Making conservation education fun by live mermaid performances and shows!
Host hotel booking link for 20% off
https://hotels.cloudbeds.com/reservation/OtLH62#promo=Mermaid
Hotel Mccoy is right off of Highway 6 making it easily accessible by car to all Im'Mer'sion weekend events. A rental car is recommended if you are not driving in for the event, as most of the event is not in walking distance.
Im'mer'sion texas 2025 keynote speakers
mermaid tasha
Topic: "Building your Brand"
Tasha Haight, aka Mermaid Tasha, is an internationally-performing professional mermaid, PADI Mermaid Instructor Trainer, and children's book author who was recently featured on the Netflix docuseries, MerPeople. She owns a successful mermaid company in the Delmarva area but travels around the globe spreading mermaid magic, from Egypt to Iceland to French Polynesia, and everywhere in between. Her published books tell tales of conservation and wildlife encounters through fun mermaid adventures. Tasha has been listed as one of Maryland's 40 Faces of Tourism in 2022 and was selected as the Worcester County Chamber of Commerce's Business Person of the Year in 2023.
Session description:
Whether you're just dipping your fins into the world of professional mermaiding or looking to take your career to new depths, building a strong personal brand is essential for success. In this engaging session, internationally recognized mermaid performer, PADI Mermaid Instructor Trainer, and children's book author Tasha Haight will share expert insights on how to craft a brand that captivates audiences, attracts clients, and opens doors to exciting opportunities.
From defining your unique mermaid persona to creating a consistent visual identity, Tasha will guide you through key strategies to establish credibility, grow your reach, and navigate the business side of being a professional mermaid. Learn how to leverage social media, collaborate with industry professionals, and align your brand with meaningful causes—such as ocean conservation—to make a lasting impact.
With experience performing across the globe, running a successful mermaid business, and even being featured on Netflix’s MerPeople, Tasha brings a wealth of knowledge to help you stand out in a competitive industry. Whether you perform at parties, aquariums, or large-scale events, this session will give you actionable tools to ensure your mermaid brand is as strong as your swim.
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from one of the industry’s most successful mermaids and take your professional journey to the next level!
mermaid megan
Topic: "Recharging and Renewing Passion in Mermaiding"
Megan Blanchard aka Mermaid Megan, is a PADI Mermaid Instructor Trainer, Diving Master Instructor, children's book author, and environmental educator. She owns a successful mermaid company in the Central Texas region, focusing on getting kids outside to learn and connect with nature. Her programming is geared towards freshwater conservation and ethical fishing practices.
Session description:
The world of mermaiding can be not only taxing physically on our bodies but also mentally. Sometimes, it's easy to get lost in the routine or challenges of something you're passionate about. However, it's important to pause, refill your emotional and mental energy, and reconnect with the core reasons you fell in love with it in the first place. Recalling that initial spark of inspiration can reignite your motivation, helping you feel renewed and focused. Taking time to nurture yourself and reflect on your journey is essential for sustaining passion and continuing to grow in what you love. In this recharging presentation, Megan Blanchard will cover the 3 most common things that she finds her students reaching out to her about and how you can make a toolkit for yourself to use whenever you are feeling the need for and uplifting change.
laura lewis - fins and fairies photography
Topic: "Choosing your underwater photographer "
I'm a fantasy portrait photographer specializing in both dry land and underwater settings. While I'm new to underwater photography, I love the challenge of learning and sharing my experiences. My goal is to continuously grow as an artist while helping clients and potential clients choose the best experience for their unique vision.
jEANETTTE THE WRITER
Topic: COMING SOON
Jeanette is a writer, editor, and recreational mermaid living in North Texas. She discovered mermaiding in 2023 after a nine-year career as a scuba instructor. Her goal is to encourage all people to live out their dreams—whether they involve a tail or not. When she's not mermaiding or diving, you can find Jeanette crafting, reading, or putting pictures of her cats on Instagram.
mermaid pixi
Topic: "Aquarium Performance "
Mermaid Pixi, featured in Netflix's MerPeople, is an accomplished mermaid performer who has captivated audiences since 2015. Starting her mermaid journey with local performances, she expanded her reach in 2023 to perform in aquariums around the world. A PADI Mermaid Instructor since 2022, Pixi is also a certified FII Freediver (2019) and stunt diver (2020), showcasing her impressive skills in the water.
