Summer is near and students interested in mariachi music now have more choices than ever before to participate in mariachi-related summer camps. Camps are being offered to students through community and university organizations interested in offering opportunities to develop their skills in mariachi voice and instrumentation. This year, The University of Texas- Austin, Texas State University in San Marcos, the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center and the Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza are offering camps beginning June 10 – August 9. Students now have the luxury to participate in several camps all summer.
The longest-running mariachi camp is the MARIACHI EXTRAVAGANZA SUMMER CAMP, now in its 8th consecutive year. This camp is strictly a voice camp which helps students at all levels strengthen their skills in voice, interpretation, pronunciation, stage performance, public speaking and more. Last year, students from 25 cities nationwide participated. The camp is open to all students ages 10-20.
Mariachi Extravaganza camp maestros include the Tucson, Arizona based baritone Octavio Moreno and sopranos Vanessa Alonso (desde Houston) and New York City based Christina Maxwell, all accomplished vocalists and performers.
The MARIACHI EXTRAVAGANZA SUMMER CAMP helps students prepare for competitions including the 25th Annual Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza National Vocal Competition Sat., Dec. 7 at the Lila Cockrell Theater. Former MVE Grand Champion winners participating in the camp include Kamryn Ramirez, Jizelle Rodriguez and Nathania Flores.
The MARIACHI EXTRAVAGANZA SUMMER CAMP will be held June 17-21, 2019 at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts – Carlos Alvarez Theater. Students will perform during a public recital finale on Friday, June 21st at the Carlos Alvarez Theater at 7 p.m.
Click HERE to register for the 8TH ANNUAL MARIACHI EXTRAVAGANZA SUMMER CAMP. Registration is $175 by Friday, May 24th. Late registration is $200 by Friday, June 7.
Past participants of the Mariachi Extravaganza Summer Camp and/or the Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza National Vocal Competitions include:
Francisco Garcia of Roma, Texas who recently performed in El Pasado Nunca Se Termina with the Fort Worth Grand Opera and Mariachi Nuevo Tecalitlán. The production recently concluded for the season.
Clyde Guerra, current participant in La Voz México, a singing competition on TV Azteca.
Brooke Talk who is currently competing on Tengo Talento, Mucho Talento, the Spanish version of America’s Got Talent.
Nathania Flores, the 24th Annual Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza Grand Champion Vocalist who will perform in Greeley and Lone Tree, Colorado with Mariachi Aztlán and the UTRGV Ballet Folklórico in July.
Additional Mariachi Camps include the following:
Texas State University – La Sirena Vocal Camp
Hosted by: Texas State University – San Marcos – Latin Music Studies
Date: June 10-14, 2019
Location: Texas State University Performing Arts Center – Recital Hall
How to register: https://lasirenavocalcamptxst.weebly.com/
Deadline to register: Saturday, May 18, 2019
Who can register: Any students in grades 9-12 (High School)
Instructors: Michelle Quintero
Texas State University – Youth Mariachi Summer Camp
Hosted by: Texas State University – San Marcos – Latin Music Studies
Date: June 17-21, 2019
Location: Centro Cultural Hispano de San Marcos
How to register: http://www.youthmariachi.com/youth-mariachi-summer-camp-2019.html
Deadline to register: Saturday, May 18, 2019
Uniqueness of the camp: instrumental and vocal
Who can register: Students in grades K-12
Instructors: John López, Michelle Quintero and Miguel Guzmán
UT Longhorn Mariachi Camp
Hosted by: The University of Texas at Austin
Date: June 30-July 3, 2019
Location: UT-Austin Butler School of Music
How to Register: Register here
Deadline to Register: June 1, 2019
Who can register: High school sophomores, juniors or seniors
Instructors: Instrumental and vocal instruction as well as lectures with Josué Eduardo “Eddy” López, Mark Fogelquist, Miguel Guzmán, Vanessa Alonzo, Adolfo Estrada and others.
4th Annual Guadalupe Summer Mariachi Music Camp
Hosted by: Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center
Date: August 5-9, 2019 (Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.)
Location: Galería Guadalupe, 723 S. Brazos St., 78207
How to register: Call (210) 271-3151, ext. 225
Deadline to Register: July 29,2019
Who can register: Students of all ages and levels
Instructors: Members of San Antonio-based Mariachi Azteca de América will teach stage performance, theory of music, repertoire, vocals, ensemble techniques, musical arranging and history of mariachi. Click here for more information.
There are many more mariachi summer camps happening throughout the season, however these camps are limited to students in their respective school district. For more information on district-wide camps, reach out to the mariachi directors of said district.
Cynthia Muñoz, producer of the Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza is pleased with the rapid growth of summer mariachi camps throughout Texas.
“There are many students who want to participate in Mariachi Summer camps but may be limited in resources for travel expenses,” said Muñoz. “It’s great to see more camps being offered in various locations as this will give more students the opportunity to participate,” she says.
MPR encourages all students to participate in one or more mariachi camps.
Don’t forget! The deadline to participate in the Mariachi Vargas National Vocal Competition is less than five months away! October 1! Any of these summer camps can help you get a head-start in planning for the toughest mariachi vocal competition in the nation!
