Lorraine Garza from Roma, Texas was named “Grand Champion” during the 30th Annual Mariachi Extravaganza. This is the top award and highest honor given to vocalists competing in the National Vocal Competition Finals on Saturday, December 7 at the Lila Cockrell Theatre.
The competition started on Thursday, December 5 with 40 vocalists from 23 cities across the country competing in the vocal semifinals. Judges included Octavio Moreno, Jonathan Palomar and Vanessa Alonzo who selected 15 students to move on to the finals. “The selection was very difficult because there was so much talent,” says Vanessa. “We want everyone to move on to the finals but this is not possible so the judges must scrutinize every detail. At the end of the day, we want to be as fair as possible in selecting the top vocalists,” she added.
Lorraine rose to the top with the song “Te Voy a Terminar” during the vocal semifinals where she stood out as a strong competitor. “I felt like I had given everything I had,” says Lorraine. I was very happy with my performance. I was sitting with all of my family during the announcement of the vocal finals and when they called my name, I was in complete shock. All my family jumped on top of me to congratulate me,” she says.
Finalists returned on Saturday, December 7 to compete in front of judges made up of members of the world renowned Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán. Mariachi Vargas’ musical Director Carlos Martinez, Andres Gonzalez (vocalist and violinist) and Arturo Vargas (vocalist/guitarist) judged the competition.
“I was really proud of myself during the finals,” says Lorraine. “It was a little sad being on my own, and not having the support from my school, but I had lots of support from my friends and family. I really wanted to go out there and give a great performance and leave my heart out on the stage and I did,” she added.
The competition was loaded with extraordinary talent from students ranging from 11 – 23 years old and representing elementary/middle schools, high schools and colleges/university across the country. Jonathan Palomar and member Vargas announced Lorraine as the Grand Champion during the awards late Saturday afternoon.
“I was excited and nervous during the announcement of the winners. They called out the first, second and third place winners for the elementary/middle school and college/university categories and left high school for last so anticipation was growing. They announced the first, second and third place winners of high school and my name had not been called. But then, when they announced my name as the Grand Champion Vocal Winner, I couldn’t believe it…I was so excited. My family was going crazy. My little brothers didn’t quite understand what was happening but they knew I had won something and were excited for me. It was also really special to have my dad there. He works in Oklahoma and drove all the way from Lawton to come and see me. He said he wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
Lorraine was accompanied by UTSA’s Mariachi Los Paisanos who placed 2nd in the college/university group competitions at this year’s Extravaganza. “Lorraine’s tone and vibrato is impressive,” says Michael Acevedo, UTSA’s Mariachi Director. “We all felt really good about her performance, and accompanying her, was like a perfect fit. She was really happy with the music and felt really comfortable with the group on stage,” he added.
Lorraine was awarded an invitation to open for Mariachi Vargas on Saturday night in front of a sold out crowd of 2,300 people where she gave a knockout performance. She received a $5,000 scholarship made possible by festival sponsors H-E-B and KHS America Academic Alliance. Additional support was provided by Bexar County Commissioner Tommy Calvert, Raising Cane’s, Whataburger and the San Antonio Film Commission. A matching $5,000 scholarship has been offered to Lorraine if she chooses to attend UTSA when she graduates from high school in 2026. She also received an invitation to open for the Mariachi Extravaganza – Las Vegas –on Saturday, March 8 and the Houston Mariachi Festival on August 22-24, 2025. She will also receive a $500 gift card from Raising Cane’s for meals for a year bringing the total prize package win to more than $15,000.
Lorraine has been involved in mariachi music programs since 6th grade. She began competing in vocal competitions at FESTIBA in Edinburg and Brownsville where she won first place in 8th grade. She continued her freshman year where she won 3rd place in the high school category at FESTIBA before competing in the Mariachi Extravaganza for the first time last year and winning the Grand Champion title this year.
“Lorraine is an amazing young lady and an entrepreneur,” says Vanessa Alonzo. “Not only is she an incredible vocalist, but with the help of her mom and dad, she opened up “Yummy Treats” as her own catering business a year ago providing fruit salads with chamoy and gummies, and helotes, for special events, parties and celebrations. She is one of 7 children in her family and will be the first to attend college where she plans to study nursing.
Congratulations to Lorraine who is now attending Grulla High School where she will be joining the Mariachi Grulla de Plata family. “Grulla has been very warm and supportive,” says Lorraine. “They have welcomed me with open arms and I’m happy to be part of the team and start working with them on creating great music,” she added. “I wish the best to Roma and will continue following my dreams and pursuing my career goals,” she added.
The vocal competition was added to the Mariachi Extravaganza in 1997 (two years after the event began in 1995). The event has helped catapult the careers of young artists, many who have gone on to perform in mariachi operas, tour, record and further their education.
The Mariachi Extravaganza is proud of all of the students who participated in the 30th Annual Mariachi Extravaganza video submissions, semifinals and finals. The Mariachi Extravaganza Group and Vocal competitions will now expand to Las Vegas to give students in the Western part of the U.S. an opportunity to participate. Registration to compete in the Mariachi Extravaganza – Las Vegas – Vocal and group competitions will open soon. The competitions will take place on Saturday, March 8, 2025.
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Click here for a complete list of winners for the 30th Annual Mariachi Extravaganza.
Click here to read about Alexis Perez, 1st place winner Vocal Competition – College/University category.
