Born in Havana, Cuba in 1974, Mercedes Nodarse came to the United States at the age of 5 during the Mariel boatlift on May 5, 1980.  At the age of 10, her music teacher recognized her talent immediately and gave her a solo in a school play.

That performance started Mercedes down a path of musical performances that would have her singing in front of people from all walks of life, including two performances for Saint Pope John Paul II in 1993 at World Youth Day in Denver, Colorado in front of a crowd of over 250,000 and, again, in front of a crowd of 200,000 at St. Peter's Square, Vatican City Rome in 1994.  It would not be the last time Mercedes would sing for a Pope. Pope Francis extended an invitation to Mercedes to perform in Rome in April of 2019.  Mercedes sang at a private mass for Pope Francis on the weekend of Palm Sunday. 

Mercedes has also performed at the White House for the President of the United States on multiple occasions and has also represented the United States in front of world leaders in Paris, France for the inaugural Paris Peace Forum in 2018.

When not performing on stage, Mercedes can be found leading worship as a vocalist at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Several artists have inspired Mercedes' musical journey including  Celine Dion, Kari Jobe, Kelly Clarkson, Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Christina Aguilera, Bette Midler and Ella Fitzgerald.