Aída Cuevas

Aída Cuevas began singing in amateur contests at the age of 11 and was quickly discovered because of her exceptional talent. Her first national exposure was singing in a weekly live radio program called “El Taller XEW” in 1975 at the age of 12 years. A year later she was performing on stages across Europe. These performances quickly led her to be known as “La Voz de México” (The Voice of Mexico) at an early age. Her talent has led her to perform across 4 continents since 1976.

Affectionately known as “The Queen of Ranchera Music”, or “La Reina del Mariachi”, Aida Cuevas has recorded 40 albums, selling 10 million copies worldwide. Cuevas’ work has earned her one Grammy Award and one Latin Grammy Award.

Cuevas has forged one of the most distinguished careers in traditional Mexican and Latin music and has received multiple awards from presidents, kings, governments and prestigious institutions worldwide. She has taken her country’s traditional music to distinguished stages around the world.

A living legend, Aida Cuevas is considered the last great female proponent of the ranchera genre in Mexican history.

Jonathan D. Clark

Jonathan Clark, though not of Latino ancestry, developed an interest in mariachi music during his college years in San José, California, after attending a 1974 concert by Vicente Fernández and Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán. Driven by his curiosity and passion, Clark spent nearly twelve years performing at the renowned Plaza Garibaldi in Mexico City, a pivotal experience that deepened his understanding of the mariachi tradition. Upon meeting don Silvestre Vargas, retired leader of Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán, Clark became fascinated with mariachi history and began collecting photos and testimonies of immortal mariachi musicians, many of whom were still living at the time.

Returning to his native California in 1990, Clark founded the San José State University Mariachi Workshop, which he led for eight years. During that time, he began lecturing and writing on mariachi music. In 1997 he co-founded the world’s first mariachi museum, the Museo Silvestre Vargas, in Tecalitlán, Jalisco.

Jonathan Clark has continued to advance the field through numerous articles, publications, and audio-visual lectures presented at national and international mariachi conferences. Through ongoing research, educational outreach, and a commitment to sharing the rich history of mariachi, he has made a lasting impact on young musicians and the broader mariachi community—a legacy widely recognized for its depth and influence.

Alberto (Beto) Jimenez Maeda

Alberto Jiménez is a prominent figure in mariachi music, originally from Mexico City. His career began in 1985 with Mariachi De América, where he spent 20 years, including a decade as Musical Director. Jiménez has also taught at various mariachi festivals and conferences across the United States.

After relocating to Los Angeles in 2006, Jiménez contributed to the success of the Mariachi Divas, earning two Grammy Awards and eight nominations, including two for his compositions. He also worked on the Disney California Adventure production “Coco – Plaza de la Familia” as an arranger and musician.

Jiménez has accompanied legendary Latin artists such as Lola Beltrán, Rocío Dúrcal, Aida Cuevas, Amalia Mendoza, Lucha Villa, Miguel Aceves Mejía, Vicente Fernández, and Luis Miguel.

Anthony Zuñiga

Anthony Zuñiga is a world-renowned vihuela player and vocalist from Los Angeles.

He has been part of prestigious ensembles including Mariachi Sol de México, Mariachi Imperial de México, Mariachi Internacional de México, among others. Zuniga’s passion for mariachi music is evident in his extensive experience and contributions to the genre.

He has collaborated with renowned artists, including Luis Miguel, Jenny Rivera, Marco Antonio Solis, Pepe Aguilar, Alejandro Fernández, and many more, showcasing his skills and dedication to traditional Mexican music.

Vanessa Alonzo

Vanessa Alonzo is a Houston-born mariachi and mariachi-opera vocalist known for originating major roles in Cruzar La Cara de La Luna, El Milagro del Recuerdo, and El Pasado Nunca Se Termina, performing with top opera companies and world-class mariachis.

In 2010, Houston Grand Opera premiered Jose ‘Pepe’ Martinez and Leonard Foglia’s groundbreaking mariachi opera, Cruzar La Cara de La Luna. 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.

She has toured internationally, appeared on television specials, collaborated with major symphonies, and earned multiple awards recognizing her impact on the mariachi genre.

In 2014, she was recognized with The International Leadership Award by the Texas Women’s Empowerment Foundation for her distinguished career.

Josue Eduardo “Eddy” Lopez

Eddy, native of Monclova, Mexico and graduate of Berklee College of Music in Boston, is a highly accomplished instructor, arranger, composer, and multi-instrumentalist.

As a conference clinician, he has taught violin, trumpet, guitarrón, and armonía and arranged for almost all of the large mariachi conferences in the US and Mexico. As a freelance arranger, he has written hundreds of original arrangements for renowned mariachi groups and symphony orchestras across the USA and México. As a recording artist, he has arranged and recorded for many professional and Grammy Award-winning producers and artists.

He currently serves as the Mariachi Director at Grand Prairie Fine Arts Academy and continues to be in high demand as a guest clinician, arranger, and recording artist.

Nereida García

Nereida García is a distinguished Mexican American soprano recognized for her performances across the United States, Mexico, and Europe.

Her career includes collaborations with notable organizations such as Sarasota Opera, Amarillo Opera, The Living Opera, and several symphony orchestras. She has performed as a soprano soloist in major works like Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, Brahms’ Requiem, Handel’s Messiah, and Mozart’s Requiem, as well as leading roles in operas including Pagliacci, Roméo et Juliette, The Crucible, Gianni Schicchi, Le nozze di Figaro, Madama Butterfly, and Massenet’s Cendrillon.

García has performed for dignitaries and has represented her family’s home state in Mexico at international festivals. Her accolades include the “A Woman’s Voice Award,” finalist positions in prestigious competitions, and regular performances for the World Affairs Council of Houston.

In academia, García has served on the voice faculty at the University of North Texas and held teaching positions at several other universities.

Mariachi Aztlán

Founded in 1989 at UTPA (now UTRGV), Mariachi Aztlán has become a prominent ambassador of Hispanic music and culture, performing nationally and internationally and collaborating on innovative mariachi operas.

Established by Dr. Dahlia Guerra with Mr. Francisco Loera as co-director, Mariachi Aztlán has traveled across Mexico and the U.S., performing at prestigious events including a White House ceremony for President Obama in 2010.

The group premiered the world’s first mariachi opera in collaboration with Houston Grand Opera and performed at major festivals and venues such as the Tucson International Mariachi Conference, San Diego and Chicago Mariachi Festivals, the Santa Barbara Bowl, and the John F. Kennedy Performing Arts Center, among others.

The mariachi program’s success led to a Bachelor of Music in Education with a Mariachi Concentration at UTRGV, now with over 85 students.

Dr. Guerra founded a cultural foundation after retiring (The South Texas Music and Cultural Arts Foundation) while Mr. Loera continues to lead and inspire the group at UTRGV.

Today, Mariachi Aztlán is known not only for its academic accomplishments but also for its professional achievements. The ensemble is currently touring with the legendary Aída Cuevas, Mexico’s most successful female ranchera artist. Their collaboration with Cuevas solidifies UTRGV’s mariachi program as a premier institution for nurturing talent capable of performing at the highest levels.