About

Mariachi Quetzal was formed in the summer of 2008 in Denton, Texas. The original 10 members met while performing in college and other professional mariachis. The ensemble is composed of accomplished vocalists and instrumentalists from various backgrounds, all of whom are students or alumni of the University of North Texas(UNT) College Of Music. Not only has Mariachi Quetzal performed in their native Dallas-Fort Worth area, but they have also played in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas and New York City. Mariachi Quetzal performs annually at the Texas State Fair and has collaborated with Bubba Hernandez and the Grammy Award-winning band Brave Combo. Quetzal is committed to mentoring young mariachi musicians; group members have served as clinicians to many public school mariachi programs in North Texas and also teach at UNT's annual summer mariachi camp. Mariachi Quetzal strives to bring new life and interest to the rich tradition that is mariachi music.

Bios

Miguel Cantu

Miguel Cantu IV is originally from Edinburg, TX. Although he plays violin in Mariachi Quetzal, he has formally studied viola at Michigan State University, University of Texas-Pan American in Edinburg, TX as well as the University of North Texas with Susan Dubois. He's lived in Denton for 4 years and currently works as a private lessons instructor in Lewisville ISD and McKinney ISD. Miguel was a member of UNT's Mariachi Aguilas, Mariachi Inolvidable from Denton, TX and also with Mariachi Los Gavilanes from Dallas but now commits himself to Mariachi Quetzal and his studio.
Bethany Hardwick

Bethany Hardwick is a San Antonio native who attended high school at Churchill. A versatile violinist, she has performed with the Youth Orchestra of San Antonio, studied under Dawn Fairchild, and fiddle under Bryan Duckworth, and played in numerous country and jam bands across Texas, including memorable performances in San Antonio, Austin and Dallas-Fort Worth. She also has experience playing for weddings and church services, and gives private violin lessons. She is currently pursuing a degree in Music Education at UNT where she is studying with Philip Lewis.
Travis Hernandez

Travis Daniel Hernandez is a native of Corpus Christi, TX. He graduated from W.B. Ray High School in the Fall of 2007. Throughout high school, Travis performed with Mariachi Los Viajeros, Mariachi Classico de Corpus Christi, and Mariachi Bandolero. Other engagements include the Coastal Bend Youth Symphony Orchestra, Del Mar College Chamber Orchestra, and Kingsville Symphony Orchestra. While in Corpus Christi, he studied violin with Achille Di'Russo and Todd Ehle. Currently, Travis studies violin with Dr. Igor Borodin at the University of North Texas, where he is pursuing a degree in Music Education.
James Kerr

James Kerr was born in Baytown, TX and grew up in Fort Worth. He started trumpet in 6th grade. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in music from the Univerisity of North Texas. He has formally studied genres including classical, jazz, latin jazz and mariachi. James currently teaches private lessons in Keller ISD.
Sarah Knuth

Sarah Knuth hails from Anamosa, a small town in eastern Iowa. Sarah earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish and music at Luther College and recently graduated with a Master of Music degree in classical voice performance at the University of North Texas. A classically trained singer and violinist, she has performed with professional orchestras, choirs and opera companies throughout the Midwest and Texas. Sarah plays violin in the group.
Nelson Mendoza

Nelson Mendoza is originally from Brownsville, TX. and a graduate of J.Pace High School. He's been playing trumpet for close to 10 years and last summer had the opportunity to tour the country with the six-time Drum Corps International world champions Santa Clara Vanguard Drum & Bugle Corps from Santa Clara, CA. Mariachi Quetzal's newest member has been performing with the group since March 2009. Currently Nelson attends the University of North Texas where he is pursuing a degree in Music Education and is a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity.
Jason Molina

Jason Molina is a native of Arlington, TX. He began his formal education at the University of North Texas where he majors in Music Education and is a student in the trombone studio. UNT is where he began his career in mariachi music first joining Mariachi Aguilas and then other professional groups. He loves being able to play this amazing music with his great friends and is thankful that he has been given the opportunity to be a part of Mariachi Quetzal. His versatility allows him to play vihuela, guitar and guitarron. He is also currently studying harp with Dr. Jenifer Haefner.
Eric Pauda

Eric Pauda was born in Amarillo and eventually found his way to Arlington where he is a graduate of Sam Houston High School 2006. Trained in the ways of rock, he developed a taste for classical guitar at the University of North Texas. This is where he met the awesome dudes in Mariachi Quetzal with whom he currently jams with.
Emily Pivoda

Emily Pivoda was born and raised in Uvalde, Tx. She first started playing trumpet in mariachi at the age of 14 in Mariachi Tradicion Mexicana de Uvalde High School under Jorge Vargas. She later learned guitarron at 15. She is currently a senior music education major with a spanish minor at the University of North Texas. She has played with Mariachi Aguilas de UNT, Mariachi Inolvidable, and is currently the guitarron player for Mariachi Quetzal.
Alexia Quintero

Alexia Quintero has been surrounded by mariachi music all her life. She started singing at a very young age, and at the age of 4, had the opportunity to sing with Campanas de America from San Antonio, TX. She is currently 20 years old and has played in various groups such as her high school group Mariachi Galas de Oro from J.B. Alexander High School and Mariachi Los Arrieros out of Laredo, TX. Alexia is a music education major with a concentration in oboe at the University of North Texas and is in her second year where she studies with Dr. Charles Veazey.
Kristi Tollefson

Kristi Tollefson is originally from Fargo, ND. She has a Bachelor of Music degree from Concordia College, Moorhead, MN and a Masters of Music Education degree from the University of North Texas, Denton. She taught orchestra in McAllen, TX for 9 years before moving to North Texas. Currently she teaches three orchestras and a music theory class at Paschal High School in Fort Worth. She recently started an after school mariachi at Paschal High School.