Maria The Mexican

Maria The Mexican is a compelling, original Americana/Mexicana/Indie Rock fusion with traditional Mexican Mariachi music as its root influence. Leader Maria Elena Cuevas learned Mariachi at the feet of her grandmother Maria Teresa Alonzo Cuevas, a pioneer in the Hispanic musical community who in 1970 founded Mariachi Estrella – one of the nation’s first all-female Mariachi bands. Mariachi Estrella flourished in the 70s and into the 80s but it’s original configuration ended in tragedy when four of its seven members were killed in the 1981 Kansas City Hyatt Skywalk collapse. Once Maria Teresa Alonzo Cuevas recovered she began teaching her granddaughters Maria Elena Cuevas and Teresa Cuevas Mariachi music. In 2000 Maria Elena Cuevas began exploring other musical genres while simultaneously co-directing Mariachi Estrella with her grandmother. Today the project Maria The Mexican is at times both an elegant and irreverent fusion of blues, soul, rock, folk, funk, social commentary and traditional Mexican musics built on an expanding original catalog of songs delivered passionately in both Spanish and English.

In concert settings singer / songwriter / guitarist Maria Elena Cuevas leads multicultural musical fusionists Maria The Mexican performing a unique hybrid of roots music genres, indie rock, traditional Mariachi influences and compelling original songwriting passionately delivered in both English and Spanish. The on-stage ensemble is 7-pieces comprising typical electrified rock band instrumentation mixed with percussion and traditional acoustic instruments.

• $2,500 + 3 Hotel Rooms (with 2 double beds each) + Hospitality
• Community/Educational Activity: $500

Maria the Mexican can perform a set of all acoustic Mexican mariachi songs for an audience that may not be inclined to attend a larger amplified performance. The group would perform such a performance with traditional mariachi acoustic instruments.

Maria the Mexican will provide an educational component entitled , “The Multicultural Musical Landscape for Young Women.” This educational activity will seek to inform young women of the professional opportunities and entanglements of the modern musical community. The seminar will take young women through the steps of developing a career in the musical arts. It will focus on writing, rehearsing, performing, recording and releasing music in today’s digital streaming age. It will also help attendees gain insight on how to promote musical works with social media.
Workshop Outline