Attended the University of Michigan as a musical theatre Major, and received my degree in Theatre Education from Columbus State University. Merrill has been teaching Theatre at Harris County Carver Middle School for the past 23 years. Merrill has directed almost everything in the Broadway Jr collection at some point in her career. Most notable was directing the pilot production of Children of Eden Jr and having the magnificent Stephen Schwartz come to her school to see it! Merrill was named one of the top 10 Teachers of the Year in the state of Georgia in 2010, and was named a Freddie G award winner in 2013. She is a wife of 35 years, mother of two daughters who work and teach Film and Stage Management as well as a son in law who is the Technical Theatre professor at Arizona State University. She has one grandson, Silas, who holds her heart in the palm of his little hand.