Bio
Inspired by her own studies of the French language, history, poetry, and prose, von Mering has a particular fondness for French mélodie. Most recently, on her recital The Book of Eve (2023), she coupled Gabriel Fauré’s La chanson d’Ève with Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Songs of Travel to chronicle the life of Eve from two different perspectives and timelines.
Through both institutional and personal study, von Mering understands the strong interplay and connection between the voice and its accompanying piano or instrumental ensemble, and, therefore, strives to highlight this dyadic relationship in her performances. The cornucopia of personal and cultural issues surfacing in the 19th and 20th centuries, reflected in song, are still relevant today, and von Mering believes that both the vocal and instrumental commentary are essential to the understanding, modernization, and renewed enjoyment of this historic art.
In addition to art song, von Mering’s other performance interests lie in early and contemporary chamber music and opera. She has performed with the Boston Camerata, appeared in the Handel Opera Academy’s inaugural production of Giulio Cesare in Egitto (2022), was a member of the recording choir for the University of Florida’s world premiere of Paul Richards' opera The Golem of Prague (2021), and collaborated with composer Daniel Townsend and soprano Gaby Gonzalez to create and record a micro-opera based on Edgar Allan Poe’s The Raven (2020).
von Mering has a vested interest in razing the gendered performance status quo, performing repertoire written for tenor, baritone, and bass voices. This season, von Mering joined the Lilith Vocal Ensemble, a treble choir challenging gender stereotypes in choral music, to purposefully use her artistry to initiate and encourage growth-promoting dialogue around gender equality, personal identity, sexuality, and community.
von Mering completed a Bachelor of Music in combination with French and Francophone studies from the University of Florida, where she studied with Dr. Anthony Offerle. She earned a Master of Music in Vocal Studies from the Longy School of Music of Bard College, studying with Ryan Turner. She is currently a student of Mark Lee, on faculty at the New England Conservatory’s School of Continuing Education.
Preferring to perform without shoes, von Mering calls herself The Barefoot Mezzo.