2025 NZNMEA Honor Choir

Emily Mercado, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor of Choral Music Education at The University of Utah where she teaches choral music education courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels, supervises music education student research, and conducts Voci Altissime, a treble voice choir. Mercado is an active conductor, clinician, adjudicator, and researcher. Her research has appeared in leading music education journals including Update: Applications of Research in Music Education and Arts Education Policy Review. Mercado has presented at the Society for Music Teacher Education Symposium, NAfME’s Research and Teacher Education National Conference, the American Education Research Association Annual Meeting, and state and regional music education conferences in Oregon, Louisiana, and Utah. Mercado currently serves on the ACDA-UT board and served on the Oregon Music Education Association and Oregon American Choral Directors Association boards for eight years. Mercado is also actively involved in developing community partnerships with area schools.

Mercado received a Ph.D. in Music Education from Louisiana State University, a Master of Arts in Teaching degree from Oregon State University, and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Oregon State University. Prior to joining the faculty at The University of Utah, Mercado taught choir for nine years at Crescent Valley High School and Cheldelin Middle School in Corvallis, OR. Mercado also held the post of Associate Conductor of the Corvallis Repertory Singers.