Claudia-Renée Gonzalez

Alteña since: 2013

Instruments: Trumpet, Vocals

Claudia Fact: George Strait poured her a shot of his own tequila at a gig once.

Claudia-Renée Gonzalez was born in Oakland, California, and lived on a military base near Fresno, California, most of her life. She began playing trumpet at the age of 10 in school and at the Kings Cultural Center, where she had been in ballet folklorico for many years. Claudia later worked at the center teaching beginners how to play and read music. Before moving to Texas, she played mariachi professionally with her siblings in California under the guidance of Pamela and Jesus “Chuy” Galicia for Mariachi Las Tequileras and Mariachi Los Reyes. Her family has always played an enormous role as her inspiration and support in pursuing her passion for mariachi music.

At the age of 18, Claudia moved to San Antonio to attend the University of Texas at San Antonio, funded by the university’s mariachi scholarship. Shortly after, she became an official member of Mariachi Las Alteñas and is now going on twelve years with the group as the lead trumpeter. Claudia holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Composition with a Minor in Music Technology and directed the UTSA Mariachi Los Paisanos student organization from 2017 to 2018.

Now, aside from performing with Las Alteñas, Claudia is a business professional for a leading tech company and oversees the different creative avenues of the Las Alteñas brand: managing social media, marketing, editing and directing music videos, providing custom music arrangements, designing the website, all of Las Alteñas merchandise, and more. She also serves as the Director of Media & Public Relations for local non-profit Los Altos Mariachi Arts Council and is the creative director of the Viva Mexico Women’s Festival. In addition, Claudia provides music video services and photography for artists in San Antonio, helping them bring their creative vision to life.

In 2023, Claudia married her partner of 11 years, with whom she shares a passion for music and love for their two old lady dogs. She enjoys gigging on trumpet with various bands in San Antonio and is a member of local Latin band Llamativa, pop cover band Cascara, and all-female cumbia band Sonora Hechicera.