Liz is a Houston native. Being the daughter of renowned trumpet player Joe Mendez, she spent her early years backstage listening and learning while her dad played shows with Frank Sinatra, Peggy Lee, The Temptations, and many others.
Liz studied piano privately with Patricio Gutierrez for 4 years. She graduated from High School for the Performing and Visual Arts and received her B.A. in Music from University of St. Thomas in Houston. She was a classroom music teacher for over 20 years and now continues her work accompanying the students of The Briarwood School for their annual fall musical.
In addition to teaching, she has been the pianist and music director with many of the top jazz and salsa bands in town. She has shared the stage with music legends Celia Cruz, Tito Puente, and Flora Purim. Liz has also led her own group. In 1996 Liz and her band opened for funk/soul stars “Tower of Power” at Rockefellers. Other appearances have been at the Houston International Festival, Kansas City Women's Jazz Festival, Corpus Christi Jazz Festival, Austin Jazz Festival, Kemah Jazz Festival, Latin DanceSport Competition at the MGM Las Vegas, and DanceSport Competition at Lake Tahoe.
Her musical experience and education has resulted in a diverse and vast repertoire. Liz continues her work as a pianist and teacher with Houston Ballet's Education and Community Engagement department, local restaurants hotels, schools and churches.