RCA HOME Page         Marisa Cortez is Destined to Become a Star

By Roberto Álvarez

Marisa Cortez might only be ten, but she already possesses a voice that rivals any of today’s Latina vocalists.

In other words, once anyone hears her voice, they will realize this little girl will one day join the ranks of Selena, Gloria Estefan and Rocío Dúrcal. That’s how good she is.

Last month, her grandmother, Margie Huerta, and parents released "La Tejanita: Ella Tiene La Voz, Los Movimientos y La Mirada," a six-song promotional compact disc.

The CD contains Selena’s "No Debes Jugar," "Como La Flor," "Si Una Vez" and "Bidi Bidi Bom Bom" plus Elida Reyna’s "Duele" and "Golpe Traidor."

"Honestly, the sole purpose for this Jorge Alejandro produced demo CD is just to get her the opportunity to perform," Huerta said. "This is what we give club promoters, festival and event coordinators; and families that are planning a birthday party or quinceñeria."

One cannot help but be impressed with Cortez’s fine-tuned voice and most important, the fact that she sings with much feeling and deep emotions. This writer’s only critic is that it sounds very awkward and out-of-place for a ten-year-old to interpret tunes about leaving a man who has betrayed her and about forgetting him by drowning her sorrows with tequila, ouch.

"The only reason she did so is because that’s the only two Elida songs that we could find a musical background for and there’s very few Spanish-language karaoke CDs," explained Huerta.

"But at functions, she sings The Chiffon’s ‘One Fine Day,’ Nancy Sinatra’s ‘These Boots Were Made for Walking," some Taylor Swift, some Miley Cyrus songs and a variety of other tunes."

"And I actually just turned eleven on September 2," the young songbird added.

According to Huerta, Cortez was six when the family noticed she loved to dance, make up songs and sing her compositions at birthday parties.

"And all this started after I saw ‘Selena, the Movie’ and music videos of Selena. I loved the way she dressed, danced and sang. So you could say she was my inspiration. Once my family noticed my interest in singing, my grandmother bought me costumes and my parents (Gilbert and Patricia), a karaoke machine, mikes and batteries," Cortez recalled.

Two years later, she won the District 6 and the Mayor’s Choice "Our Part of Town" talent competitions netting her a cool $1,000 a mere six months after making her singing debut at St. Rosa of Lima Catholic Parish.

Noting how serious she was, Patrick and Margie Huerta footed the bill for voice lessons from Sonya Yamin, Alisa Claridy, Alexis Anthony, Dr. Rachael Yvonne Cruz and most recently Jack Hernández. A fixture at market square events, it would save space to state that Cortez has performed at virtually every Alamo City venue, plus churches, events and festivals as far as Waco and Fort Worth.

Cortez’s talent has also generated press in newspapers, magazines and other publications all over Texas. Furthermore, she has the distinction of being featured on "El Gordo y La Flaca" and sharing the stage with who’s who in Tejano music.

As for the future, besides going to college, the Virginia A. Myers Elementary School student says she hopes to gain admission to the dance, drama and music programs at Julliard in New York.

For more information, go to http://marisacortez.webs.com. For bookings, contact Huerta at (210) 274-6774 or e-mail her at margiehuerta124@yahoo.com.