Christen Middle School eighth grader Aymar Cantu has been selected for the Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza 2023 National Vocal Competition Finals. The 29th Annual Mariachi Vargas National Vocal Finalist Competition is set for Saturday, December 2, at the Lila Cockrell Theater in San Antonio, Texas.
Cantu was among hundreds of musicians to submit an audition video of her singing and uploaded it to YouTube for the preliminary phase of the competition. Aymar is one of 8 talented finalists in the Elementary/Middle School category selected to participate in the National Vocalist Competition.
Aymar is thrilled to be selected as a finalist for this year’s competition. “I feel super happy. I’m super excited to be performing. I didn’t think I was going to make it,” said Cantu. “But I’m so thankful I did make it. I hope I can place or win at the competition.”
Cantu became interested in Mariachi when she joined the choir in elementary school. “I was in second grade when I joined the choir, but my music teacher Ms. Luz Escudero wanted me to try out for mariachi,” said Cantu. “So that is when I started playing the violin and signing for Mariachi and I just fell in love with it.”
Aymar credits her success to her biggest supporters her parents, Mariachi Instructor Ruben Guadian, who is the Director of Mariachi at Christen Middle School, and her former music teacher at Macdonell Elementary School Ms. Escudero
“I want to thank my parents, Mr. Guadian, and my music teacher at Macdonell Elementary School Ms. Luz Escudero who helped me a lot with my music,” said Cantu. “I honestly want to thank them for everything they have done for me. They have been pushing me through all of this and they are the ones that believe in me. Hopefully I can make them proud.”
“Aymar is a very talented lady. She is an amazing performer. We are really proud of her here at Christen Middle School,” said Guadian. “She has a really nice vocal timbre and I know that is the reason she made it to this competition.”
“It’s a real hard competition. Aymar competed in tryouts against hundreds of students from different states and only 40 students from elementary school, middle school, high school and college are selected as finalist for this competition and Aymar is one of them,” said Guadian.
Aymar will be performing “El hombre que yo amo” by Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles. She is also a talented musician as she plays the violin and guitar.
The top vocal finalists vie for the Grand Champion title during the 29th Annual Mariachi Extravaganza National Vocal Competition. Exceptionally talented vocalists compete in one of three categories: Elementary/Middle School, High School and College/University. Finalists adorn traditional trajes and elegant, Mexican-inspired dresses while demonstrating vocal talent and skills with traditional mariachi songs and live mariachi accompaniment. Excitement builds with one great performance after another where nearly 40 students showcase their skills in front of a discerning panel of judges and a live audience. Judges select first, second and third place winners in each category, but the thrill of the event, is the announcement of the Grand Champion Vocal winner. Finalist will be judged on stage presence, showmanship, and attire.