'La Banda' Contestants: Things To Know About 12 Aspiring Singers Before Going On Live Rounds!

Final stage episodes of "La Banda" are here and the show for the search of the ultimate Latino super group is down to twelve talented finalists who are willing to sing their heart out to win a place. Tune in to "La Banda" on Sunday night at 8PM EST/ 7PM CT / 5PM PT and 8PM PT for the next stage in the competition and get to know each of the twelve finalists here:

Jaime Cruz- 14, from Puerto Rico

Jaime loves to dance and sing with passion so that he can disconnect from anything negative. The contestant knows what it means for such a young person to participate and possibly win a place in La Banda, but does so knowing how proud it would make his family.

Johann Vera- 19, Ecuadorian from Miami

Johann, who lives with his parents and little sister, is an actor, singer and dancer who loves hip-hop. He enjoys swimming, playing tennis, and has studied Tae Kwan Do but from him, everything revolves around furthering his artistic career. He records “covers” and posts them on Youtube, and his sister is his biggest fan. He wants to show his parents that he can make it as a professional singer.

Zabdiel de Jesús- 17, from Puerto Rico

Zabdiel’s love of music started at an early age when he learned to play the guitar from his father, a professional guitarist. He later teamed up with his brother, also a guitarist, to play in church where he grew to love Gospel music. His love for dance led him to form a hip-hop and salsa group in middle school, and eventually study ballet at La Escuela de Bellas Artes de Bayamón, where he is currently in his final year.

Christopher Vélez- 19, Ecuadorian from New Jersey

Born in the United States, Christopher returned from Ecuador less than a year ago in hopes of a better future and lives alone in Hightstown, NJ. He works hard shining shoes and saving all the money he can so he can send some to his mother to help her dream of becoming a lawyer come true. His “American Dream” is to be part of La Banda and always wears a gold medallion he received from his grandmother as good luck.

Joshua Greaux- 17, from Puerto Rico

Used to fierce competition as the son of an Olympic athlete, Joshua has run charity marathons and trains daily, but his first love is for music. He plays guitar, write songs, makes music, and has sung in a choir. When he sat down with his father to explain that music, like sports, is a discipline one must dedicate one’s body and soul to, his father gave him his full support. His mother, with whom he lives, also supports his dreams and works two jobs in order to provide Joshua a good education. He prefers ballads and his favorite song is from the group Sin Bandera titled “Ves.”

Joel Pimentel- 16, from Los Angeles

Although he lives with his parents and two brothers, it was his Grandfather Luis who first noticed his musical talent and encouraged him to develop it by teaching Joel to sing. When his Grandfather died last January, Joel sang the song “100 Ovejas” at his funeral in his honor. Joel studies Drama at Hesperia High School in Los Angeles and takes acting very seriously as he feels it helps him better interpret his songs.

Sebastián Rivera- 15, from Puerto Rico

Sebastián lives with his parents and three siblings and is a big fan of the group One Direction. He has grown up and gone to school with the same group of friends and loves to sing harmony, looking for any and all occasions to perform, whether with friends or in front of strangers, with all his heart. He also plays the Ukulele.

Erick Brian Colón- 14, Cuban from Tampa

Born in Cuba, Erick moved to the United States when his father, who was already living here, sent for him, his mother and sister. Since he was 5 years old, Erick has been singing with a microphone in his hand, first at parties and school activities, then later at Karaokes. He loves to play soccer, dance at parties, has many friends at school, and is the only one in his family who wants a career in music.

Aaron Bodden- 17, American of Honduran and Dominican parents from Miami

Born and raised in a poor and violent neighborhood of Miami, Aaron now lives with his mother, two siblings and Grandmother in Homestead, Florida. His passion for Rap music and urban rhythms has made him popular in the neighborhood and at school where he is known for his singing and producing music for himself and others on his computer at home. He loves “remixes” and hip-hop and reggaeton songs, and fights to succeed in the name of all those from poor neighborhoods who have died from violence.

Yoandri Cabrera- 16, Cuban-American from Miami

Yoandri, who lives at home with his mother, started singing when he was 7 years old, inspired by his mother who also sang as a little girl. His favorite artists are Alicia Keys, Amy Winehouse, Michael Buble, Frank Sinatra, Marc Anthony, and One Direction. He says finding God helped him more than anything in the world to always have a positive outlook.

Kevin González- 19, Mexican-Salvadoran from Arizona

Kevin lives with his parents and is the youngest of four brothers. His oldest brother, who is a rapper, is his biggest influence. He loves to play the piano and the ukulele, but feels family is the most important thing and that they give him the confidence he needs to go on singing. His dream is to one day help young people and make a positive impression on their lives.

Richard Camacho- 18, Dominican from NH

Coming from a musical family, Richard’s father had been a musician in his youth and his mother a dancer. So he began his musical career at the age of only 4 years old when his father, who was a musician and worked as a TV cameraman in the Dominican Republic, took him to an audition. From then on he dedicated his life to singing and dancing.