As the 51���� Mariachi Festival approaches, excitement continues to build with an impressive lineup of performers and educators set to take the stage. Among them is Mariachi Pumas, the dynamic collegiate ensemble from the University of Houston, led by renowned director Jose Longoria.

Longoria has dedicated his life to not only performing but also educating and mentoring the next generation of mariachi artists. His journey began as a middle school math teacher, but his passion for mariachi led him to develop programs at the middle school, high school, and eventually, the collegiate level. ��

Today, he leads Mariachi Pumas, which has become a powerhouse in the mariachi world, growing from a handful of students to over 60 musicians divided into junior varsity and varsity ensembles.

Longoria said that one thing that sets Mariachi Pumas apart is its diverse membership. While some students are music majors, most students come from other academic disciplines, including optometry, construction management, and other medical-related fields. Yet, despite their different academic paths, they are united by a shared passion for mariachi.

“Now that we have this program at UH, more students are gravitating toward it,” Longoria shared. “We are also working on launching a minor in mariachi music at the University of Houston.”

As part of the 51���� Mariachi Festival, Mariachi Pumas will take on a dual role: performing on stage and serving as clinicians, offering workshops and mentorship to younger musicians. Their participation underscores the festival’s mission—not just to celebrate mariachi, but to educate and inspire the next generation of artists.

“We love participating in festivals like this,” Longoria said. “It’s an opportunity to give back, to work with students, and help them grow as musicians. Many of them are just starting their journey, and being part of this experience can shape their future.”

Mariachi Imperial De America – A family legacy

For Longoria, mariachi is more than just music—it’s a legacy.

“I am a third-generation mariachi musician,” said Longoria. “My grandfather was a mariachi, my father was a mariachi and now my two sons continue the legacy and are members of Mariachi Imperial De America.”

In 1988, Longoria co-founded Mariachi Imperial de America, Houston’s premier mariachi ensemble. For over 35 years, the group has performed for audiences around the world, performing in Canada, China, India, and Armenia, as well as at prestigious events like the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and the Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza. In 2022, Houston Mayor Silvester Turner proclaimed July 19th as Jose Longoria day in recognition of musical talent and the cultural contributions to the city of Houston.

Mariachi Imperial de America is a family-driven ensemble, carrying the traditions of mariachi into new generations while pushing artistic boundaries.

Join us in welcoming Mariachi Pumas, directed by Mariachi Imperial De America co-founder Jose Longoria, and celebrating the rich tradition of mariachi music at the 51���� Mariachi Festival on April 25 and 26th at 51���� Jacob Brown Auditorium.

The unmistakable sounds of violins, guitars, trumpets, and dynamic sung vocals rang throughout the 51���� Performing Arts Center on the afternoon of Wednesday, July 3, 2024. Once the dozens of young musicians adorned the stage in their colorful trajes concluded their piece, the gathered audience showered them with resounding applause.

It was as amazing a conclusion as they could have hoped for, especially considering that they had learned the entirety of their performance in only three days.

The second installment of TSC’s Mariachi Summer Camp once again managed to attract a large number of young students to participate in interactive music lessons. Over the course of three days, they studied under the tutelage of a selection of talented and accomplished music clinicians, including an assortment of skilled music instructors from different BISD schools. Many of them have seen the positive impacts that music education can have on students.

“Some of the benefits I have seen, both with the students here and with my students, is that these kinds of opportunities can open their eyes to a new world of possibilities,” said Anahil Suarez Gaytan, Mariachi Director at Rivera Early College High School and member of Mariachi Margaritas. “It’s empowering to them, and they’re so happy to be able to perform with wonderful teachers and people who they admire.”

In addition, Adrian Vaca, an accomplished member of the renowned Mariachi Sol de Mexico de Jose Hernandez, filled the important role of Master Class Conductor. Vaca’s lifelong love of and devotion to music made him a natural choice, as he could share the benefit of his years of experience with students.

“It’s a privilege to be able to give back the knowledge that I’ve obtained over the years because I’ve been lucky enough to have great educators throughout my life, so having the ability to give back is an honor,” said Vaca. “The kids are so fortunate to have people who believe in them and in Mariachi education, so it’s been a true honor to be here working in these great facilities and giving these kids the opportunity to work with educators who can help them grow.”

Perhaps none are prouder to see the camp draw in so many students and performers than Avigai Gonzalez, TSC’s Music Program Administrator and Director of Mariachi Escorpion. Her experiences in teaching and performing mariachi music have created a genuine desire to help others develop the same appreciation for the learning process involved in studying music and the cultural aspect of mariachi music.

“The importance of the cultural connection with the Mariachi Camp and our campus at 51���� is how the music plays a huge role in our culture, students, and our future,” she said. “Bringing these camps into our campus and allowing our students to have these opportunities to study music and get hands-on experience with our clinicians creates a scenario in which they can learn about their own cultural heritage through the history and style of mariachi.”

