Mallory Merkel is currently Director of Instrumental Music at Slinger Middle School located in Slinger, Wisconsin, serving approximately 350 band students in grades six through eight. Previously, she taught in the West Allis-West Milwaukee School District, serving a range of students in elementary music, beginning and intermediate instrumental music, marching band, and self-contained music classes for students with physical and cognitive disabilities. She also held instrumental music director positions in the Stone Bank School District, Grafton School District, School District of Waukesha, and Carroll University in Waukesha, Wisconsin.

Mrs. Merkel is an active musician in the state of Wisconsin and regularly performs on clarinet with a wide range of ensembles. She is principal clarinet in Blaskapelle Milwaukee, an 18-piece European-style wind ensemble; a member of Milwaukee Alpenbläser, a 7-piece European-folk ensemble; and a member of the Waukesha Area Symphonic Band (WASB), a full symphonic band and 2017 recipient of the Studler Silver Scroll Award. As a multiple woodwind specialist, Mrs. Merkel has served as a clinician for students ranging from beginner to advanced levels.

Having studied at Carroll University and Kent State University, Mrs. Merkel holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education and a Master’s degree in Music Education, respectively. Her writings A Band Director Discussion About Woodwind Fundamentals, Method Book Recommendations, Equipment and More; For Those Who Teach, And Also Do! Balancing A Teaching and Performance Career; and Teaching Music to Students With Special Needs: Strategies for Teaching an Adaptive Music Class have been featured by DANSR and Vandoren, USA where she serves as a JUNO Ambassador.