Winners of the 2024 National Mariachi Youth Vocalist Competition

July 12, 2024 - Mariachi Festival Presents Winners of the 2024 National Mariachi Youth Vocalist Competition

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Houston, Texas - "The winners of the 2024 National Mariachi Youth Vocalist Competition have been selected," says Macaria Mendez, Chair of Mariachi Festival Board of Directors. "There were three categories: high school, middle school and elementary school. This competition was among some of the best mariachi vocalists from around the country, which made the final selection process difficult for our judges."

"It’s clear that a number of these young artists possess talent, with some being naturally gifted and others driven by their passion for music. Ultimately, those who have dedicated themselves to honing their craft and can perform effortlessly are the ones who shine. Especially those that can evoke emotions with their performances," says Carlos Luna, a judge for the competition.

The 2024 winners are as follows:

• Elementary School - Alessandra Gutierrez - 7-year-old from Bakersfield, California.
• Middle School - Kaylee Bucio - 13-year-old from West Jordan, Utah.
• High School - Reina Ley - 16-year-old from Sun Tan Valley, Arizona
• High School - Isabella Karol Gonzalez - 17-year-old from Roma, Texas.

"The winners will be performing at the Mariachi Festival at the Wortham Theater in downtown Houston, Texas on August 24, 2024," says the producer of this event, Ben Mendez. "They will be performing with the University of Houston Mariachi Pumas led by Jose Longoria. I know these four young mariachis will go on to be famous one day. They have the talent and the heart. We are happy to be a small part of their journey."

Also performing at the three-day mariachi festival will be Oscar De La Rosa from La Mafia, Eduardo Antonio Trevino, Carolina Rodriguez (Winner of the 2024 UTRGV FESTIBA Mariachi Vocal Competition), Yasmine Duenes (Grand Champion of the 2023 Mariachi Extravaganza Vocal Competition), Mariachi 7 Leguas, Mariachi Mariposas, Mariachi Imperial de America, Houston Area All-Star High School Mariachi Group, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Ballet Folklórico, Ballet Folklórico South Texas College, and Mexico en Danzas Grupo Folklórico.

"Mariachi Festival cannot thank our sponsors enough for their support. It is because of their support that we are able to showcase this great entertainment promoting mariachi music and our Hispanic culture. A big thanks to Telemundo, Que Onda Magazine, Action Gypsum Supply, Compean Funeral Home, and The Gonzalez Law Group for believing in us and supporting our mission," says Mendez.

Mariachi Festival is a 501c(3) non-profit organization founded in 2019. Its mission is to promote our Hispanic culture through the arts.

For tickets to the 3-day Mariachi Festival, please go to www.MariachiFestival.com. Tickets start at $19.