Judges

Michael Acevedo

University of Texas San Antonio
San Antonio, TX

Michael Acevedo is a dedicated educator and accomplished performer committed to advancing mariachi and Latin-American music. He is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin, holds a Master’s degree in Trumpet Performance and brings over 20 years of experience performing with professional mariachis, wind ensembles and jazz orchestras. He is a Professor at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) where he directs both university mariachi ensembles and teaches music education.

Gilberto Aguirre
Vihuelista
Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán
Mexico D.F

Gilberto Aguirre is a multi-talented musician and entrepreneur who joined Mariachi Vargas as a vihuela player in 2013. He operates Gil Productions Entertainment in Guadalajara where he works with numerous artists, composers and arrangers in recordings year- round. Prior to joining Vargas, Gilberto played with a succession of groups, many alongside Jonathan Palomar. Groups include Mariachi Los Tecolotes, Mariachi Los Toritos, Mariachi Los Galleros de Pedro Rey, Mariachi Internacional Guadalajara, Mariachi San Francisco and Mariachi Alas de México. Gilberto comes from a family of musicians and also sells his own line of vihuelas under his name brand Gilberto Aguirre. He’s enjoyed a successful business career for more than 20 years.

Victor Alvarez
Harpist
Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán
Mexico D.F

Víctor Álvarez has an impressive résumé that includes a bachelor’s degree in music education from the Universidad Veracruzana and a master’s degree in music technology from the Universidad Filadelfia de México. Víctor is also an accomplished pianist and has received numerous awards in several countries for his diverse talents and accomplishments as a highly skilled musician and performer. Víctor became a member of Mariachi Vargas in January of 2018 and upon entry has captivated audiences at each show with his magnificent dexterity on the harp.

Vanessa Alonzo
Former Grand Champion/HGO Houston, TX
346-347-5676
Vanessalonzo@gmail.com

Houston native Vanessa Alonzo is an accomplished singer and performer recognized for her pioneering work in mariachi operas. She began her musical training at the Houston based non-profit organization MECA (Multicultural Education and Counseling through the Arts), where she developed her passion for mariachi music and performance. Vanessa gained wide acclaim for her role of Lupita in Cruzar La Cara de La Luna (To Cross the Face of the Moon), the first mariachi opera, commissioned by the Houston Grand Opera (HGO). Leonard Foglia created the opera with the late Jose “Pepe” Martinez, Sr. and composed an original aria for Vanessa tailored to her voice and talent (an honor saved for the greatest all singers). Vanessa has enjoyed a longstanding career working with HGO and many other opera companies such as the Minnesota Opera and San Antonio Opera. She was named Mariachi Extravaganza Grand Champion in 1999.

Cirilo Campos

Texas State University

San Marcos, TX

Cirilo Campos joined the faculty at Texas State University School of Music in the fall of 2024 as Associate Professor and Director of Latin Music Studies. He directs Mariachi Nueva Generación, teaches mariachi education courses and provides oversight of the Latin Music Studies program. In the summer of 2015, Cirilo Campos founded the San Antonio Mariachi Academy, a small educational business that offers musical instruction with emphasis in Mariachi music to students of all ages. He is also a longtime member of Mariachi Los Caporales – a San Antonio based professional mariachi group made up of some of the best musicians in all of Texas.

Stephen Carrillo
Mariachi Cobre/Leyendas del Mariachi
Orlando, FL

Steve Carrillo co-founded Mariachi Cobre in Tucson, Arizona with his brother Randy Carillo and currently serves as the groups director. He plays a major role as musical director in the current film Ugly Little Monkeys which tracks his journey as a young musician in Mariachi Los Changuitos Feos to Mariachi Cobre. He resides in Orlando, Florida where he has enjoyed a longstanding career with Mariachi Cobre as the resident mariachi ensemble at the Mexico Pavilion at Disney World’s EPCOT theme park. In addition, his group has performed with over 50 symphony orchestras and has accompanied and performed with artists such as Linda Ronstadt, Ana Gabriel and San Antonio’s favorite hometown artists Vikki Carr. Steve is also a member of Leyendas del Mariachi made up of a legendary group of mariachi musicians and vocalists from both the U.S. and Mexico.

