mariachi divas

Biography

Mariachi Divas de Cindy Shea is an all-female mariachi ensemble founded in 1999 by trumpet player and musical director Cindy Shea in Southern California.[2][3][4][5] Born and raised in Los Angeles, Shea grew up surrounded by mariachi sounds before formally embracing the genre and envisioning a professional, women-led ensemble in what had long been a male-dominated field.[1][7] Under her leadership, Mariachi Divas quickly emerged on the regional circuit for their virtuosic playing, polished stagecraft, and fresh approach to traditional repertoire, soon becoming a staple at festivals, cultural celebrations, and media appearances across California and beyond.[1][2]

Over the next two decades, the group developed a distinctive musical identity that fuses traditional mariachi and ranchera with elements of jazz and pop, often featuring sophisticated arrangements and elegant, smooth vocal harmonies.[1][2][3][5] Their discography has grown to around twenty full-length albums produced or co-produced by Shea, released primarily through East Side Records, showcasing both classic songs and original compositions.[2][3][5] A significant turning point came in 2003, when Mariachi Divas became the official all-female mariachi of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, performing year-round at Disneyland, Disney California Adventure, and Downtown Disney in Anaheim, and later serving as the official mariachi ensemble for Disney–Pixar’s Coco-inspired Plaza de la Familia / Día de los Muertos celebrations.[2] Their profile grew further through work in film, television, commercials, and live-to-film events, including Coco: A Live-to-Film Concert Experience at the Hollywood Bowl.[5]

Mariachi Divas’ impact is underscored by multiple major industry honors: they are two-time GRAMMY Award winners with at least eight GRAMMY nominations and three Latin GRAMMY nominations, making them one of the most decorated mariachi ensembles of their generation.[1][2][3][5] Their original song “Así es una mujer” earned both a Global Music Award and a Hollywood Music in Media Award in the Latin (Traditional) category, further cementing their artistic stature.[5] Beyond accolades, their legacy lies in their role as a pioneering, visible platform for women in mariachi, bringing together musicians from diverse cultural backgrounds and expanding audience expectations of what a mariachi group can sound and look like.[1][2] By combining respect for tradition with stylistic experimentation and high production values, Mariachi Divas has helped redefine modern mariachi while inspiring a new wave of female and mixed-gender ensembles throughout the United States and abroad.[1][3][7]

Fun Facts

• Mariachi Divas became the official all-female mariachi of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts in 2003 and have performed continuously at Disneyland Resort locations ever since.[2]
• The group is one of the most decorated mariachi ensembles in GRAMMY history, with two GRAMMY wins, at least eight GRAMMY nominations, and three Latin GRAMMY nominations to their name.[1][2][3][5]
• Their original song “Así es una mujer” not only became a signature anthem celebrating women but also won both a Global Music Award and a Hollywood Music in Media Award in the Latin (Traditional) category.[5]
• Founder Cindy Shea intentionally assembled Mariachi Divas as a multicultural, all-women ensemble, bringing together musicians from many different backgrounds to challenge gender norms in mariachi while still honoring its deep Mexican roots.[1]

Members

• Rebecca Schlappich

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Traditional mariachi and ranchera artists (collective influence) - Core stylistic foundation; Mariachi Divas’ repertoire and performance practice are rooted in classic mariachi and ranchera traditions that Cindy Shea grew up hearing in Los Angeles and later adopted professionally. (Traditional mariachi classics featured across their albums (e.g., standards regularly included on their East Side Records releases).) [1990s–present (as the group’s ongoing stylistic base)]

Key Collaborators

• Alejandro Fernández - High-profile live and event collaborations; the Divas have performed alongside Fernández, aligning them with one of the leading voices in contemporary ranchera and mariachi-pop. (Shared live performances and festival/television appearances (specific recordings not detailed in available sources).) [2000s–2010s[1]]
• Christina Aguilera - Collaborative performances in televised or special-event contexts, highlighting cross-genre appeal between Latin pop and mariachi. (Live and media performances; no specific track credits cited in available sources.) [2000s–2010s[1]]
• Ozomatli - Stage and event collaborations with the Los Angeles genre-blending band, reinforcing the Divas’ openness to fusion and crossover. (Joint performances at festivals and special events (exact recordings not specified).) [2000s–2010s[1]]
• Natalia Jiménez - Collaborative performances with the Spanish singer known for her work in Latin pop and regional Mexican music. (Shared stages and events; no specific studio releases cited.) [2010s[1]]
• Disney / Walt Disney Parks and Resorts - Long-term institutional collaboration as official all-female mariachi ensemble, performing themed sets and special shows. (Year-round performances at Disneyland, Disney California Adventure, and Downtown Disney; participation in Coco Plaza de la Familia / Día de los Muertos shows and related Disney–Pixar events.) [2003–present[2][5]]
• Disney–Pixar (Coco-related productions) - Featured performers in Coco-branded live events, expanding their reach to global film audiences. (Coco: A Live-to-Film Concert Experience at the Hollywood Bowl; Plaza de la Familia performances tied to Coco.[2][5]) [Late 2010s–present[2][5]]
• New and rotating ensemble members (e.g., Yasmine, Giselle, Andrea, Diana, Azul) - Internal collaboration among multi-instrumentalist vocalists and players within the group, who contribute arrangements, harmonies, and performance identity. (Performances and recordings including “Así es una mujer” and broader album output; specific individual credits vary by release.[1]) [2010s–present[1]]

Artists Influenced

• Emerging all-female and mixed-gender mariachi ensembles in the United States - Mariachi Divas’ visibility as a successful, decorated all-female group in a historically male genre has provided a model and proof of concept for younger bands, particularly in the U.S. Southwest. (Their GRAMMY-winning and -nominated albums, Disney performances, and award-winning song “Así es una mujer” serve as reference points for repertoire and group format.) [2000s–present (inferred from their pioneering status and media coverage emphasizing women’s empowerment in mariachi).[1][2][5][7]]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Bluetooth
2. Bluetooth (25 Aniversario)
3. A Mi Manera (My Way) (A Mi Manera)
4. PALOMA BLANCA
5. Cien Años (Cancíones De Amor)
6. PALOMA BLANCA (CHIQUIS - BEE SIDE)
7. Que Me Vas a Dar Si Vuelvo (A Mi Manera)
8. Amor de los Dos (¡Así Somos!)
9. A Puro Dolor (A Mi Manera)
10. Cumbia Medley: Mariachi Loco / La Pollera Colora / La Bala / No Te Metas Con Mi Cucu / Rosa María / La Cucaracha / Yo No Fui (Dulce Daño)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz