We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Giana Mijares. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Giana below.
Giana, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Parents play a huge role in our development as youngsters and sometimes that impact follows us into adulthood and into our lives and careers. Looking back, what’s something you think you parents did right?
One thing my parents did right was by pushing me to my fullest potential and even now, being in school and gaining an education in music they push to my very last limit. I started at the age of four and have been doing so ever since. Since the age of four, I have sung a plethora of Mariachi music (regional Mexican music), and that of course comes with its challenges in itself. My mom would push me to speak Spanish around the house 24/7 so that I am able to speak and pronounce things correctly when singing. My dad would have this small baby blue CD player and radio that he would make me practice with in our kitchen and would make me sing and dance and interpret the songs as if I were performing them live on stage. These are only the few of MANY things my parents did right with me. I would not have the discipline to rehearse on my own or the way that I do now, if it weren’t for those moments that my parents pushed on to me so hard.
Giana, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I am a bilingual Mexican-American singer who has performed for the DFW area and more. I am born and raised in Houston, Texas and have sung Mariachi music since I can remember including performing with groups that are in the Houston area. I am known for turning pop songs into mariachi renditions and they seem to be a hit, I would like to think. Of course, I sing traditional mariachi music, but from time to time, upon request, you can catch me singing with a live band, singing anywhere from Tejano music to Chaka Khan.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
My parents, especially my mom, has always been my best promoter. Always signing me up for music festivals such as San Antonio Fiesta season, giving back to my community by doing church events and fundraisers and so much more. I believe my reputation as not only a mariachi singer, but as someone who continues to uphold this tradition of Mariachi music at my age (22) and representing my people has a lot to do with it. Not a lot of people my age can say they have been doing this consecutively and with passion. My reputation also has to do with wanting to give back. I don’t do this for the money, I do this for my people, for the city I grew up in, I do this for myself.
What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?
Simple networking has been my best source for clientele. Social media has also played a big role in finding new clients. However, I believe that simply putting yourself out there as mentioned before, my mom would sign me up for all sorts of events. Festivals, fundraisers and even recording small singing clips of me singing at family events. Now, with the power that social media has today, you are able to reach people outside of the state if you push enough to be recognized enough.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @gianamijares.music
- Facebook: Giana Mijares
Image Credits
Photographer: Daniel Instagram: @1qban Website: 1qban.art/