Emily Mercado, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor of Choral Music Education and the Music Education Area Head 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 Research Studies in Music Education, Journal of Music Teacher Education, The British Journal of Music Education, 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 several state and regional music education conferences. Mercado currently serves as president on the ACDA-UT board. 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.

Midwest Clinic logo. 80th Annual. Photo of student flutist. December 16-18, 2026. Chicago, Illinois. Register now.
Images of university music students. 150 years of arts education. We are what's next in your musical journey. Shenandoah Conservatory has spent more than 150 years preparing students for successful careers in arts education, practice, and performance. Since our inception, our graduates have performed on the globe's greatest stages, propelled arts organizations, performed groundbreaking research, healed with music, and introduced countless students to music, theatre, and dance in classrooms and studios around the world. Shenandoah University logo.
Advance your music education career. Add your profile to the NAfME Career Center today. Image of choir and director.