Wendy Meeker - Violin

Wendy Meeker began playing the violin at the age of 12, and shortly thereafter began studying the viola. Growing up in El Paso, Texas and influenced by the Mexican culture, Wendy started performing with an El Paso mariachi band at the age of 14. In addition to performing in the Southwest, the group performed in Washington, D.C., as well as throughout France, and recorded several CDs. At age 17, Wendy won the El Paso Young Artist Competition and performed with the El Paso Symphony Orchestra. After graduating from high school, Wendy began studying music at the University of Texas at Austin. She later transferred to Texas State University and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Performance on Viola in 1999.

Since moving to Austin in 1994, Wendy has performed regularly with local mariachi groups. She has also played with other local bands including Abra Moore, This Side Down and Kitty Gordon, along with various classical ensembles such as the Hyde Park Strings and the Bridges Quartet. She has recorded violin parts for the movie/soundtrack “Once Upon a Time in Mexico” directed by Robert Rodriguez and “The Journeyman”, featuring Willie Nelson, in addition to recording with Robert Earl Keen, Manuel Vargas, and Grupo Fantasma.

Currently, Wendy holds a private violin/viola studio with 50 students in Southwest Austin.

Wendy’s contribution to Mariachi Tamazula is multi-dimensional. Her years of experience adds repertoire to the ensemble and her technical proficiency is unmatched by most violinists.