As the Sea Queen of Mexico, Pixi uses her platform to work with The Moses West Foundation, an organization dedicated to providing atmospheric water generators to communities facing water insecurity. Through this partnership, she continues to make a meaningful impact beyond her performances.
mermaid Zievi
Topic: "Crafting your own mermaid accesories "
ZieVi Creations specializes in handmade ready-to-ship and custom fantasy crowns and mermaid accessories. All crowns are designed and forged by Mermaid ZieVi herself. She personally swim tests all pieces to prioritize function equally with allure.
Her creations are crafted to reflect the ethereal beauty found in water and in those who wear them.
Mermaid ZieVi is a freshwater fish operating out of the southern region of Wisconsin. She has been in love with water her entire life and swam competitively before later diving into the world of mermaiding. She found a true passion in creation. Self taught and guided ZieVi uses resin as her medium for expression.
Crafting each crown with artistry and care.
One of the things most important to her as both a mermaid and mermaker is access and affordability. In her own words,
"Having accessories should never be out of reach."
Desiree de jongh
Topic: "Writing your story: Mersona Creation "
Desiree de Jongh, aka Loreley Pearl Beach Mermaid, is a Professional performing mermaid and PADI Mermaid Instructor. She has been performing at public and private events since 2016, more recently she has broken into the Renaissance Festival circuit. Desiree has a passion for education and conservation but also for creating the story. She has a background in theater, acting and marine biology has infused this into her mersona. Being able to merge story telling with conservation has brought a touch of realism for her performances.
Im'mer'sion texas 2025 Underwater workshops
Ani Ferguson- workshop -apnea flow
PADI Mermaid Instructor Trainer, Freedive Instructor, Open Water Scuba Instructor
The Aqua Native founder and owner, Ani designs programming, facilitates courses, and more!
Ani is a PADI Professional Mermaid Instructor Trainer, Freedive Instructor and Divemaster. Starting her love affair with the water at just 8 weeks old, when she took her first swim lesson, she has been an Aqua Native ever since. She grew up in a family that regularly went swimming and diving for family activities. At the age of four, Ani was able to meet Mermaid Marti at the end of a mesmerizing underwater show at Weeki Wachee Springs in Florida. Her love of mermaiding began when Marti hand-picked Ani and her sister from the crowd for a special photo opportunity; the rest is history.
Ani believes everyone has the ability to enjoy the water and be at home in it. She works to create that access point for anyone who is interested in learning how to be more comfortable in the water. As mammals, we all have natural reflexes that aid us in swimming and diving, we just need to develop those reflexes. Her goal is to help everyone find their place in the water- either as a mermaid and/or a freediver.
Underwater Workshop Description:
Learn to execute underwater performances and creative movements using freediving skills, while integrating your unique movement background with safety, individuality, and artistic execution.
This unique underwater movement art invites you to experience a profound sense of freedom and grace beneath the surface. Whether you're a seasoned Freediver or just beginning your underwater journey, Apnea Flow offers a playful and inclusive space to discover your unique aquatic expression. Connect with your body and sensations as you gracefully navigate underwater.
Develop athleticism and master movement techniques in a safe and supportive environment. This program offers a structured path, starting with foundational skills and safety in shallower waters (Level 1). As you progress, you'll explore more advanced techniques and deepen your understanding of safety in deeper environments (Level 2).
Underwater flow with apnea can be a profoundly therapeutic experience. The weightlessness and silence of the underwater environment create a unique sense of peace and tranquility, allowing practitioners to relax deeply and connect with their body. The focus on controlled breathing and extended breath-holds cultivates mindfulness and present-moment awareness. As practitioners explore their movements in this unique medium, they develop a deeper sense of body awareness and self-expression. Overcoming the initial challenges of breath control and underwater movement fosters a sense of accomplishment and boosts self-confidence.
