Gemanereida Barragán Cruz is a prominent vocalist, mezzo-soprano, and musician who is a proud Mexican-American from Portland, Oregon. She is widely recognized in the Pacific Northwest for her deep connection to her cultural roots and her musical versatility, especially within the genres of mariachi and opera.

A first-generation student, Gema is studying music education at Portland State University, and her journey has been shaped by both passion and perseverance. She has earned recognition at the 2024 Oregon State Individual Competition, taking first place in the Alto category and serving as a finalist in the Mariachi Extravaganza Vocal Competition. She recently took part in the world’s first mariachi opera (Cruzar La Cara De La Luna), presented by Opera In The Park Portland, where she landed a leading role. For her, music goes far beyond awards—it’s about connecting with her community. Through each song, she honors her cultural roots, shares stories that touch hearts, and hopes to continue inspiring future generations to understand the importance of music and tradition.

Set list:
Besame Mucho—Consuelo Velázquez

About the song:
“Bésame mucho” is one of the most popular songs in the Latin American repertoire. It was composed by the Mexican singer Consuelo Velázquez in 1932, when she was just 16 years old. It quickly became one of the most covered songs in the world and was named the song of the 20th century. From a musical standpoint, the song appears to have been inspired by an aria from Enrique Granados’s *Goyescas* suite, known as “La maja y el ruiseñor.”