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.

March 2026 Music Educators Journal
Image of Hilton at Long Beach. September 30-October 3. 2026 Biennial NAfME Music Research and Teacher Education Conference. Early bird deadline August 12. Hotel block rate good through September 7. Logos for Society for Research in Music Education and Society for Music Teacher Education.
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