Mariachi Ensembles

About the Artists

Alexandra Dorantes

Recording artist and Latin GRAMMY® voting member Alexandra Dorantes has established herself as a rising star in traditional Mexican music, captivating audiences with her powerful and authentic voice. She has won 13 national, state, and local mariachi vocal competitions, earned four UIL Outstanding Performer Vocalist Gold Medals, and was a member of the inaugural TMEA All-State Mariachi Ensemble in 2021. At just 19, Alexandra became a Latin GRAMMYs® voting member following the release of her debut album, Ni Contigo, Ni Sin Ti, marking a significant milestone in her career. In 2024, her official music videos for Hoy Por Fin and Que El Mundo Ruede surpassed 2 million views on YouTube. Her second studio album, Inolvidable, stands as a heartfelt tribute to Mexico’s rich musical heritage and her deep artistic identity. Currently a senior at UT Austin, Alexandra is completing her bachelor of music in vocal performance with a minor in arts management and administration. Set to graduate in May 2025, she has earned University honors for eight consecutive semesters, embodying excellence as an artist and ambassador of Mexican music.

Laura Camacho

Laura Camacho is an Argentine composer, orchestra bassist, tango ensemble instructor, and Mariachi Ensembles teaching assistant. Since 2012 she is the founder and music director of Athens Tango Project, featured on local NPR stations, radios worldwide, local papers, and two documentaries. She has lectured at University of Georgia, Ga Tech, Texas Tech, Coastal SC University, University of Illinois, and presented at the Tango In The Humanities Conference at Emory University. Her awards include Arte Ga, by National Endowment for the Arts; Flagpole Music Awards; Cohen New Works Festival; UT COFA; and Planet Texas 2050. A Ph.D. student in ethnomusicology at Butler School of Music, Camacho focuses on young tango communities, Latin American music, and sound studies. She holds a degree in double bass performance from the Manuel de Falla Conservatory, and Magna Cum Laude Bachelor’s and master's from University of Georgia. She studied composition with Ariel Pirotti, and trailblazer Julián Peralta. She recently released her single ECOS, recorded with Latin Grammy Nominee Emiliano Messiez. 
 

Kimberly Gonzales

Kimberly Gonzales is a proud alumna of Texas Tech University, where she earned both a bachelor of music and a master’s degree in Music Education. She began her teaching journey nine years ago at Mackenzie Middle School in Lubbock, Texas, where she led the orchestra program. Six years ago, she launched the school’s mariachi program, which quickly became a cornerstone of the fine arts department. Under her guidance, the program flourished—growing in size, visibility, and impact—while offering students enriching and memorable musical experiences. Kimberly now serves as the Mariachi Director at Lubbock High School, where she is in her first year continuing to nurture and grow the program’s legacy. In addition to her work, she contributes to the broader music education community as the Region 16 Mariachi Coordinator.

Greg Cavazos

Greg Cavazos is a highly respected mariachi director with nearly two decades of experience in education and performance throughout Texas. He has held key positions as a mariachi director at Eagle Pass High School, Cavazos Middle School, and Lubbock High School, where he cultivated vibrant mariachi programs and inspired countless students to pursue their musical passions. Mr. Cavazos holds a bachelor of music in Music Education from Texas A&M University-Kingsville where he directed Mariachi Javelina from 1998 to 2003 and a master of music in Musicology from Texas Tech University, focusing on the development of mariachi trumpet in his thesis, "The Development of Mariachi Trumpet within the Son Jalisciense." As an active member of the Texas Music Adjudicators Association, he evaluates mariachi ensembles statewide and has served as a clinician for All-Region Mariachi ensembles in TMEA Regions 20, 15, 11, and 8. Currently, he directs the Mariachi Ensembles at The University of Texas at Austin and is a part of the Music and Human Learning faculty. Through his extensive experience and contributions,  Cavazos is a passionate advocate for mariachi music, dedicated to nurturing young talent and preserving this rich cultural tradition. 


 

Musicians

Mariachi de Oro
Lubbock High School

Mariachi Utlán  
Butler School of Music

Mariachi Paredes de Tejastitlán 
Butler School of Music

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