Lenisa Love - workshop -underwater modeling
Lenisa Love is a model, actress, educator, business owner, and mermaid performer whose career began at the age of 9. With years of experience in runway shows, commercials, and high-fashion campaigns, she quickly established herself as a natural talent in the industry. After signing with The Campbell Agency—a renowned agency known for representing elite models including Victoria’s Secret talents—Lenisa seamlessly transitioned into various facets of modeling and entertainment. In addition to her successful modeling career, Lenisa is passionate about sharing her expertise with others. She travels across the United States to lead modeling bootcamps and teach at renowned modeling schools, inspiring aspiring talent with her industry insights and personal experience. Her participation in pageants has also amplified her voice as an advocate for the causes she believes in. Lenisa’s creative journey took an enchanting turn in 2018 when she embraced her passion for mermaiding during a transformative experience in Maui. Combining her acting and modeling skills with underwater performance, she quickly mastered the art of modeling beneath the waves. After earning her freediving certification and winning the prestigious Miss Mermaid USA pageant, she founded Mermaid Dream School in the DFW area. At her school, Lenisa—recognized in the industry as the “Mermaid Model”—teaches underwater modeling, mermaid performance, and underwater photography, and serves as a certified PADI Mermaid Instructor. Her multifaceted career and innovative approach continue to inspire and redefine the boundaries of modeling both on land and under the sea.
Montana pickens- workshop -content creation
Montana graduated with a degree in Zoology Pre-medical Science, with a minor in Entrepreneurship, from Oklahoma State University. After college, she learned that she could follow her love for the arts and sciences by becoming a mermaid, having the ability to create magic for the people around her while also educating them on the importance of healthy ecosystems- the powers of a scientist and mermaid combined. This passion led her to start Iron Shore Mermaid LLC where she travels Oklahoma and beyond to educate and inspire awareness via the voice of a mermaid.
She continued her journey underwater by seeking out professional growth in PADI. She became a PADI Rescue diver and Freediver as well as a PADI Mermaid Instructor. With these certifications, she is able to work for companies like Dive Safe Pro; where she is a safety diver for mermaids on the Wands and Wishes team, ensuring dives run smoothly and mermaids dive safely. She also performs with the Wands and Wishes team, traveling the United States to AZA accredited facilities to spread the magic of mermaids and awareness of ocean conservation.
She has also worked with Submerge Underwater, a creative team specializing in underwater photography. With them, she was able to work in the Maldives, where she had the opportunity to coach models and mermaids as well as operate as a safety diver. She also shot behind-the-scenes video of the production in process.
In 2021, she earned the title of 9th most viral video in the world, garnering almost 325 million views on one video. With her experience in social media, she now volunteers with AZA SAFE Sharks and Rays for their Instagram account, where they share fun facts, inspire love and awareness, and educate on the importance of elasmobranchs to our marine ecosystems.
When she is not a mermaid, she teaches swim lessons to all ages and focuses on helping others understand that the water can be a fun and safe learning environment.
Sarah Teveldal - Underwater Photoshoots
Sarah Teveldal is an award-winning underwater photographer based in Austin, Texas. Her diverse portfolio includes underwater work with maternity clients, couples, kids, athletes, musicians, mermaids and more. Her 15 years of experience working with people in the water ensures beautiful and unique results every time.
Sarah's relationship to the mermaid community began in 2015 with her first international mermaid retreat in Belize. Since then, she's provided mermaid makeovers, collaborated with mermaid companies on product shoots, and partnered with local professional mermaids.
Sarah's philosophy, "Let go, just flow," encourages her subjects to embrace the fluidity of water, releasing inhibitions and finding a sense of weightlessness and calm. She believes that surrendering to the water and to oneself allows the magic of underwater photography to unfold—where light dances, bodies move freely, fabric flows, and reflections create an ever-changing canvas.
Sarah is excited to partner with Megan for Im'mer'sion Texas. "I admire Megan's natural affinity for the water, her easygoing professionalism, and her dedication to the mermaid community. I look forward to meeting everyone and creating amazing, unique images together!"
You can view her work at www.flashpoolproductions.com/mermaids and connect with her on IG @flashpool_productions
$150 / session
- 20 mins
- gallery of proofs
- includes 1 artistically retouched image of your choice
- option to purchase additional images at $50 / image or at discounted package rates
- includes both personal and commercial rights to use for business use (for professional mermaids!)