Houston students join lineup at 6th annual Mariachi Festival this weekend
Two local students will be among the headliners when the 6th annual Mariachi Festival opens this weekend at Wortham Theater, part of a three-day program of mariachi music and folklórico groups running Aug. 22–24.
Seventeen-year-old Zayden Longoria, a student at Sam Houston Math, Science and Technology Center, won the high school category in the National Youth Mariachi Vocalist Competition. Twelve-year-old Alexia Orta of Klein ISD took first place in the middle school division. Both will perform on Sunday, Aug. 24, accompanied by Mariachi Del Bosque, winners of the 2025 Houston Rodeo Mariachi Invitational.
The competition also recognized Yamileth Arellano, 7, of Kearns, Utah, as the elementary school winner, and Javier Pizarro, 18, of Oaxaca, Mexico, in the college division.
"This competition featured some of the finest mariachi vocalists, making the final selection incredibly challenging," said Macaria Mendez, board chair of the Mariachi Festival. "This year's winners showcase a wide spectrum of talent."
"Some young artists have natural talent, while others excel through passion and commitment to mariachi music," added Carlos Luna, a judge for the competition. "Their dedication and emotional connection with audiences set them apart. These four young mariachis have promising futures, and we're proud to support their journey."
For Longoria, Sunday's performance adds to a year of national attention. Earlier in 2025, his school's mariachi group and students from Klein Collins High School went viral after an impromptu performance of "El Son de la Negra" at a Whataburger in Refugio, Texas, following a UIL competition. The video drew more than two million views on TikTok and the directors of both school groups were later invited to share the story on The Kelly Clarkson Show.
This weekend's festival lineup also includes the Houston-area All-Star High School Mariachi Group, the University of Houston Mariachi Pumas, Mariachi Imperial de America, Mexico en Danzas Grupo Folklórico and Mariachi 7 Leguas. Guest artists include Mateo Lopez, recognized by Guinness World Records as the youngest professional mariachi singer, and Lorraine Garza, Grand Champion of the 2025 Mariachi Extravaganza. Additional performances feature Mariachi Mariposas, the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Ballet Folklórico, Ballet Folklórico South Texas College, Klein Collins High School Mariachi Group, Sam Houston High School Mariachi Group and past winners Alessandra Gutierrez and Kaylee Bucio.
Mariachi Festival
When: Aug. 22-23: 7 p.m., Aug. 24: 3 p.m.
Where: Wortham Theater Center, 501 Texas Ave
Tickets: $29 and up; mariachifestival.com