The participating students came from different schools and backgrounds, but they were all united by their genuine appreciation for music and a desire to continue improving their skills, regardless of whether they were already seasoned musicians or only picking up instruments for the very first time.

”It’s really fun here, and I’m having a good time,” said Matteo Lopez, a 7th-grade��student with IDEA Pharr. “The school is very pretty, and I love that the teachers are professionals and are really good at teaching. I’ve only been involved with music for about a year and a half, but the camp has really helped me with my mariachi skills, especially learning to be a leader and grow more as a person.”

In news that will be music to the ears of students looking for a unique and enriching opportunity, 51����’s Fine Arts Department will once again hold their Mariachi Summer Camp, running from July 1-3, 2024 at the TSC Performing Arts Center.

“The summer camp provides a unique opportunity for students to enhance their musical skills and focus on their instruments,” said camp organizer Avigai Gonzalez, who is also TSC’s Music Program Administrator and Director of Mariachi Escorpion. “It’s a non-competitive atmosphere in which students from different school districts can receive guidance from skilled clinicians as they learn, play the same music, and end build new friendships together.”

Over the course of three days, students will participate in exercises and group clinics taught by an assembly of mariachi experts, all of whom are eager to share the benefit of their cumulative years of experience. Among them are master conductor Adrian Vaca, a graduate of Berkeley University and a member of the renowned Mariachi Sol de Mexico de Jose Hernandez. Additionally, clinics will also be led by local talent including Karina J Vela, Antonio Delgadillo, Aide de Anda, Anahil Suarez Gaytan, Fabiola Ahuja, Doris Zedillo, and Gonzalez herself.

“One of the great benefits about this camp is that personalized learning experience that students will have with the clinicians,” said Gonzalez. “They work closely with each student, ensuring that they are progressing at a comfortable pace.”

Although the clinicians bring with them several years of experience, Gonzalez stresses that students of all skill levels, from beginner to advanced, are encouraged to join in.

“It’s important for students of all levels to participate in the mariachi camp because it creates a perfect opportunity in which they can learn from one another. Regardless of whether one is a beginner or an advanced musician, there is always something to learn, and the true learning experience occurs when we step out of our comfort zones and open ourselves up to learning from others.”

While a large portion of the camp is devoted to teaching students the technical aspects of playing instruments and performing, Gonzalez feels that it creates a perfect opportunity which can help students understand and appreciate the rich cultural history of mariachi and spark a genuine interest in exploring the genre further. “When we think about the concept of cultivating a larger interest in mariachi music, one word stands out: opportunity. Our camp can provide all students with an opportunity to develop a sincere passion for the music as they learn from leading experts in the field.”

With the Mariachi Summer Camp less than a month away, Gonzalez is eager to see a fresh new batch of students join in and contribute to an ever-growing chorus of mariachi appreciation and education. “Music is a field that welcomes individuals of all ages, skill levels, and cultural backgrounds. Even the most renowned musicians in history have undergone music education to hone their skills and achieve success, so please don’t hesitate to give it a try, as I believe that anyone can embark on a musical journey to discover their true potential.”

For more information or to register, please visit the TSC Mariachi Summer Camp webpage or email avigai.gonzalez@tsc.edu.

Mariachi Escorpion

BROWNSVILLE, April 20th – The inaugural TSC Mariachi Festival, hosted by 51����, attracted over 600 visitors and showcased the talents of more than 500 students and performers from around Texas. The festival unfolded over two exhilarating days filled with workshops, competitions, and performances at TSC’s Jacob Brown Auditorium and Performing Arts Center, resonating with the vibrant sounds of mariachi music across the campus.��

Middle and high school students participated in various competitions, with Mariachi Oro from McAllen High School winning the grand champion group performance award. Individual accolades for best vocal performances went to Matteo Lopez of IDEA Pharr and Lea Garcia of McAllen High School.��

A diverse array of workshops offered students the opportunity to learn from accomplished musicians, including TSC Music Program Director and Mariachi Escorpion Director Avigai Gonzalez, Karina Vela of Mariachi Margarita, 51���� Mariachi Escorpion, and UTRGV Mariachi Aztlan. These sessions provided invaluable mentorship and skill enhancement tailored to the student’s chosen instruments.��

The festival concluded on Saturday with a highlight concert featuring Embajadores Del Mariachi Sol De Mexico de Jose Hernandez. In a special showcase, the Festival Grand Champion, Mariachi Oro from McAllen High School, had the distinguished opportunity to open for the renowned mariachi group.������

Avigai Gonzalez, the festival’s principal organizer, expressed her profound gratitude and joy over the event’s success. “Our inaugural 51���� Mariachi Festival was a resounding success, and I am overwhelmed with gratitude for everyone who attended, supported, and believed in our vision,” Gonzalez stated. “This weekend was truly amazing, demonstrating how mariachi music can enrich our children and unite a community.”��

