Gabriela Cruz has been practicing for this week her whole life. The TCU sophomore music education major is a semi-finalist in the National Vocal Competition for the 30th Annual Mariachi Extravaganza.
"I will say, I think I'm a bit nervous," Cruz said. "Because I'm singing in front of thousands of mariachi players."
This is Cruz's second year making it to the competition. Last year as a freshman, she made it to the finals.
"Gabby works so hard by herself. She's such a humble young lady," said TCU Mariachi Sangre Royal Co-Director Imelda Martinez. "I don't think she realizes how hard it is to be in the competition. She knows that it's very competitive, but for someone to make it 2 times in a row is almost unheard of!"
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Cruz said mariachi music is more than just hitting the right notes...it's feeling those notes and conveying them to the audience.
"As a mariachi vocalist, it's like you're showing people what Mexico is," Cruz said. "I love singing mariachi music."
Cruz said she loves performing and seeing the genre gain popularity.
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"I feel like a winner being in the semi-finals, because I mean, it's a very hard competition," Cruz said. "Winning this competition would mean the world to me. Baby Gabby would be so proud of me!"
The 30th Annual Mariachi Extravaganza semi-finals are Thursday, December 5 in San Antonio. The finals are this weekend.
The TCU Mariachi Sangre Royal will accompany Cruz and also compete. With just 2 years in existence, the ensemble will be the newest in the competition.
