Taos got talent

Taos vocalists win several categories at New Mexico Hispano Music Awards

Several Taos countians took home awards from the 31st New Mexico Hispano Music Awards held Jan. 14 at Ohkay Hotel Casino.

Ten-year-old Jasmine Monique Sandoval and her sister, 7-year-old Jaelyn Therese Sandoval of Taos, were recognized for their individual artistry, with Jaelyn Therese winning Children’s Song of the Year for her rendition of “Eres Tu,” which was written in the 1970s by Juan Carlos Calderon and popularized by Mocedades after Spain entered it in the Eurovision Song Contest.

Jasmine Monique Sandoval, who was awarded the Children’s Artist of the Year award last year, won Children’s Artist of the Year again, this time for her performance of “Como la Flor,” one of Selena’s signature songs. The performances in the youth and children’s categories contest were held Dec. 30 at Ohkay Hotel Casino.

Sarai Romero of Taos won Youth Artist of the Year for her performance of “La Reina es el Rey,” while Jerome Grant sang “Cuando Fuimos Nada” to take home Tejano Fusion Song of the Year.

Nathaniel Sandoval and Christina Gonzales, parents of Jasmine Monique and Jaelyn Therese, said the family’s interest in music goes beyond the New Mexico Hispano Music Association competition.

It’s about sustaining New Mexico music traditions, particularly among the youth of Northern New Mexico.

The sisters said they enjoy performing, but also feel driven “to keep traditions alive so it hopefully inspires more youth to keep Northern New Mexico music going.”

The sisters both sing in the choir and play piano at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, and are members of Mariachi Paisanos at Taos International School, where they sing and play violin.

“Nowadays, it’s kinda hard for the youth to keep up speaking Spanish in general, much less performing in Spanish on stage. The traditions of singing, especially in Northern New Mexico, we want to keep that alive in the younger generations. There’s older generations singing, but not so much the younger generations.

“And singing comes naturally to Jasmine and, naturally, her sister wants to sing like her big sister,” Sandoval added. “And it comes naturally to Jaelyn, too.”

A complete rundown of award winners wasn’t available by press time, but the list will be posted at nmhma.org or on the New Mexico Hispano Music Association Facebook page in the near future.

“Many more Taos artists won that night,” Nathaniel Sandoval and Gonzales told the Taos News. “We want to show that Taos still has talent.”