Hello! My name is Meredith Villarrial-Mercer, and I am thrilled to be joining the Houston Voice Studio faculty. I am passionate about helping singers build confidence in their voices, whether you are an experienced performer refining your craft or a newer singer developing your sound. My goal is to meet every student where they are and help them grow into the artist they want to become.

My teaching style is warm, encouraging, and tailored to each singer's goals, personality, and learning style. I believe that different vocal styles can all be supported by the same healthy, sustainable technique, so I focus on building a strong foundation, including breath support, registration, and resonance, while helping each singer find their own authentic voice. Above all, I want students to understand how their instrument works so they can take real ownership of it and feel free to make their own choices.

I especially love working with singers involved in theater. Whether we are choosing the right audition song, preparing for a callback, or polishing a solo, my goal is to help each performer build versatility, confidence, and a voice that is both sustainable, free, and their own. Great singing is about so much more than vocal ability. Adaptable technique, musicality, and storytelling work together to create expressive performers, and I love helping students connect with the text of their songs, make clear, intentional choices, and bring their own personality to the stage.

I have taught and mentored students of all ages and in many different settings, from early education through high school and private lessons. As the middle child in a family of seven, connecting with younger singers has always come naturally to me, and my years in the classroom have taught me patience and the joy of watching students come into their own. Helping a singer grow in confidence, discover their strengths, and develop a genuine love for music is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do.

My own training began in the classical world, where I sang in choirs and performed solos at UIL before expanding into musical theater. I earned my B.F.A. in Theatre Performance with an emphasis in Musical Theatre from Baylor University, where I studied with vocal coaches grounded in Contemporary Commercial Music (CCM). That is where I built a real understanding of how the voice works on a functional level, and it continues to shape the way I teach today.

While at Baylor, I performed roles including Johanna in Sweeney Todd and Benjamin in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and I sang in the ensemble of a staged reading of Michael John LaChiusa's American Eclipse, directed by Tony Award winner Bill Rauch, performing alongside Broadway artists including Rachel Bay Jones (Dear Evan Hansen), Mary Testa (Oklahoma!, Wicked), and Sydney James Harcourt (Hamilton, Cats: The Jellicle Ball).

Alongside teaching, I keep an active regional performance career. Recent credits include Beehive at TexARTS, where I sang numbers like "Be My Baby," "It's My Party," and "Academy Award," as well as Suzy in The Marvelous Wonderettes and the ensemble of Rock of Ages, both at Clinton Area Showboat Theatre.

Outside of the studio, you can find me playing with my dog, Betty, spending time with my big family, and rewatching my favorite shows. I can't wait to make music with you!