Elissa Mendez-Renk has been playing piano since she was six years old. She received her B.A. in Music from Barnard College in New York City, and her M.A. in Music Education from Teachers College of Columbia University. She has been studying piano under Angela Laba since 2022 and under John Gavalchin for two years before then.

She currently teaches piano in the after school music program at Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart, in addition to substitute teaching with Montgomery County Public Schools. In her teaching, Elissa emphasizes finding the right balance of progress between lessons while also finding time to enjoy learning music without feeling rushed.

Elissa is also an active member of Capital Accord Chorus, where she sings as part of an all treble group in four-part a cappella harmony in the barbershop style. She is originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico and now resides in Downtown Silver Spring.