For 8 years, the Mariachi Extravaganza Summer Vocal Camp has helped mariachi students improve elements of their mariachi vocal performance through group and private lessons led by professional mariachi vocalists. As a result, many of the the longtime camp attendees have earned awards in local and national vocal competitions and come back every year to polish their skills further. This year, after a 2 year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the camp has once again opened its doors and will be taking place June 26 through the 30th.
Welcome Our Students
Joining us this year in San Antonio for the camp is the winner of the 28th Annual Mariachi Extravaganza National Vocal Competition and Grand Champion Vocalist Nayelli Peña from Grulla, Texas. Nayelli will be spending her time at the camp preparing for an upcoming performance at the Globe-News Center For The Performing Arts in Amarillo, Texas alongside Trio Los Reyes and The Amarillo Symphony Youth Orchestra in a production titled ¡Celebraciones!
Dayanara Salinas and Isabella Gonzalez from Roma, Texas are both former finalists and award winning vocalists of the Mariachi Extravaganza who will also attend the camp. Dayanara was awarded first place in the middle school category of the National Vocal Competition in 2019 while Isabella received the same place a year later in 2020. Carolina Rodriguez from Grulla High School and Marianna Rowan from Uvalde where also finalists at the 28th Annual Mariachi Extravaganza and will be joining us at at the camp as well.
We want to extend a special warm welcome to all the other students joining us for the first time that are traveling from all parts of Texas like the Rio Grande Valley, San Marcos, Kyle, Aransas Pass and all the way from Lompoc, California, Tucson, Arizona and New York City. We look forward to seeing everyone in San Antonio for this year’s camp.
Meet The Instructors
MORE ABOUT THE INSTRUCTORS
Dr. Octavio Moreno has served as an instructor for the camp for several years and his background in music is remarkable. Originally from Hermosillo, Sonora in Mexico, baritone Octavio Moreno received his Bachelors degree in Voice at the Universidad de Sonora and his Master in Music at the University of Houston. He later obtained his Doctorate degree in Music at the University of Arizona. Dr. Moreno has won numerous awards in national and international vocal competitions throughout his professional career and even represented Mexico in the 2009 BBC Cardiff Singer of the World Competition and the 2010 Paris International competition. He has also played roles in the mariachi operas Arizona Lady, Cruzar La Cara de la Luna, and El Milagro del Recuerdo.
Vanessa Alonzo is a singer/songwriter, opera singer, and mariachi musician from Houston, Texas. She is a returning instructor at the camp and is a well respected coach in the mariachi community. In 1999, while a senior at John H. Reagan High School in Houston – now Heights High School – she captivated the judges of the Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza with her interpretation of La Cigarra during the Nation Vocal Competition, which earned her the Title of Grand Champion Vocalist. Since then, Vanessa has had a long-time and successful career in music, and has been featured in many mariachi-opera productions including Cruzar La Cara de la Luna and El Milagro del Recuerdo.
Alexa Michelle Posas is an award winning mariachi vocalist, musician, and professional model from Roma, Texas. In 2015, Alexa was awarded the title of “Best Mariachi Vocalist in the U.S” by the world-renowned Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán during the National Vocal Competition of the Mariachi Extravaganza. As a young college student, she traveled around the United States as a member of UTRGV’s Mariachi Aztlán, opening up concerts for several professional mariachi artists including a performance at Chicago’s Millennium Park in front of 21,000 people. While touring with Aztlan, Alexa also had the opportunity to coach young mariachi musicians in different workshops that promote mariachi music education. Alexa has a degree in Biomedical Science from the University of Texas- Rio Grande Valley. She now dedicates her spare time to modeling and is currently the face of Poised Bridal Couture.
Registration
The camp registration has a cost of $250 and will remain open until June 16. Any student from ages 10-21 are welcomed and encouraged to attend the camp as there are a few more slots open.
For more information regarding the Mariachi Extravaganza Summer Camp please reach out to Leon Camacho at Leon@mariachimusic.com or (210) 304-0297.
Recital
Tickets are on sale now to see Summer Camp participants perform in a public recital on Friday, June 30 at 7:30 PM at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts Carlos Alvarez Studio Theatre. Purchase your tickets today here and join us in what will be a spectacular show. Your support for this year’s Mariachi Extravaganza Summer Camp helps with the continuation of presenting quality educational programs for students interested in developing their skills in mariachi. Thank you for your support!
The Mariachi Extravaganza Summer Camp is an extension of the 29th Annual Mariachi Extravaganza produced by San Antonio based MPR. Stay connected with us by signing up for the mariachimusic.com newsletter or the Mariachi Extravaganza Facebook page. You can also see us on @mariachimusic on Instagram, TikTok and Twitter!
ENJOY THESE BEAUTIFUL PICS FROM THE MARIACHI EXTRAVAGANZA SUMMER CAMP IN 2014!
Other Mariachi Summer Camps
We understand that summer can be a busy time for students. In case our date or location does not work with your schedule, check out these other mariachi camps!
June 26 – SAISD Mariachi Summer Camp -San Antonio
June 26 – Summer Arts Program – California State University
July 24 – Summer Mariachi Intensive – University of Houston
July 24 – GCAC Mariachi Summer Camp – San Antonio
