Emily Mercado, PhD, is an associate professor of choral music education and the Music Education Area head at The University of Utah. Mercado is an active conductor, and her research has appeared in leading journals including Research Studies in Music Education, Journal of Music Teacher Education, and The British Journal of Music Education. Mercado served as ACDA-UT president and is involved in developing community partnerships with schools. Mercado received a PhD in music education from Louisiana State University, a master’s in teaching degree from Oregon State University, and a bachelor’s 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.