Nearly 50 student mariachi vocalists spent a week in the Carlos Alvarez Studio Theatre at the Tobin Center of the Performing Arts learning about vocal performance from professional mariachi musicians. The week long summer camp hosted students all the way from California, Arizona, Florida, the Rio Grande Valley, Houston, Midland/Odessa and San Antonio and surrounding areas.

Featured instructors of the camp included Alicia Covarrubias, a local and very accomplished mariachi educator who has trained many award winning vocalists; Houston native Vanessa Alonzo, who is a former Grand Champion Vocalist of the Mariachi Extravaganza and is one of the original cast members of the popular mariachi opera Cruzar La Cara de La Luna; Dr. Octavio Moreno, who holds a doctorate degree in music from the University of Arizona, and is also a cast member of Cruzar La Cara de La Luna; and former guitarist and vocalist of Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán, Jonathan Palomar. The four instructors were able to teach subjects like stage presence, interpretation, diction, and intonation as well as teach the kids one on one in private voice lessons.

Several students had the opportunity to interact with local media outlets in radio and TV interviews. Merari Uribe who attends Palmview High School in South Texas was showcased in an interview on the popular morning show Great Day SA,, while local student Lianna Hernandez was featured in a Texas public Radio article where she shared her experience of the camp and as a mariachi musician.

The week ended with the Summer Recital on Friday night where all students were featured as soloists or in the one of a kind Mariachi Choir that performed in front of a sold out crowd at the Carlos Alvarez Studio Theatre accompanied by UTSA’s Mariachi Los paisanos. The event MC’s included the lovely Miss Nayelli Pena from Grulla, Texas along with charming Miss Jizelle Rodriguez from Kyle. The stage lit up in color when the students walked up as a choir. Mariachi trajes and dress of all different colors and styles shined and glimmered as the students got ready to perform. The recital culminated with the Mariachi Choir performing the songs Juana Gallo and Así Somos En Jalisco which they learned in less than a week. Additionally, instructors Alicia, Leon, Vanessa, Octavio and Jonathan shocked everyone with surprise performances of Volver Volver, Amor De Los Dos, and Llamarada. Click here to watch the full recital.

The Mariachi Extravaganza Summer Camp was made possible by student participants, concert attendees and a grant from CULTIVAR at Texas A&M University. A portion of the proceeds generated from the Mariachi Extravaganza helps support the camp.

Thanks to the students, parents, maestros, volunteers and staff for your participation in this event. And a huge thanks to Michael Acevedo and UTSA’s Mariachi Los Paisanos for your dedication and commitment to providing the accompaniment for all of the students. Everyone has an important role to play in producing the end result – the recital – and it was thoroughly enjoyable for all!!! And, the event was sold out once again this year and, most importantly, we appreciate the support from the audience.

Here’s what some of the students had to say about the camp:

Thank you for allowing me to join the Mariachi Extravaganza Summer Camp. The instructors were of the highest caliber. They were welcoming and extremely talented. I enjoyed learning from their professional experience. 

I am in awe of the talent from my fellow students and I can’t wait to cheer them on at the Mariachi Extravaganza competitions. I have my ticket ready.

The camp has given me the foundation to seek out a Mariachi group in San Jose.  I am excited about the things I will continue learning. 

Conchita from California

Mark your calendar for July 21-25 for the 2025 Mariachi Extravaganza Summer Camp and for the big 30th Annual Mariachi Extravaganza December 5-7, 2024.

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