Abby was first introduced to musical performance when her mother encouraged her to join orchestra and learn violin in sixth grade. Abby soon fell in love with the sounds of mariachi music and joined her middle school mariachi band. At a competition during her freshman year of high school, she watched a special performance by Texas State University’s mariachi ensemble which Abby credits with being a key influence on her decision to attend TXST.

“One of the TXST mariachi bands performed at a competition I was at. I remember hearing them play for the first time and I was completely amazed,” she says. 

“At the end of their performance, I just remember telling myself’ ‘I have to go to Texas State and join their mariachi ensembles.’”

Abby is pursuing a degree in social work and plans to also obtain a master’s degree in social work. Her career aspirations are to incorporate mariachi music into therapeutic treatment for individuals with special needs.