Taylor Mendoza, A.A., Voice Instructor

Taylor Mendoza is a dedicated vocalist and lifelong music lover born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. Her musical journey began at a young age, first singing along to her father’s favorite rock bands, then joining the choir in second grade, and even earning a spot to audition for America’s Got Talent after winning a local radio contest at age 10. These early experiences sparked a passion for music that ultimately shaped her life and career.

After graduating high school, Taylor was accepted into the Vocal Performance program at Stephen F. Austin State University, where she studied under Dr. Chris Turner. She later returned to San Antonio to continue her education at Northwest Vista College, studying with Dr. Minkyung Lee and Dr. Jihee Han and completing her Associate of Arts in Music. She is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Arts at the University of Texas at San Antonio, where she studies with Dr. Lydia Beasley.

Taylor’s performance background is wide-ranging. She has explored multiple genres and served during high school as lead vocalist and alternate bassist for The Elephant in the Room, a SAMA student band, while also participating in the academy’s SAMA Elite program. In 2023, she was named a finalist in the Classical Spanish category and a semi-finalist in the Classical category at the spring National Association of Teachers of Singing Competition.

With three years of teaching experience, including student teaching, shadowing in NISD, and serving as a SAMA substitute and instructor, Taylor brings warmth, enthusiasm, and a deep belief in music’s transformative power to every lesson. When she’s not teaching or singing, she enjoys film, literature, crafting, and spending time with her beloved labradoodle, Woody.