A new musical group is making waves in Houston. Las Chabelitas, an all-female mariachi band, performed their debut show at Talento Bilingüe de Houston. This took place on December 14 and marked the formation of one of the few all-female mariachi groups in the area. The ensemble consists of 14 women, ranging in age from 15 to 41. They have entered what is traditionally a male-dominated music genre.
Members of Las Chabelitas were busy preparing for their first performance. They adjusted their hair bows, applied makeup, and put on sparkling jewelry. Their matching grey mariachi suits bore the name “Las Chabelitas” embroidered in burgundy and white. For many, it was more than just a performance. Erin Lara, a 41-year-old violinist and vocalist, said it was their first full concert. She felt it was a bonding experience for the group.
Las Chabelitas played well-known songs like “El Son de La Negra,” “Si Nos Dejan,” and “La Mariquita.” They were joined by some local artists, including singer Vanessa Alonzo and Ballet Folklórico México en Danza. Most of the band members are high school students, but some have moved on to college or have full-time jobs. Jose Longoria, the Director of Mariachi at the University of Houston, brought them together. He is also the leader of the UH Mariachi Pumas.
Longoria expressed that assembling an all-female mariachi group had been a long-standing goal. Finding female musicians who played instruments like the trumpet and guitarrón was challenging. He found these musicians during a summer camp at the university, selecting students who stood out. Longoria invited them to a meeting at the university, where they learned about the new group.
Many members were surprised to discover they were joining an all-female band. Lara, who has 18 years of teaching experience, said the group was a balanced mix of new and veteran mariachi players. Lara works with the Klein Independent School District as a music educator and vocal coach. She has coached several students in mariachi, including five members of Las Chabelitas. This year marked her first experience as a mariachi player and singer with two new projects: Las Chabelitas and Mariachi Voz Juvenil.
The group includes Mia Chavez, a 16-year-old student at the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. She plays the guitarrón, an instrument she picked up in middle school. Chavez was primarily a pianist before trying her hand at the guitarrón. Her efforts paid off, leading to new opportunities.
Chloe McGhee is a 17-year-old violinist for Las Chabelitas and a student at Klein Oak High School. Originally from Georgia, McGhee became interested in mariachi music after moving to Houston. Her family watched from the audience during Las Chabelitas’s debut, where she performed a solo rendition of Ed Sheeran’s “Perfect.” Her brother noted that it was her first public singing performance since the second grade.
The members of Las Chabelitas participated in intense rehearsals leading up to their debut. Longoria views the formation of the group as part of a broader effort to create a supportive environment for female mariachi musicians. He believes the experience of performing in a professional mariachi band can be beneficial, whether members pursue music as a career or a side interest.