Greg Cavazos
University of Texas – Austin
Austin, TX

Greg Cavazos is a highly respected mariachi director with nearly two decades of experience in education and performance throughout Texas. He has held key positions as a mariachi director at Eagle Pass High School, Cavazos Middle School, and Lubbock High School and directed Mariachi Javelina at Texas A&M University-Kingsville from 1998 to 2003. As a performer, Cavazos has shared the stage with renowned artists such as George Strait, Beatriz Montes, and Jimmy Gonzales, showcasing his versatility with over 40 mariachi ensembles. Mr. Cavazos holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Texas A&M University-Kingsville and a Master of Music in Musicology from Texas Tech University. Through his extensive experience and contributions, Greg Cavazos is a passionate advocate for mariachi music, dedicated to nurturing young talent and preserving this rich cultural tradition.

Clyde Guerra

University of Texas RGV

Edinburg, TX

Clyde Guerra is a musician, educator and performer. He was a longtime competitor at the Mariachi Extravaganza where he won numerous vocal and group competition awards while a student at Roma High School and continued expanding his performance career while appearing on the television show La Voz… México in 2019. Clyde graduated with a Master of Music in Violin Performance from UTRGV in 2021 and began a new chapter of his career as a music educator. He began as a Head Mariachi Director at Edinburg High School and inspired everyone when he was invited to perform with the Latin Grammy-winning artist Peso Pluma at the MTV Video Music Awards in 2023. Today, Clyde serves as the Co-Director of Mariachi at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, one of the nation’s premier collegiate mariachi programs. In this new role, he hopes to inspire the younger generation of student musicians to become successful mariachi performers and educators.

Miguel Guzman

Texas State University

San Marcos, TX

Miguel Guzman, is a renowned Mariachi musician and educator, with 41 years experience as a professional musician and 36 years as a Mariachi educator. He currently directs and teaches at the Miguel Guzman Mariachi Conservatory in San Antonio,Texas and has accompanied numerous distinguished artist including Lucha Villa, Lola Beltran, Vicky Carr and Placido Domingo. Miguel is also a studio musician and has recorded on numerous albums including “Siempre Selena” with Selena Quintanilla and “Llegaron los Camperos” with two time Grammy award winners Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano. He has an incredibly talented family that includes his wife Esmeralda, his sons Miguel and Antonio (member of Mariachi Los Camperos) and his daughter Alejandra.

Cesar Jauregui

Casa Valentina

San Antonio, TX

César Jauregui was born in Juchipila, Zacatecas, México, where he began playing the trumpet at the age of 16. At 22, his musical journey took him to Spain before eventually returning to Texas in 2023. Music has allowed him to travel the world and perform in four FIFA World Cups. An accomplished trumpet player, César has recorded and performed with Mariachi Los Caporales for more than 20 years, toured with Luis Miguel alongside Mariachi Vargas, and has appeared with Mariachi Vargas on multiple occasions. Widely recognized as one of the best trumpet players in Texas, he comes from a family of musicians and is the owner of Casa Valentina, a San Antonio–based business providing trajes and merchandise for mariachi musicians.

Carlos Martínez
Musical Director
Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán
Mexico D.F

Carlos Martínez is the beloved musical director of Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán. Under his leadership, Mariachi Vargas recorded on Luis Miguel’s GRAMMY Award-winning album ¡México Por Siempre! and completed more than 300 tour dates with the legendary singer. He produced the group’s 2023 album Mexicano Desde La Raíz, which features original works and a modern reinterpretation of “La Bikina” with the Spanish group Mocedades. More recently, Carlos created an arrangement titled “A Las Grandes” – A tribute to the Iconic Women of Mariachi. This popurri pays homage to legendary female voices who have helped shape this genre such as Lola Beltrán, Amalia Mendoza, Lucha Villa and Rocio Dúrcal. Carlos continues to influence mariachi music across the globe through his leadership in Vargas and talent as a musical arranger and composer. Prior to joining Mariachi Vargas, Carlos served as musical director for Mariachi Nuevo Tecalitlán.

