In collaboration with the 27th Annual Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza, Guadalajara based mariachi vocalist Sandra Guevara helped produce six mariachi vocal tutorials specifically for the students who are planning to audition for this year’s National Vocal Competition. The tutorials will cover all major points that the judges of the competition look and listen for when students perform. Some of these include: song interpretation, stage presence, diction and pronunciation, pitch, dynamics, and falsetto.

Registration for the National Vocal and group competitions will open on September 1 to any individual or mariachi program that would like to participate. If you are participating in both competitions you will have to fill out BOTH registration forms. For more information please visit Mariachimusic.com. The deadline to register for the National Vocal Competition is October 1.

Sandra Guevara’s video tutorials were shot at SoundTube Multimedia Studios in Guadalajara, Mexico. “We started our day at 8 AM and finished by 10 PM” said Sandra during a phone conversation. “I want to give a huge thanks to Pedro and Roberto Hernandez from Mariachi Nuevo Tecalitlán for accompanying me on guitarrón and vihuela,” she added. “I have never really taken any singing lessons, but the tips I share with you are very valuable to me and I always keep them in mind and I hope they’re helpful to you.” 

In addition to the tutorials, Sandra also shares some insights on what it took to produce her rendition of the popular song La Llorona, in which she sang in the old Zapoteca dialect of the Mexican natives. The video was recorded at the El Refugio Cultural Center in Tlaquepaque with the participation of Ballet Gala de México.

A message to the competitors from Sandra Guevara:

“Always fight for your dreams. Keep supporting this beautiful music that our culture gave us. Do not look at this as a competition, look at it as something you enjoy and you love, that way you have more fun. No matter what happens, I am your number one fan just for the fact that you are singing this beautiful music. Good luck to all!”.

About Sandra Guevara

Sandra, also known as La reina de la musica bravia, is a well recognized vocalist and has had a remarkable career in mariachi. She started singing mariachi at the age of seven in her father’s group Mariachi Instrumental de Jesus Guevara. Since then, she has participated in several television contests, cultural events, and thus, giving a shape to her career.

In 2009, Sandra was invited to Studio Rancho Viejo, Vicente Fernández’s personal recording studio located in ranch Los Tres Potrillos, to listen to a music production that was still in the works. Her friend was the sound engineer at the time and wanted some input. To everyone’s surprise Vicente showed up unannounced, and asked if Sandra could sing for him. He enjoyed her singing so much that he personally invited her to be his opening act for his tour in the United States. 

Sandra’s goal as a performer is to keep promoting Mexican regional music and to inspire future artists to do so as well. She is currently working on a new album expected to be released in 2022. 

The production of Sandra Guevara’s Vocal Tutorials was made possible Muñoz Public Relations, producers of the 27th Annual Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza.