There was an abundance of extraordinary talent on display throughout all three days of the Mariachi Extravaganza in San Antonio. That talent will now continue to shine on national stages across the country as many of this year’s winners take the next step in showcasing their talents.
Texas State University will travel to Detroit, Michigan, to perform at the Detroit Opera House, where they will open for Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán on May 9. Roma ISD mariachi groups will journey to New York City on June 9 to perform at the prestigious Carnegie Hall, while Las Vegas High School will be among the many young artists competing on a University stage at UNLV during the 2nd Annual Mariachi Extravaganza Las Vegas on March 28.
With the help of sponsors, supporters, and a collaboration with the Detroit Opera, we are proud to announce that $50,000 in scholarships, grants, prizes, trophies, medals, and travel opportunities will be awarded in support of Mariachi Extravaganza competition winners. This is a record-breaking amount and the largest contribution in the history of the Extravaganza made possible through the support of the entire mariachi community, participants/attendees of the competitions/concert and our sponsors. Our major contributors included longtime sponsors KHS Alianza Académica and H-E-B, along with a new supporter this year, the Bloomberg Foundation (College Possible). We are also grateful for the continued support of Raising Cane’s and CULTIVAR along with newcomers – the Freeman Coliseum and the Los Altos Mariachi Arts Council.
Beyond witnessing unforgettable performances, there is deep sense of gratitude in being able to reinvest in mariachi groups and young artists in support of their continuous development of the art form. We thank everyone who helped make this milestone possible and congratulate all of the participants and winners listed below.
College/University Group Winners
1st Place – Mariachi Nueva Generación, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX
$15,000 Travel Grant Recipient for performance at the Detroit Opera House on May 9, 2026
2nd Place – Mariachi Los Paisanos, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
3rd Place – Mariachi Pumas, University of Houston, Houston, TX
High School Group Winners
1st Place – Mariachi Nuevo Santander, Roma High School, Roma, TX
$5,000 Travel Grant Recipient for performance at Carnegie Hall on June 9, 2026
2nd Place – Mariachi Oro de McAllen High School, McAllen High School, McAllen, TX
3rd Place (tie) – Mariachi Joya, Las Vegas High School, Las Vegas, NV
3rd Place (tie) – Mariachi Sol Azteca, Grand Prairie Fine Arts Academy, Grand Prairie, TX
High School Sectionals
Best Violins Section:
Mariachi Nuevo Santander, Roma High School, Roma, TX
$500 Grant Recipient from Los Altos Mariachi Arts Council
Best Armonias Section:
Mariachi Nuevo Santander, Roma High School, Roma, TX
$500 Grant Recipient from Los Altos Mariachi Arts Council
Best Trumpets Section:
Mariachi Nuevo Santander, Roma High School, Roma, TX
$250 Grant Recipient from Los Altos Mariachi Arts Council
Mariachi Oro de McAllen High School, McAllen High School, McAllen, TX
$250 Grant Recipient from Los Altos Mariachi Arts Council
Middle School Group Winners
1st Place – Mariachi Escandon, Roma Middle School, Roma, TX
2nd Place – Mariachi los Gavilanes, Monaco Middle School, Las Vegas, NV
3rd Place – Mariachi Juvenil de America, Grulla Middle School, Rio Grande City, TX
Middle School Sectionals
Best Violin Section:
Mariachi Escandon, Roma Middle School, Roma, TX
Best Armonias Section:
Mariachi Juvenil de America, Grulla Middle School, Rio Grande City, TX
Best Trumpets Section:
Mariachi los Gavilanes, Monaco Middle School, Las Vegas, NV
Recipient of a Jupiter trumpet donated by KHS Alianza Academica
National Vocal Competition Grand Champion
Allyson Contador, Mcallen High School, McAllen, TX
$5,000 Scholarship Recipient
College/University Vocal Winners
1st Place – Isabella Gonzalez, University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley, Edinburg, TX
$1,500 Scholarship Recipient
2nd Place – Jenika Montes, University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley, Edinburg, TX
$1,000 Scholarship Recipient
3rd Place – Taytum Rangel, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
$750 Scholarship Recipient
High School Vocal Winners
1st Place – Clairet Melendez
$1,000 Scholarship Recipient
2nd Place – Leylanie Rodriguez
$750 Scholarship Recipient
3rd Place – Kamil Villa-Sansores
$500 Scholarship Recipient
Middle School Vocal Winners
1st Place – Cristaly Leal, Zapata Middle School, Zapata, TX
$1,000 Scholarship Recipient
2nd Place – Emma Noriega, Mark Twain Dual Language Academy, San Antonio, TX
$750 Scholarship Recipient
3rd Place – Alexia Orta, Houston Academy, Houston, TX
$500 Scholarship Recipient
Elementary School Vocal Winners
1st Place – Matteo Alvarez, YES Prep North Forest Elementary School, Houston, TX
$1,000 Scholarship Recipient
2nd Place – Mateo Soto, Millsap Elementary School, Houston, TX
$750 Scholarship Recipient
Additional grants were awarded to Grulla High School and Rio Grande City High School for their performance during the Mariachi Extravaganza as 1st place winners – High School Category – in 2024.
Join us in Las Vegas on March 28 for more opportunities to participate in competitions, showcase your talents, build new friendships, make new connections, win scholarships, and most importantly, share your passion with others!
