About Vanessa Alonzo

South Texas Mariachi Festival 2025 Performer

Vanessa Alonzo, a Houston native, began her mariachi music training at the age of twelve under the guidance of Alice Valdez and Alfonso Guerra at Multicultural Education and Counseling through the Arts (MECA).

In 2010, Houston Grand Opera premiered Jose ‘Pepe’ Martinez and Leonard Foglia’s groundbreaking mariachi opera, Cruzar La Cara de La Luna/To Cross the Face of the Moon. Alonzo’s portrayal of Lupita in this production was a resounding success, and she went on to reprise the role nationally at esteemed opera houses such as the Houston Grand Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, San Diego Opera, Arizona Opera, Fort Worth Opera sharing the stage with the renowned Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan and Mariachi Aztlán from UTRGV.

In 2018, Alonzo reprised her role as Lupita with multiple Grammy Award-winning Mariachi Los Camperos. Their performances at the New York City Opera and El Paso Opera captivated audiences and most recently with Lyric Opera of Kansas City.

In 2024, Alonzo continued to enchant audiences with her portrayal of Lupita, performing with Opera San Antonio and Mariachi Campanas de America. Her international journey took her to Paris, France, where she graced the stage of the Théâtre du Châtelet, and Quito, Ecuador, where she performed at Teatro Nacional Sucre.

In 2019, Alonzo created the role of Lupita in the world premiere of Houston Grand Opera’s El Milagro del Recuerdo, a Christmas prequel to Cruzar La Cara De La Luna. This role was reprised with Arizona Opera in 2021 and Houston Grand Opera in 2022, and San Diego Opera in 2023.

In 2015, Ms. Alonzo continued creating for the mariachi opera genre by creating the role of Juana in the second mariachi opera by the renowned creative team, Foglia and Martinez, titled El Pasado Nunca Se Termina/ The Past is Never Finished. This performance was part of a tri-city premiere tour, where Ms. Alonzo graced the stages of the Lyric Opera of Chicago, San Diego Opera, and Houston Grand Opera, accompanied by the esteemed Mariachi Vargas De Tecalitlan. In 2019, she reprised her remarkable performance as Juana at the prestigious Fort Worth Opera Festival, once again collaborating with Mariachi Nuevo Tecalitlán.

Ms. Alonzo’s mariachi style has consistently opened doors to performing at prestigious events. In 2019, she dazzled audiences at the Houston Grand Opera Ball, accompanied by the renowned Mariachi Los Camperos. Later that year, she took the stage at Minnesota Opera’s Ópera Afuera at Allianz Field, showcasing her talent to a wider audience.

In 2021, she further showcased her versatility by collaborating with Trío Chapultepec for Austin Opera’s Concerts at the Consulate series. Additionally, she performed for the South Bend Symphony Orchestra during their Día De Los Muertos 2022 festivities, accompanied by Trío Chapultepec. In 2024, Ms. Alonzo was delighted to be invited back to perform with the South Bend Symphony Orchestra and Trío Chapultepec for their highly anticipated Dia De Los Muertos Concert.

Throughout her career, Ms. Alonzo has received numerous accolades for her exceptional contributions to the mariachi genre. In 2023, she was honored with The Influential Latina Award by the Houston Mariachi Festival. In 2014, she was recognized with The International Leadership Award by the Texas Women’s Empowerment Foundation for her distinguished career. In 1999, Ms. Alonzo’s talent was further recognized when she emerged as the Grand Champion Vocalist at the prestigious Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza vocal competition, a highly esteemed event judged by the renowned Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan.

Vanessa’s notable credits include tours to Ireland, Mexico, Norway, and Vietnam with Mariachi MECA. She’s also made television appearances, including on Univision’s El Show de Cristina, where she participated in the Festival de Rancheras and as a finalist on Estrella TV’s Tengo Talento, Mucho Talento in 2011. Additionally, she participated in the 1999 and 2000 Encuentro Internacional del Mariachi y Charrería in Guadalajara, Jalisco.