We are thrilled to shine a spotlight on Romina Huerta, CCC-SLP, a talented professional who seamlessly blends the world of music with the art of speech-language pathology. Recently nominated for a 2025 Latin Grammy as a member of Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles, Romina is not only an accomplished mariachi musician but also a compassionate and skilled speech language pathologist at Pacific Neuroscience Institute (PNI). In this interview, Romina shares insights from her dual career, her journey as a musician, and her commitment to vocal health—helping both musicians and non-musicians maintain their voices.
A Musical Journey: From Childhood to Mariachi Reyna
For Romina, music was a constant presence growing up. Raised in a Mexican immigrant household, she was exposed to mariachi and Latin music from an early age.
“I loved music from a young age because my parents were always playing music at home,” Romina shares. “My parents are Mexican immigrants, so I grew up listening to mariachi and Latin music.”
Her love for music deepened as she learned to play the violin and sing in school programs. As a teenager, she joined the prestigious Mariachi Master Apprentice Program (MMAP) in San Fernando, a program funded by the National Endowment for the Arts. There, she had the chance to learn from some of the best in the mariachi world.
Later, while pursuing a degree in music performance at Loyola Marymount University (LMU), Romina honed her skills as both a violinist and vocalist, and worked professionally as a mariachi musician for several years. In 2017, her dream came true when she joined Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles, the first all-female mariachi group in the United States.
“Being part of Mariachi Reyna has been one of the best chapters of my musical career. It’s such a powerful and inspiring experience to represent women in a traditionally male-dominated genre,” she says.
2025 Latin Grammy Nomination: A Dream Come True
One of the proudest moments of Romina’s career came recently when Mariachi Reyna received a 2025 Latin Grammy nomination for their album Alma de Reyna, which celebrates the group’s 30th anniversary.
“It felt amazing! We work really hard as a group to maintain high standards of musicianship,” she says. “This recognition means so much to us, and especially to represent women in mariachi and regional Mexican music.”
For Romina and her bandmates, the nomination is more than just an accolade—it’s a chance to elevate and promote mariachi music for future generations.
A Voice for Music and Therapy 
In addition to her musical accomplishments, Romina is also a dedicated speech-language pathologist. She combines her deep understanding of vocal health with her experience as a professional singer to help patients who rely on their voices for work, including other singers and performers.
“Learning about voice and vocal health from a medical perspective has helped me become more mindful of how I use my voice,” she says. “It’s helped me be a better singer and also a better therapist.”
Her patients, particularly those who are professional voice users, appreciate her hands-on experience. Romina shares how she often applies lessons from her own singing career to her therapy sessions. “I’m constantly trying new techniques and exercises to see how effective they are, which gives me new insight I can pass on to my patients,” she says.
Supporting Professional Voice Users
At PNI, Romina works with professional voice users—singers, actors, and others whose careers depend on their vocal health. Her experience as a professional musician gives her a unique perspective on the challenges these individuals face.
“My experience plays a huge role in how I approach voice therapy,” Romina says. “I can provide realistic expectations for my singer patients because I know firsthand how demanding a career in music can be. Many of them have told me they feel understood in our sessions.”
As for common misconceptions, she emphasizes the importance of avoiding throat clearing and excessive coughing, which can be harmful to vocal health.
Maintaining Vocal Health: A Lifelong Practice
For anyone who uses their voice professionally, Romina offers essential advice: treat your voice like an athlete treats their body. Regular vocal training, proper rest, hydration, and paying attention to signs of fatigue are all crucial for maintaining vocal health.
“Just like an athlete knows when something’s off with their body, singers need to pay attention to their voices when they’re overused or fatigued,” she says.
Finding Balance Between Two Passions
Balancing a busy performance schedule with her work as a speech-language pathologist is no small feat, but Romina manages to navigate both careers thanks to the incredible support from her colleagues at PNI and her family.
“It’s definitely challenging at times, but with the support of my team and my family, I’m able to continue my work as a therapist while also performing with Mariachi Reyna,” she explains.
Her commitment to both professions comes from a place of passion and a desire to help others. “Working as a voice therapist has been an incredible way to combine my love for science and music,” she says. “It’s rewarding to share these passions with others and help them improve their lives.”
A Career that Bridges Music and Medicine
Romina’s unique path serves as a testament to the power of combining art and science. Through her work as a professional musician and speech-language pathologist, she is not only preserving the rich tradition of mariachi music but also empowering others to care for their voices, whether on stage or in daily life. Her story is a beautiful example of how two seemingly different worlds—music and therapy—can intersect to create something extraordinary.
