Two talented students from Houston, Zayden Longoria and Alexia Orta, are gearing up for a remarkable performance at the upcoming Mariachi Festival 2025, following their triumphs at the National Youth Vocalist Competition. The event took place in May, where Zayden, aged 17 and representing the Houston Independent School District (HISD), secured first place in the high school category, while Alexia, only 12 years old and from Klein Independent School District (Klein ISD), won in the middle school category.
On Tuesday morning, Zayden, along with his father and brother, performed live on KHOU 11 with reporter Jacob Rascon, showcasing their musical talents. Zayden, who has been playing mariachi music since he was just six years old, is proud to be a fourth-generation mariachi musician. His father, Jose Longoria, who directs the Mariachi Studies program at the University of Houston, expressed pride in continuing the family tradition, stating, “We’re continuing the tradition, and it’s so lovely to see this.” Zayden’s younger brother joined them on trumpet, adding to the family performance.
Zayden is a student at the Sam Houston Math, Science and Technology Center, where he has garnered attention for his musical abilities. His school’s mariachi band gained viral fame after an impromptu performance of “El Son de la Negra” at a Whataburger in Refugio, Texas, following a competition. The video of the performance has attracted over two million views, bringing newfound recognition to the mariachi program at their school.
The recent success has led to increased interest in mariachi music among students, with Zayden noting that more classmates are now attentive to the performances. Their director even made an appearance on the Kelly Clarkson Show, further promoting the mariachi culture in their community.
The Mariachi Festival 2025 is scheduled to take place from August 22 to 24, 2025, at the Houston Wortham Theater. For more details regarding the festival, interested attendees can visit mariachifestival.com.
This upcoming event represents not only a celebration of mariachi music but also a testament to the dedication and talent of young musicians like Zayden and Alexia, who are helping to keep this vibrant cultural tradition alive.
