Ariana Gallardo
Priscilla Espinoza (From left) Violin major; Kassandra Juarez Graduate student; Nathan Fernandez now a member of Mariachi Sol de Mexico
35 years ago Mariachi Aztlan which is one of UTRGV’s mariachi groups started with the inspiration of Mexican music and has since flourished from then on according to a university official.
Marichi Aztlán was initiated by Assistant Vice President of Public Art at UTRGV, Dahlia Guerra.
In her early years she performed as a pianist for folklórico dance, which inspired her to create a program where students from the valley are able to connect with hispanic heritage.
In 2010, the mariachi had the opportunity to perform for former President Barack Obama in the White House. In the same year, they premiered their first mariachi opera for the Houston Grand Opera.
In 2024, the program toured with Aida Cuevas and performed in 22 different venues across the U.S..
“We hope to continue to be that beacon of inspiration for our culture, for our heritage, we are the valley, we are representing our culture throughout the United States,” Guerra said.
She said the dedication of the students, co-Director Francisco Loera and staff is what drives the program to succeed.
“It has been my life’s work,”Guerra said. “It’s been a complete pleasure for me to have founded the mariachi, to developed the mariachi to have worked alongside Francisco Loera, all of our students, so it been a pleasure to work with a team”
Musical Arranger Jacob Contador is a member of Mariachi Aztlán for more than three years. During his time he performed as a harpist, vocalist and a musical arranger for the mariachi.
Contador said he took inspiration from his sister being in Aztlán and wanted to follow in her footsteps.
“One of my favorite things in Mariachi Aztlán, [is] being able to arrange for the group, …listening to my arrangements come to life and being able to learn how [to] arrange based off experiences with the group,” he said.
Contador said he is honored to be giving his musical input to the group.
“Listening to the rehearsal my music gives me further insight on how to improve as an arranger,” he said.
He says his experience in Mariachi Aztlán and the mariachi major program at UTRGV helped him improve and fosters the students’ passion.
For more information, visit the UTRGV College of Fine Arts Website.
