Octavio Moreno says students are "Vocal Athletes" as the 2023 Mariachi Summer Camp comes to an end

A huge thanks to everyone who participated in the 2023 Mariachi Extravaganza Summer Vocal Camp. It was a fulfilled week of getting to know 40 plus students from 22 cities – many who are Mariachi Extravaganza participants. This was super fun because, so often, the Mariachi Extravaganza comes and goes, and we hardly have a chance to say hello. This time around, it was so rewarding getting to know the students throughout a weeklong period. We got to hear what motivates them to learn more about mariachi, learn about their accomplishments, meet their friends and family and enjoy their amazing performances.

Students were featured several times in local TV news outlets and radio interviews throughout the week.

The students gave the audience their very best with an evening full of solo performances accompanied by Mariachi Azul de San Antonio who performed under the direction of Fernando Mallen. Vanessa told the students “ya’ll went to the buffet and ate it up” because they all did such as a great job. The audiences applause was astounding for every single one of the vocalists. Congrats to all!!!
Click here for the full concert program.

People came from all over the country to see the students perform. Melody Hilario’s family flew in from from California along with Robert’s Strahan’s family from Aransas Pass. Family and friends came in from New York, Arizona, The Valley, Uvalde, Grand Prarie, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio.

The evening continued to build in excitement following Nayelli Peña’s performance when she invited all of the camp participants on stage to perform “La Feria de las Flores” and “Que Bonita es eta Vida.” These two group songs resulted in a roaring applause and was the culmination of the hard work the students and directors put into learning the music throughout the week.

Thanks especially to the maestros Octavio Moreno, Vanessa Alonzo and Alexa Posas for wrapping up the evening with your spectacular performances. Octavio sang “Un Mundo Raro,” Vanessa sang “Sufriendo a solar” and Alex sang “Mi Ranchito.” Their performances were heavenly!

Octavio reminded the parents in the audience that “it’s important to look at the students as VOCAL ATHLETES because it takes years to hone your skills just as it does a professional athlete.”

Thanks to the parents and mariachi directors for encouraging your students to participate and thanks to the media for supporting the event. Thanks also to my team for helping to make it all happen – Leon Camacho and Sandra Guevara.

Here’s another great story that aired on “Great Day SA” that included a beautiful performance with Nayelli Peña – 2023 Mariachi Extravaganza Grand Champion Vocal Winner.

Additional stories regarding the Mariachi Extravaganza Summer Vocal Camp can be found here:

Texas Public Radio
San Antonio Reporter

Make plans to attend the 29th Annual Mariachi Extravaganza November 30 – December 2, 2023. Tickets are on sale now for the Mariachi Extravaganza concert on Saturday, December 2 at ticketmaster.com. Competition registration opens on September 1 at mariachimusic.com. Hotel reservations can be made at the Grand Hyatt or the Emily Morgan hotels.