Mauricio performs on Show 468.

Mauricio García de Jesus (trumpet), 18, is from the small town of San Felipe Otlaltepec, in the state of Puebla in Mexico. He is currently in his final year of high school at the Interlochen Arts Academy in Interlochen, Michigan, under the tutelage of Ken Larson. Coming from a musical family, Mauricio began learning the trumpet at the age of 5. His father and grandfather taught him the fundamental aspects of music, and at the age of 11, he entered the music conservatory in his town. The enthusiasm he had for learning led Mauricio to take his first audition in 2019, to perform in a children’s orchestra as part of “Semilleros Creativos” – an event organized by an institution in Mexico called Sistema Nacional de Fomento Musical. Participating in that event motivated Mauricio to continue his music studies, and in subsequent years, he auditioned and was accepted into the Children’s Symphony Orchestra of Mexico (OSIM), also organized and run by “Fomento Musical”.

In 2020, Mauricio learned about, and had the opportunity to audition for the Interlochen Arts Academy. His acceptance led Mauricio to make the challenging decision to leave his family, community, and his country at the age of 15, to begin his scholastic studies at the Interlochen Arts Academy in the fall of 2021. Through an audition process, he was given the opportunity to tour with the Interlochen Arts Academy Orchestra to New York City in 2023, where he was able to perform side-by-side with members of the New York Philharmonic. Also in 2023, he was selected as a winner of the YoungArts Competition, run by The National Foundation for the Advancement of Artists. This past summer of 2024, Mauricio was a student at the Boston University Tanglewood Institute, performing as a member of the Young Artists Orchestra.

Outside of music, Mauricio is passionate about soccer and enjoys playing with friends when he gets the chance.

Mauricio is a recipient of From the Top’s Tim Banker Talent Development Award which made it possible for him to attend the Boston University Tanglewood Institute over the summer and helped to cover the cost of important consultation lessons in preparation for his college auditions.

He also is a recipient of the Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award. Receiving the Award will allow Mauricio to purchase quality instruments that will support his playing through college and into the professional field.