Mariachi is learned by playing

1. 01

   Beginner

   From age 8, no experience needed

   Skills

   • Hold, tune and care for your instrument

   • Keep the beat of a waltz and of a ranchera

   • Play a simple son in a group of beginners

   • Read a first line of music with your teacher

   Moving up

   Your teacher moves you up when your group can play a whole son together. Every student moves at their own pace.

2. 02

   Intermediate

   From age 10, after Beginner

   Skills

   • Play your part in the full ensemble

   • Accompany a singer and follow the voice

   • Play in two and three parts in your section

   • Prepare a piece for the next performance

   Moving up

   Your teacher and the director talk it over after a performance. Every player moves at their own pace.

3. 03

   Advanced

   From age 13, by invitation of the director

   Skills

   • Play a full program with the senior ensemble

   • Lead a section rehearsal for newer players

   • Accompany a soloist from start to finish

   • Choose and learn songs with the director

   Moving up

   This is the level where you help the others. Many students stay here for years, and some begin to teach.

• 

  Aureliano Zendejas

  Director. Vihuela and ensemble

  Aureliano started the academy so young people in the neighborhood could learn mariachi the way he did: by playing with others from the first week. He teaches vihuela, writes the ensemble's arrangements and leads the Friday rehearsals. He speaks Spanish and English. In the building Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

• 

  Librado Delatorre

  Guitarrón

  Librado has played the guitarrón most of his life. He teaches the bass of the mariachi: how to hold the beat so everyone else can follow it. He plays with the Saturday family ensemble. He speaks Spanish. In the building Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

• 

  Eligio Cardiel

  Theory and harmony

  Eligio explains written music patiently: how to read a line, count a measure and understand the chords of a song you already know. He teaches harmony and arranging to the advanced group. He speaks Spanish and English. In the building Monday and Wednesday.

• 

  Aldahir Mota

  Trumpet

  Aldahir teaches trumpet from the breath and the mouthpiece to the two-trumpet lines that lead a song in the ensemble. He asks every student to play a little every day, even for ten minutes. He speaks Spanish and English. In the building Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

• 

  Luzmila Perdomo

  Voice

  Luzmila teaches ranchera singing: breathing, tuning and telling a story with your voice. She works with young voices, adult voices and people who have never sung in front of anyone. She speaks Spanish. In the building Tuesday and Thursday.

• 

  Gregoria Talamantes

  Violin, intermediate and advanced

  Gregoria teaches violin to intermediate and advanced students and prepares the string sections of the ensemble. She likes to rehearse a hard passage slowly, together, until it feels easy. She speaks Spanish and English. In the building Wednesday and Saturday.

• 

  Crescencia Bazan

  Violin for beginners and children

  Crescencia welcomes those who are starting: children from eight and adults who have never played. She begins with a melody the student already hums. She helps lead the Saturday beginners' ensemble. She speaks Spanish. In the building Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

Sample reviews.