About

Who Is Mermaid Echo?

I am a 28-year old Associate Director of River Restoration for a Freshwater Conservation Nonprofit. In 2023 I graduated with my Master’s in Freshwater Sciences & Technology from the School of Freshwater Science at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. In 2019 I graduated with my Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication, and minors Digital Studies and Gender Studies. I am grateful to have been able to apply the skills I’ve learned from my degrees and career to my small business, which has proven to be an incredible hands-on learning experience!

In 2014 I first began training in a monofin as a form of physical therapy after a sports injury. Soon enough I discovered the “mermaid community,” a group of people dedicated to protecting our water systems and making life a little more magical. I wanted in.

I would jokingly say I wasn’t smart enough to become a scientist, so I would become a mermaid. At the time, I was a science writer and journalist, I didn’t have a STEM degree. But, I knew from my time in outdoor education that creativity and whimsy was an effective way to mobilize and inspire the next generation of freshwater stewards.

That was 2016. Fast forward almost 10 years, and I am now a proud full time scientist AND mermaid who has served hundreds of clients all over the Midwest and the United States!

Is my child safe?

Yes. I first earned my Lifeguard certification through the Red Cross in 2014, and served at an outdoor education summer camp as a counselor and boating director for five summers. That experience inspired a great passion for water safety, and I have kept up vigorous training in open water, freediving, lifeguarding, first aid, boating safety and more. I am confident in both my childcare and water safety abilities. My certifications include:

PADI Mermaid Instructor Trainer
DAN First Aid & CPR Instructor
PADI Open Water Diver
Irish National Powerboat Certified
Red Cross Lifeguard
Irish Water Safety Lifeguard
AED/First Aid
Wisconsin Boating License
YMCA Open Waterfront
Child abuse and SBS prevention
Bullying and suicide prevention
Blood borne pathogen safety certified
Childhood stress and anger management prevention

As Seen On…

Reviews

Saoirse

“AMAZING from start to finish. Mermaid Echo’s attention to detail was amazing, so kind and inclusive. She kept the kids interested and excited throughout. The gifts were amazing and very cute, the treasure, songs, activities and story telling was brilliant. I cannot recommend Mermaid Echo enough. So worth every cent! I have 2 kids who will be talking about Mermaid Echo for a long time. I’m still amazed. Thank you!”

Gloria

“MER-MAZING!!! Highly recommend Mermaid Echo. She interacted with our daughter and her friends perfectly and her costume is beautiful! The photo and video option is a great add-on too! Would definitely book again. Our daughters jaw dropped when she first saw Echo and she sat looking at her photo even after the party was over!”

Mari

“Both my children, two nephews, and friend’s child fell in love with Echo. The entire drive home was talk about mermaids. She was so patient with the children who were swarming around her. She has a special gift with children!”

Sarah

When staff first saw the application come through from Mermaid Echo to participate in the 2024 Strawberry Festival, we were immediately intrigued by the concept of a live mermaid at our festival. Working with Mermaid Echo and their team has been incredibly easy. There were some logistics that needed to be worked through in order to host Mermaid Echo in our family friendly Cedar Creek Park location and they were very willing to help work through those obstacles. The performance was a tremendous success with festival goers actively searching out “the live mermaid”! Festivals of Cedarburg staff are looking forward to working with Mermaid Echo and their team in 2025!