The University of St. Thomas senior vocal performance major is trained to sing arias, but she is vying for the chance to hit the high note in the Star Spangled Banner Sunday, Jan. 3 at the Houston Texans game in Reliant Arena. But Jimenez needs your vote.

After submitting an audition video, Jimenez was selected as a top 10 finalist to perform the National Anthem from a pool of 83 contestants. Jimenez and other top 10 finalists “call back” auditions were taped and will be posted on the Houston Texans National Anthem Contest Web site for fans to vote for their favorite National Anthem singer until Tuesday, Dec. 22. Fan votes count for one-third of the score, while judging comprises the remaining two-thirds. Jimenez is contestant No. 6.

Jimenez has previously performed the National Anthem at Robert E. Lee High School and Houston Community College commencement ceremonies.
“I have sung in front of large crowds before, but nothing of this magnitude,” Jimenez said. “Reliant Arena seats up to 71,000 people, and that’s not even counting the people who could be watching on television.”

The Colombian-born lyric soprano discovered her passion for music as a child when her father, a musician and choir director, took her to see her first opera. Her family moved to the United States in 1995 when Jimenez was a teenager.

At UST, she studies voice under Dr. Brady Knapp, assistant professor of music. Knapp helped Jimenez create the Texans audition tape.

“Dr. Knapp has really helped me focus on my goals of growing as an opera singer, and preparing for graduate school,” Jimenez said. “Dr. Tom Crow, Music Program chair, is incredibly supportive of each and every student.”