Today we’d like to introduce you to Jasmine Lopez.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Jasmine. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I was born into a family of mariachi musicians in Modesto, CA. My dad taught my siblings and I how to play instruments and sing when we were kids. I was learning the violin. Although I wasn’t really interested in playing mariachi music as a kid, I quickly realized that I had a passion for singing. I sang all the time! Even at school during recess, it was probably so annoying! But I just knew that singing was what I wanted to do when I grew up.
My older sister’s taste in music rubbed off on me when I was a little girl. I was heavily influenced by Selena, Mariah Carey, and Destiny’s Child.
When I was 14, I decided to join the family business, which was my dad’s mariachi band. I had very little knowledge on how to play the violin, but I put on a mariachi suit I had made when I was 12 and went to my first gig. I was so terrified but determined to get better at both vocal and violin performance. It took about a year until I actually started enjoying it.
I played in my dad’s band until I graduated high school and moved to Los Angeles for college. Within the first few months of living in LA, I was invited to rehearse with Mariachi Divas. I had no idea how much I was about to grow and develop as an artist!
I was a member of the Divas for over six years. During this time, I traveled all over the country to perform at amazing venues and recorded on five albums, two of which were nominated for Grammy awards. I learned so much about being a performer and entertainer from that band, and I couldn’t wait to take all of that and put it towards a career as a solo artist!
Since then, I have been songwriting and performing at Universal CityWalk. I plan on releasing a smooth pop/r&b style EP before this summer. I still play mariachi music with Mariachi Las Catrinas on the weekends when I’m not doing solo performances. I love mariachi music and it will always be a part of me, however, I’ve been obsessed with pop and r&b my entire life and I feel like that’s the kind of music my voice belongs to.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I faced a lot of challenges at the beginning of my career. I was 18 and had very little experience when I joined a band of super talented musicians and singers, so I naturally felt intimidated. The music was really advanced, and I still hadn’t found my voice. But I practiced really hard for months and I eventually started receiving recognition for my work. The challenges I faced then have definitely helped shape me into the performer I am today.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I am a singer/songwriter. I live for singing. I love creating art and I want to be known for expressing my passion and emotions through English and Spanish songs, whether they’re originals or a covers. I’m proud of what I have accomplished in the little time that I have been a soloist, and I’m excited to see what the future has in store for my music!
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
I have two really fond moments I like to look back on:
1. I had the opportunity to record backup vocals for a song on an Alejando Fernadez album
2. Being a Grammy nominee for an album I sang my heart out on
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: JasmineLopezMusic
Image Credit:
Alfred Spina, Zeff Farias, Stephanie Del Rio
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