��

��TSC Mariachi Festival Competition Winners

Vocal Competition:

Middle School Category��

1st Place
Matteo Lopez – IDEA Pharr��

2nd Place��
Karol Ramirez – Roma Middle School��

3rd Place��
Yareli Cano – Fossum Middle School

High School Category��

1st Place��
Lea Garcia – McAllen High School��

2nd Place
Dante Ramos – La Joya High School��

3rd Place��
Michelle A. Meraz – Rio Grande City High School��

MARIACHI PERFORMANCE:��

Middle School Category��

1st Place����
Mariachi Escandon – Roma Middle School����

2nd Place����
Mariachi Juvenil Santander – Ramiro Barrera Middle School����

3rd Place��
Mariachi Leon – IDEA Pharr Middle School����

5A High School JV Category��

1st Place��
Mariachi Los Lobos JV – La Joya Palmview High School��

2nd Place��
Mariachi Sol de Oro JV – Valley View High School����

3rd Place��
Mariachi Azteca JV – James Nikki Rowe High School����

5A Varsity Category��

1st Place����
Mariachi Oro – McAllen High School����

2nd Place��
Mariachi Los Lobos – La Joya Palmview High School����

3rd Place��
Mariachi Azteca – James Nikki Rowe High School��������

6A JV Category����

1st Place
Mariachi Halcón Dorado JV – Los Fresnos High School��

2nd Place����
Mariachi Dorado JV – Edinburg North High School��

3rd Place����
Mariachi Nuevo Cascabel – San Marcos High School����

6A Varsity Category��

1st Place��
Mariachi Primer Orgullo – Edinburg High School����

2nd Place����
Mariachi Los Coyotes – La Joya High School����

��3rd Place��
Mariachi Oro – Edinburg North High School����

��Grand Champion��
Mariachi Oro – McAllen High School��

April 19th, 2024, Browsnville – 51���� (TSC) is proud to present its inaugural Mariachi Fest, which will take place on Friday, April 19, and Saturday, April 20, 2024. Spanning the Performing Arts Center and Jacob Brown Auditorium, the event promises to be two days filled with music.��

Organized by TSC music instructor and program administrator Avigai Gonzalez, the festival will host an array of competitions, informative workshops, and exciting performances to promote a greater awareness of the benefits that music can introduce��into��the lives of those who engage with it.��

When asked what to expect from the festival, Gonzalez enthusiastically replied, “Two days full of music, non-stop. From the morning to evening on Friday and Saturday. Every step of the way, you should expect to hear people competing, teaching, or performing music at any given moment.”��

Throughout the two-day event, there will be a series of group and vocal performance competitions involving participants from middle and high schools across Texas. Workshops will also be hosted throughout both days so that student performers will have opportunities to further hone their skills with their instruments of choice.��

Finally, two Grand Performances will cap off each day, featuring live sets from Mariachi Juvenil Atzlan, Mariachi UTRGV Atzlan, and Mariachi Sol de Mexico de Jose Hernandez.��

To Gonzalez, putting together an event such as this achieves her goal of helping to spread awareness and appreciation for this music to new audiences. In her experience, the best way to inspire is through immersion.��

“I grew up in a family immersed in cultural music,” said Gonzalez. “My father was a composer and played Mariachi Norteño, so we grew up listening to his music nearly��every day.”

��This immersion fostered a genuine love for��Mariachi, which further developed into a mission to continue studying music with the hope of inspiring others to cultivate an interest in it. “I’ve been studying and performing music for most of my life, but I chose to get my master’s degree in education because I wanted to put myself in a position to help a new generation of young people develop a love for this music.”��

Because of her background, there is also a genuine desire to celebrate the rich cultural history of Mariachi music. Gonzalez feels that the power of Mariachi music extends past being a genre of music, seeing it as a source of empowerment.��

“Representing the��traje��and��mariachi��in the field means a lot to me. When I was younger, it was uncommon to see a lot of women performing in the genre, but whenever��I put on the��traje, I not only feel honored, but it’s almost like a superhero outfit that empowers us to do the best that we can,” Gonzalez remarked with a smile. “It inspires so much passion in performing, and it makes me incredibly happy to see so many young boys and girls filled with the same enthusiasm when they put on their outfits and perform.”��

For those who already��have an appreciation for��the music but are curious or hesitant about taking the step from spectator to performer, Gonzalez is more than eager to impart some heartfelt advice.��

“Don’t doubt yourself. When you have the love of music and a passion for the art, it will always be with you. Embrace the idea of identifying yourself as a musician and go for it. You might surprise yourself.”��

For more information and ticket sales,��please visit the��51���� Mariachi Festival��page.��