Jonathan Palomar
Vocalist/Guitarist
Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán
San Antonio, TX

Jonathan Palomar is our esteemed Artistic Director for the Mariachi Extravaganza and vocalist and guitarist for Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán. He is a fourth-generation mariachi musician who has captivated audiences worldwide with his powerful voice and deep-rooted passion for mariachi music. Most recently, Jonathan recorded a romantic ballad by Mon Laferte title “Antes de Ti.” The adaptation to mariachi was arranged by Jacob Contador and recorded with UTRGV’s award winning and highly accomplished Mariachi Aztlán with support from the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center here in San Antonio. The single is soon to be released on Spotify and other streaming platforms with a video now available on YouTube. Jonathan is dedicated to both his craft and education, and continues to expand his musical horizons while honoring his family’s rich mariachi legacy.

Rafael Palomar Ruelas
Leyendas del Mariachi
Los Angeles, CA

Rafael Palomar descends from a renowned musical family founded by his father, Maestro Román Palomar – best known for writing the song El Mariachi Loco. He toured globally with Mariachi Vargas for 25 years as vocalist and guitarist and is recognized as an outstanding educator, conducting workshops and clinics across Mexico and the U.S. Today, Rafael serves as Musical Director of Herencia Mariachi Academy in Corona, California, where he has spent the past decade nurturing new generations of mariachi musicians. His ensemble presents major concerts, community performances, and original productions, including a symphonic concert celebrating the academy’s 10th anniversary in 2025. Rafael also performs with Las Leyendas del Mariachi, a collective of former members from the world’s most prestigious mariachi ensembles.

Louie Ranjel
Mariachi Cobre
Orlando, FL

Louie Ranjel is originally from Tucson, Arizona and has dedicated his life to the art and tradition of mariachi music. With over 30 years of experience as a performer, educator, and cultural ambassador, Louie’s musical journey has taken him from local stages in Tucson to one of the most iconic entertainment destinations in the world. Louie began performing mariachi music at a young age. In 1997, he competed here at the Mariachi Extravaganza as a member of Mariachi Juvenil Los Changuitos Feos. This experience helped shape his commitment to musical excellence and community involvement. Today, Louie performs professionally as the vihuela player with Mariachi Cobre at Walt Disney World—one of the most respected and enduring mariachi groups in the United States. Louie has devoted his time to mentoring young musicians, fostering cultural pride, and ensuring that the next generation carries forward the traditions of mariachi music with authenticity and passion. From his roots in Tucson to his role as a performer and educator on an international stage, Louie Ranjel’s career reflects a lifelong dedication to preserving and celebrating the spirit of mariachi.

Valerie Vargas
Los Altos Mariachi Art’s Council
Mariachi Las Alteñas
San Antonio, TX

Valerie Vargas is the founder and director of Mariachi Las Alteñas, a trailblazing all-female mariachi ensemble that has captivated audiences across the United States for more than 20 years. Her passion for mariachi began at a young age and by 18 she founded Mariachi Las Alteñas with a vision to empower women in music and elevate the artistry of mariachi. Under her leadership, the group has performed at prestigious venues and earned nationwide recognition for their musical excellence. Valerie earned a bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Texas at San Antonio and an MBA in Strategic Leadership. She also serves as Executive Director of the Los Altos Mariachi Arts Council, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving and promoting mariachi through education, community outreach, and cultural programming. With her passion, vision, and commitment to cultural preservation, Valerie continues to inspire and mentor the next generation of Mariachi musicians and leaders.