará por Mi (He Will Return For Me), En Las Alas Del Amor  (On The Wings of Love), Duetos (Duets), Mi Propósito (My Purpose), El Ritmo de La Vida  (The Rhythm of Life), Adorándote (Worshipping You) and Forever, her first English language project. The 3-song English EP, which was produced by Pete Oquendo, features songs penned by Jason Ingram, Mia Fieldes and Eric Lopez.  

Julissa has also written a motivational book for teens and young adults titled "El Ritmo de la Vida" that she released through Thomas Nelson Publishers.  And she is the host of "Espiritu Latino" (Latin Spirit), a weekly program on the Gospel Music Channel.  

A native of Chicago, Julissa now resides in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania where she and Michael serve as youth pastors at El Shaddai Bethlehem Ministries.  The couple, who have been married since 1997, have three children.