Award-Winning Photojournalist Mariaelena Villarreal Announces Conjunto Documentary Project

Mariaelena Villarreal (center) with Marianna Larrasquitu and Ashely Almanza (Courtesy photo)

San Antonio, TX – Mariaelena Villarreal, the acclaimed photojournalist for Tejano Nation, has unveiled her latest endeavor, “Conjunto Music in Their Words.” This innovative video project aims to honor the genre’s living Conjunto artists through intimate, one-on-one interviews conducted in their hometowns. Villarreal’s goal is to capture the personal stories and significant contributions of these visionary musicians, preserving their legacies for future generations.

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“I’m excited to be launching ‘Conjunto Music in Their Words,’” Villarreal shared. “Through these interviews, I’ll capture the stories and contributions of these visionary artists, preserving their legacies for future generations. This documentary-style initiative will also yield a stunning Conjunto photobook showcasing my photographs of Conjunto’s vibrant cultural heritage, ensuring a lasting impact on our community.”

Villarreal emphasized the importance of this project, stating, “I hope to leave many music memories with each of these interviews and most of all with the photo book to visually see all of these faces forever in our history. After all, what good are 1000’s of pictures if no one can see them. I will be reaching out to start scheduling interviews and hopefully all of you are willing to share YOUR life in YOUR words with me.”

The first interview in this series will feature Jose Garcia Jr., owner and lead member of Los Garcia Bros. Villarreal chose Garcia for this inaugural interview due to his significant contributions to Conjunto music and the recent release of Los Garcia Brothers’ latest album in September, marking 35 years in their musical journey.

Jose Garcia Jr of Los Garcia Brothers | Photo: Mariaelena Villarreal / Tejano Nation

“In this interview, no question will be off limits; he is completely open to any and all questions,” Villarreal explained. “Through my extensive interactions over the years with him and his wife, I have gained valuable insights that will surprise the Conjunto community. From battling ongoing serious health issues to personal loss, this interview will address common misconceptions and provide answers to lingering questions. We will also explore the history and legacy of Los Garcia Brothers and how Mr. Garcia sustains his momentum amidst a demanding gig schedule. This exclusive interview will feature appearances by Mr. Garcia and his wife, sharing their perspectives in their OWN words. Be sure to follow me to watch this compelling video interview.”

Mariaelena Villarreal, based in San Antonio, recently opened her own photo studio and is highly sought after by musicians and singers to tell their stories through her lens. As the official photographer for Hohner Accordions and a contributor to Tejano Nation since 2019, Villarreal is a passionate advocate for Tejano and Conjunto music and culture.

Stay tuned to Tejano Nation for more updates on “Conjunto Music in Their Words” and other exciting projects from Mariaelena Villarreal. Subscribe to her YouTube channel here.

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