We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Cindy Shea . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Cindy below.
Hi Cindy , thanks for joining us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.
As a musician, I am influenced by various genres and styles from around the world. At a young age, I studied classical and jazz trumpet. I had the opportunity to study with Arturo Sandoval in Florida and fell in love with Latin music. As a non-Latina, my career has primarily been based on musical styles outside of my culture. I always strive to be as respectful as possible while still expanding boundaries and expressing my creativity. Founding Mariachi Divas in 1999 and recording 19 albums has been a worthwhile challenge. Mariachi Divas has won two Grammy awards and earned eight Grammy nominations and three Latin Grammy nominations. If you have the vision and the drive, the risks are worth it.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I am a multi-Grammy award-winning musician who composes, arranges, produces, engineers, and blessed to be labeled by others as a pioneer in my industry, I am the founder of the celebrated two-time Grammy Award-winning Mariachi Divas, an all-female ensemble. As a trumpeter, early in my career, while studying music education at California State University, Fullerton – I was recruited by Latin Jazz icon Arturo Sandoval. He offered me a full ride scholarship to study jazz performance at Florida International University as his student. While studying in Miami, Florida, I became immersed in the local music scene centered on Salsa music and Latin jazz. Through this experience, I gained a deep appreciation and love for Latino culture and music. Upon returning to Los Angeles, noted Salsa recording artist Yari More invited me to perform with his band as I had done in the past. From there, I would eventually have the opportunity to frequently accompany the legendary “Queen of Salsa,” Celia Cruz.
By 1999, I was invited to join an all-female, LA-based mariachi, Mariachi Alondras, for that year’s Mariachi USA concert. I instantly fell in love with mariachi music and, within that same year, decided to form my own group, Mariachi Divas. With Italian and Irish heritage, it is not uncommon for audience members to wonder how I became involved in mariachi music. Understanding that music has no boundaries and is not limited to age, race, or gender, my multicultural mariachi, comprising female musicians of diverse backgrounds, is unique. A year after founding Mariachi Divas, I was invited to join Joan Sebastian’s touring group that performed palenques and jaripeos throughout the United States and Mexico. Joan Sebastian, known as “El Rey Del Jaripeo” (The King of the Rodeo), exposed me to a wide range of regional Mexican music. With over thirty years as a professional musician, I have worked with a wide variety of artists, including The Disney Family Singalong: Volume II aired (May 10, 2020) on Disney+. Coco’s “Remember Me” performed by Christina Aguilera, Miguel, and Mariachi Divas, Alejandro Fernández, “Agridulce” on album Rompiendo Fronteras (2017), Ozomatli, single “Volver, Volver” (2017), Natalia Jiménez of La 5ª Estación (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_5%C2%AA_Estaci%C3%B3n) and Sergio Vallín of Maná, single “Esa Soy Yo” (2009) to name a few. Additionally, Mariachi Divas has appeared in two music videos with major recording artists: OhNo’s “Suavemente” (2019) and U2’s “Song for Someone” (2016). Mariachi Divas has also accompanied some of the biggest Latin stars of Mexico and the United States that includes: Adrian Allende (Mexican Dynasties Bravo TV Show), Big and Rich Cowboy Troy, Banda Adictiva, Beatriz Adriana, Pepe Aguilar, Graciela Beltrán y Jimena, Paquita la del Barrio, Aida Cuevas, Celia Cruz, Shaila Dúrcal, Alejandro Fernández, Vicente Fernández Jr., Lupita Infante, Angel Lopez (Son by Four), Israel “Cachao” Lopez, Luis Miguel, Emilio Navaira, Ozomatli, Ezequiel Peña, Guadalupe Pineda, Yolanda del Río, Jenni Rivera, Chiquis, Alejandro Fernández Jr, Alejandro Sanz, Angela Aguilar, Joan Sebastian, and Marco Antonio Solis.
With an established recording track record, our discography includes nineteen professional full-length album releases through Shea Records and East Side Records. My discography for Mariachi Divas is the following: (2023) Puro 80’s Ama Tu Vida, (2022) La Hora Feliz, (2021) Cantemos a Manzanero, (2020) Esta Distancia, (2019) 20 Aniversario – GRAMMY Nominated 2020, (2018) Divas Cantan Al Príncipe, (2017) Recordando a Juan Gabriel, (2016) Tributo a Joan Sebastián y Rigoberto Alfaro – GRAMMY Nominated 2017, (2015) La Cima Del Cielo, (2014) 15 Aniversario – GRAMMY and Latin GRAMMY Nominated 2015, (2013) A Mi Manera – GRAMMY Winner 2014, (2012) Oye – GRAMMY and Latin GRAMMY Nominated 2013, (2011) Órale – GRAMMY Nominated 2012, (2010) Viva La Diva; (2009) 10 Aniversario – GRAMMY Nominated 2010, (2008) Canciones de Amor – GRAMMY Award Winner 2009, (2005) My Grown
Up Christmas List, (2005) Así Somos, (2005) Dulce Daño.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
On September 12, 2022, I suffered a stroke. The type of stroke is a subarachnoid hemorrhage. This health crisis made me evaluate my life and my priorities. I realized I was running myself to hard without enough rest and not taking care of myself. I had to rethink my quality of life. So many people depend on me, and I need to be healthy to care for my family and the musicians who work with me. In my businesses, I now promote health and well-being. It is important for everyone in the entertainment industry to focus on taking care of themselves and to know there is no race or finish line. We need to enjoy our lives and need to manage our family and work lives to have a better balance and better life quality.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
I have expanded my musicianship and band leader skills to learn everything I can about the music business and entertainment industry. . Building my own recording studio has allowed me to have full creative control over my albums. I wear many hats in the business, and I am the CEO of my company; I am a musician, composer, arranger, producer, and entrepreneur. With the success of Mariachi Divas, I also founded and created two other mariachi groups, Mariachi Angelitas and Mariachi Espectacular. Branching out into other businesses in my company also includes my own music publishing company, Shea Luna Music Publishing. Having total control over every aspect of my business has helped me be successful, and this entrepreneurial spirit helped me survive during the Covid pandemic. The resilience of having multiple facets of my business has been a key to being successful and a leader in what I do, but also building leaders within the musicians I call my family. 
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.mariachidivas.com
- Instagram: Mariachidivas
- Facebook: Mariachi Divas De Cindy Shea
- Twitter: @MariachiDivas
- Youtube: @TheMariachidivas
- Yelp: Mariachi Divas
Image Credits
Julie Salas Rodriguez