UCI student is member of mariachi group nominated for Grammy Award

Jillian Kardell’s talent for mariachi music has led to many memorable experiences for the 20-year-old UC Irvine student, including weekly performances at Disneyland’s California Adventure. On Feb. 10, she’ll be able to add the 55^th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony to the list. Kardell plans to attend the show with fellow members of Mariachi Divas de Cindy Shea. The all-female ensemble, which she joined in 2011, is nominated for best regional Mexican or Tejano album. Music has been a longtime passion for Kardell, who picked up the violin in third grade and has been playing in mariachi groups since seventh grade. As a student in the Sweetwater Union High School District, she was able to join its renowned Mariachi Chula Vista program. Mariachi Divas de Cindy Shea is a diverse group of musicians representing several nationalities, including Mexican, Cuban, Argentinian, Colombian, Panamanian, Puerto Rican, Swiss, Japanese, Honduran, Peruvian, Tongan and American. Kardell (top row, second from left) is undeclared but plans to major in a science subject and become a teacher.