Welcome to Morelia Music

Hi, Mi name is Morelia, yes, that is my real name, not just a stage name. It is the name of a very beautiful city in Mexico known for the stunning colonial architecture. This is where my mother’s family comes from in the state of Michoacan, Mexico, so she named me after the city.  As you know, some kids are named “Paris, I proudly carry the name “Morelia.”

Here’s a little more about me, so you understand my love and passion for music but also the preparation I have undertaken to pursue a career in what I know and Love since I was a child.

I’m the smallest of four girls raised by a single mother. From a young age I was drawn to music. I admired artists/singers like Hilary Duff and Miley Cyrus for their unique voices. My Mom worked in Spanish radio so I was introduced to various musicians and artists who helped me along the way. 

At the age of 10 years-old I got my first singing coach, Don Chalo Campos (RIP). He was known for coaching big name performers such as “Marisela.” I got to experience recording with Don Chalo,  I recorded my first song titled, “Por lo Joven Que Soy” which he wrote. I also recorded a cover titled “Esperanzas” made famous by Yuri.  It gave me the confidence to enter talent competitions in school and outside of school like, The Voice, America’s got Talent, and others. After Don Chalo I had a series of vocal coaches throughout the years that helped me grow and gain confidence in myself as a performer. 

From age 12 to13 I worked with Thomas Appell who was ex band mates with Tommy Lee.  Coach Appell gave me the foundation to perform on stage.  At age 12 I met musician Jim Thompson. He was one of the first who truly believed in me as a singer outside of my family. He gave me the confidence I needed to form “Morelia and Back n’ time. A band I formed with him and other great musicians.  We played at the San Diego Chicano Festival and other amazing locations in the southern California area. By now I was already a regular performer at The Upland Museum. I’d perform almost every weekend to get the feeling of performing in front of audience.  I did that for the next three years.

At Age 13 I joined a group called Major Minors with my coach, Brittany McMains where we performed solos and as a group at the Riverside Plaza. At 15 I realized that even though I loved performing Oldies, rock, pop etc. that I did not want to leave my Spanish roots behind. With the help of my Mom we sought out Don Heriberto Molina (Principal and original vocalists for El Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan). Don Heriberto taught me how to interpret Mexican music. 

From the age of 12 to 16 I also performed and was coached vocally at the Fender Center for Performing Arts by Christopher Diaz and Billy Purnell. When I was 16 I put together a different band titled “Morelia and the Music Empire,” with this band I recorded my first demo. We performed at places such as Don Chente’s Bar and Grill in Los Angeles and Pepitos in Riverside, CA. 

One thing led to another, and I got to meet Roberto Guadarrama of Los Bukis. I have a lot of respect for him as a musician and for Los Bukis as artists. I was very excited because he showed interest in working with me and us as a band. All was going well, when my musicicans began having internal issues.  This is when I learned the challenges in putting bands together with talented people, with different ideas and personalities. 

When the band couldn’t work out their differences, a very loyal friend and musician, James Speed began to seek out other musicians for the possibility of forming another band.  James Speed played a big role in my journey and I’m very grateful to him.  Band or no band, I continued to perform. I sang with other bands and performed in Las Vegas, Disneyland, and Knott's Berry Farm.  

I presently and for several years now, am being coached by Gloria España and Pedro Gerardo Bader who have given me advanced vocal instruction. 

Speed eventually helped me find a the group of musicians that could play the music I enjoy singing, we formed, “Morelia and the Izbe band. ”  We got to play in places like Mario’s Place in Riverside, Ca.  We were working on a demo when the pandemic shut us down.   During this process, Rafael Guevara passed away, may he Rest In Peace.  He was a grammy award winning sound engineer, musician and composer who was also working on a music production for me.

I’m looking forward to new music, more performances, and a different level of managing my career. I know more than ever that music is not just a hobby for me, it is my life. I’m reviewing material to record. 

Below is a list of my coaches and places I’ve performed: 

Performances 

• Disneyland 
• Knots Berry Farm 
• Riverside Plaza
• Fender 
• Plaza Mexico
• Pepitos
• Romano’s 
• Mario’s Place
• Don Chente 
• Paris Las Vegas 
• Festival of Trees at Riverside Municipal      Auditorium
• San Diego Chicano Festival 
• Cooper Museum in Upland 
• Norco Fair 

Coaches

• Pedro Gerardo Bader
• Thomas Appell
• Chalo Campos 
• Don      Herberto Molina (Pricipal y original vocalists del Mariachi Vargas      deTecalitlan)
• Brittany Paige McMains
• Fender Center for the Performing Arts- 
• Billy Purnell
• Christopher Diaz 
• Christa Stevens