The Mariachi Divas de Cindy Shea is an all-female mariachi band based in Los Angeles, California, founded in 1999 by trumpet player Cindy Shea. Over the course of their career, the group has played for high-profile events such as the inaugurations of Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, and a state luncheon for the President of Mexico. The band has collaborated with artists like Joan Sebastian, Jenni Rivera, and Marco Antonio Solis, and appeared on television shows like Despierta America and Sábado Gigante. Originating in a male-dominated music culture, Cindy Shea overcame many challenges to establish the group. Early in her career, she played trumpet in Mariachi Las Alondras before forming the Mariachi Divas after its dissolution. In 2003, the Mariachi Divas got their big break when they were discovered by Stan Freese, talent booking director for Disney Resorts. This led to their long-standing role as the official mariachi band of Disneyland Resort, performing regularly at Disney California Adventure Park and Downtown Disney’s “Tortilla Joe” restaurant. The Mariachi Divas made history with their album Canciones de Amor (2009), becoming the first all-female mariachi band to be nominated for and win a Grammy Award for Best Regional Mexican Music Album. The group released albums such as 10 Aniversario (2010), Órale (2012), A Mi Manera (2014), which won a Grammy, and 15 Aniversario (2015). They continued to receive recognition, earning seven Grammy and Latin Grammy nominations by 2017. Their 2017 album Tributo a Joan Sebastian y Rigoberto Alfaro and 2020's 20 Aniversario also garnered Grammy nominations.
