Last week the Mariachi Extravaganza debuted its iconic vocal and group competitions in the city of Las Vegas, Nevada. Mariachi groups and vocalists traveled from all over the nation to showcase their talent at the UNLV Performing Arts Center for a chance to win awards, scholarships and an opening spot in the Mariachi Extravaganza Concert headlined by world renowned mariachi musician Jonathan Palomar.
More than 300 students from 7 states and Canada participated in the competitions. Here are the results:
Vocal Competition Elementary School Category

1st Place – Alessandra Gutierrez – Bakersfield, California – $1,000
2nd Place – Yamileth Arellano – Kearns, Utah – $750
3rd Place – Alexia Orta – Houston, Texas – $500
3rd Place – Bryan Malanche – Sandy, Utah – $500
Vocal Competition Middle School Category

1st Place – Cristaly Leal – Zapata, Texas – $1,000
2nd Place – Brandon Malanche – Sandy, Utah – $750
3rd Place – Carla Beltran – $500
Vocal Competition Middle School Category

1st Place – Leylanie Rodriguez – La Grulla, Texas – $1,000
2nd Place – Michelle Meraz – Rio Grande City, Texas – $750
3rd Place – Nicole Lillingston – Pacoima, California – $500
Vocal Competition College / University Category

1st Place – Jenika Montes – Edinburg, Texas – $1,000
2nd Place – Joselyn Gutierrez – Las Vegas, Nevada – $750
3rd Place – Joselin Garcia – Reno, Nevada – $500
Group Competition Middle School Category

1st Place – Mariachi Los Pumas – K.O Knudson Academy of the Arts – Las Vegas, Nevada
2nd Place – Mariachi Los Bravos – JD Smith Middle School – Las Vegas, Nevada
3rd Place – Mariachi Alas Doradas – Keller Middle School – Las Vegas, Nevada
Group Competition High School Category

1st Place – Mariachi Grulla de Plata – Grulla High School – La Grulla, Texas
2nd Place – Mariachi Cascabel – Rio Grande City High School – Rio Grande City, Texas
3rd Place – Mariachi Joya – Las Vegas High School – Las Vegas, Nevada
Congratulations to all of the winners of this first edition of the Mariachi Extravaganza in Las Vegas. First place winners of the vocal competition were also awarded an automatic entry to the semifinals of the Mariachi Extravaganza Vocal Competition in San Antonio this December. All scholarships and awards were made possible with the support of KHS America Academic Alliance, the UNLV School of Music, and the Sphere Entertainment Company.