Violin, Viola, Piano
Plato noted: “Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything.” This is the philosophy of Mercedes. She wishes to evoke these feelings in every student she encounters.
Mercedes Von Pichl began her musical career before she could walk. She credits her parents for exposing her to a large variety of musical styles and experiences as a child, as well as her elementary school music and string teachers. Mercedes began taking piano lessons in third grade, and at the age of ten, she had the opportunity to join the band or orchestra and fell in love with the violin. Mercedes began taken private violin lessons shortly after beginning the violin, all while continuing to play and take piano lessons. From the ages of 8-17, Mercedes performed in piano competitions and played violin in the Solo and Ensemble Festival in Boulder County. Mercedes also played with her school orchestras in middle and high school.
Mercedes’s musical career did not begin the traditional way. She was convinced she did not want to pursue music as a career and so, after high school, she moved on. For seven years, she worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant at a nursing home, thinking about a career in nursing. During this time, she had an epiphany: her true passion was not healthcare, but music. As a result, in 2005 she was accepted into the music education program at Metropolitan State College of Denver to begin her future as a music educator.
In 2011, Mercedes began working for an afterschool program in Douglas CO. in which she taught third-twelfth grade beginning, intermediate, and advanced band and orchestra. In 2012, Mercedes graduated from Metropolitan State University of Denver with a bachelor’s degree in music education, with a violin emphasis. Mercedes taught general music from 2012 to 2021 in DPS, Jefferson, Adams 12, and the Colorado Charter School districts. During this time, she was also teaching violin, viola, and piano lessons when she had time between her classroom and home.
In her spare time, Mercedes enjoys the great outdoors. Her family enjoys hiking, biking, and backpacking, all favorites for this mountain woman and her family of three!
Mercedes loves music. She loves teaching music. She would love to make music a part of your lives forever.