Today we’d like to introduce you to Cindy Shea. Them and their team share their story with us below:
With a career spanning 23 years, the critically acclaimed all-female Mariachi Divas de Cindy Shea specializes in providing professional mariachi music for live concerts, commercials, television, and film recordings. A two-time GRAMMY Award winner with eight GRAMMY nominations and three Latin GRAMMY nominations, the ensemble continues to expand the scope of mariachi music, delighting audiences from around the world. Founded in 1999 by musical director and trumpet player Cindy Shea, Mariachi Divas is celebrated for its innovative and eclectic array of music ranging from mariachi classics to jazz and pop. Mariachi Divas is known for its sophisticated, smooth, and refined, elegant musical style. Since 2003, Mariachi Divas has been the official all-female mariachi of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, performing year-round at Disneyland, Disney California Adventure, and Downtown Disney in Anaheim, California. The group is also the official mariachi for Disney Pixar’s Coco-inspired show at Plaza de La Familia/Día de Los Muertos celebration at Disney California Adventure. Mariachi Divas is often sought after to appear in various television, film, and music video projects.
They have performed, recorded, and collaborated with artists such as Alejandro Fernández, “Agridulce” on the album Rompiendo Fronteras (2017), Ozomatli, single “Volver, Volver” (2017), Natalia Jiménez of La 5ª Estación 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). With an established recording track record, their discography includes eighteen professional full-length album releases co-produced by Cindy Shea through East Side Records.
Now I would like to introduce myself. My name is Cindy Shea and I am the founder and trumpet player of Mariachi Divas. My life recently took a turn and I almost lost my life. I would like to share my story with you all. I recently turned 48 years old and just suffered a Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Stroke on September 12, 2022. You are probably wondering what that is because I also had no idea. Basically I had a brain hemorrhage (bleeding outside my brain). I had just finished performing and soon after I got a headache worse than any I had ever experienced in life. I knew right away this had to be something bad when my left ear felt like I was in an airplane with the pressure I felt. I had a plugged left ear and kept saying I was going deaf on the left side. I had someone drive me directly to ER and on the way, I felt I was losing my life. The pain was worse than anything I have ever felt. Upon arrival, it think I waited about 30 minutes before I got inside and instantly to a Catscan. I found out I had a “bleeding brain” and they rushed me to the ICU where I had an MRI and angiogram among other procedures. The neurologists said they would have to keep me in the hospital for 14 to 17 days in the ICU and were SHOCKED I had no disabilities other than a terrible headache which I STILL have today. After recovering quickly I ended up getting moved out of the ICU floor on about day 6 to a different floor and stayed another 4 days where I was doing much better. They released me early because on my second MRI and Catscan they could no longer find the bleed and felt I was healing on my own which was truly a miracle.
I came home and had to change my lifestyle completely. I needed to actually sleep and rest which I had not done in years and also take better care of my health. A professional trumpet player now scared to death to blow a trumpet. Doctors could not tell me that it’s safe to play or not to play because they simply did not know. So life is a risk, but I am ok with all of that knowing I get to live my second chapter of life and make better choices for myself along the way. I’m most grateful I get to continue to be a mom to my two boys. You simply don’t realize how precious life is until it’s almost taken from you. Little by little I am playing trumpet again, but I feel I will never play with the strength I did before the stroke due to fear of this happening again.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
I wish I could say it’s been a smooth road these last 23 years, but it wouldn’t be an honest answer. The beginning years I spent trying to prove to everyone I deserved to be a mariachi musician. I felt many doors closed on me not only because I was a woman but because I was a gringa and not Mexicana. Another difficult part that made this road hard for me was that I play a trumpet. (as I was always told it was a boy or man’s instrument) as THEY told me growing up. When I added new different and original arrangements along with original compositions it also was not celebrated by all. I realized pretty fast that in this industry it was difficult to go “out of the box”. The more originality I brought to the Divas the more negative comments I would have from other mariachi musicians. I remember in 2009 after winning my first Grammy other mariachis questioned the win simply to say we didn’t earn it. No matter what though, I always stayed strong and committed to my music. Rather than putting others down or giving up, I focused my energy into the Divas and stayed positive. I continued my journey forward no matter what obstacles tried to stop me and soon the respect women in mariachi deserved would be celebrated. Today it’s not as difficult as it was two decades ago for women in mariachi. I am so happy women are finally making their marks in the history of mariachi music and being recognized for it.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
When I first picked up a trumpet at age eight, I was questioned as to why I wasn’t more interested in a “girl instrument” such as the flute or clarinet. Turning that negativity into motivation, I was determined to become one of the best trumpet players in the world as a little girl. That became my motto in life. If anyone said I couldn’t do something, I would not only do it as best I could, I would never give up and would encourage others to join me.
My determination paved the road to allow me to be at the top of my craft. As a two-time Grammy winner Mariachi Divas de Cindy Shea, a 30-plus member, all-female mariachi formed 23 years ago was born. To date, the Mariachi Divas have recorded 18 albums and have gotten 11 nominations across the American and Latin Grammys. My group performs across the country and internationally, including at the Disneyland Resort, a gig we have maintained for more about 20 years.
As a trumpet player, I specialize in anything challenging. I musically am most proud of my two Grammy Wins, but on a personal note, I am most proud of being a hardworking single mom to my two sons and showing them that anything is possible with determination.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
If anyone out there dreams of being a mariachi musician please do get in touch with me. There is room for anyone and everyone. Mariachi music is loved by the entire world and I love to expand our Divas team to others who dream as I do. If anyone who performs different genres of music would like to work on any future projects together I love to fuse different styles and create new sounds always. Let’s do it. I simply love to collaborate with others. Feel free to get in touch with me via email [email protected] or text 818-554-5080. https://
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mariachidivas.com
- Instagram: mariachidivas
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mariachidivas
- Twitter: @mariachidivas
- Youtube: mariachidivas
