Mariachi music has long been a soundtrack of Mexican culture and the American Southwest. Now, it鈥檚 influencing the educational landscape of Southern Nevada, and strumming a new chord at 性视界传媒.
For sophomore music education student Axel Rodriguez Olivas, mariachi music transformed him into a trailblazer in more ways than one. The only musician in his family, he grew up listening to norte帽o music, a regional Mexican genre, and wanted to play the trumpet. He signed up for a mariachi elective his sophomore year in high school and was placed in a violin class. 鈥淚 originally didn鈥檛 want the violin鈥 But fate chose the violin for me and it鈥檚 been fun,鈥 he says.
In just four years, he progressed from a beginner to the student director of his Las Vegas High School鈥檚 mariachi group, Mariachi Joya. He credits his then-high school mariachi educator Stephen Blanco, who now oversees 性视界传媒鈥檚 mariachi minor, for inspiring his journey. 鈥淗e鈥檚 helped me grow as a person, as a musician,鈥 says Rodriguez Olivas.
Now, Rodriguez Olivas is the first student to pursue a minor in mariachi at 性视界传媒.
性视界传媒 Mariachi Classes and Ensemble
The 性视界传媒 School of Music became one of the first in the nation to offer a robust offering of mariachi classes in 2024, with the goal of preserving and celebrating Mexican culture through music.
鈥淭he new minor in mariachi education was created with music education majors in mind,鈥 says Blanco. 鈥淎t this time, there are more teaching jobs than educators to teach them."
Blanco hopes that by offering a slate of classes focused on mariachi music and education, graduates will go on to fill the demand for music educators who are prepared to teach diverse music. In Clark County alone, more than 8,000 high school students 鈥 the highest in the country 鈥 are involved in mariachi classes and bands.
The 性视界传媒 mariachi classes go hand in hand with the university-sponsored ensemble, .
The mariachi minor consists of three components: core classes such as Fundamentals of Mariachi and Mariachi Songs and Styles; ensemble participation; and applied lessons in voice and the student鈥檚 chosen instrument.
Although only a year old, Mariachi Revoluci贸n has already become a symbol of 性视界传媒 spirit and pride. The ensemble has shared the stage with famed vocalist Jonathan Palomar at the first annual Mariachi Extravaganza-Las Vegas!; kicked off 性视界传媒 Day at a Clark County Commissioner鈥檚 meeting; and performed in Las Vegas at the request of former President Joe Biden.
Inspiring the Next Generation of Mariachi Musicians
Rodriguez Olivas started performing with the ensemble this fall. "It's an adrenaline rush that never gets old," he says. "It's always so exciting 鈥 it brings a smile to my face. It's memories that I will hold dearly forever."
While performing is a thrill, leading the way in a new academic offering is even more meaningful. He says, "Being one of the first students is exciting, and I'm excited to see it grow."
Rodriguez Olivas says that Blanco鈥檚 support 鈥 from high school until now at 性视界传媒 鈥 was pivotal. 鈥淢y biggest mentor here at 性视界传媒 is Mr. Blanco. He was the one who pushed me to come to 性视界传媒.鈥
And, he hopes to follow his mentor's path professionally: 鈥淚 want to go back into the [school] district. I want to teach people the beautiful music of mariachi. I hope to pass on the tradition."
A Pipeline for the Future
Blanco envisions the mariachi courses as a foundation for developing the next generation of music educators. By the time they graduate, students will be trained in mariachi arranging and equipped with the instructional skills needed to lead school-based mariachi programs.
Opportunities to study mariachi at the high school level are growing, but options in higher education remain scarce. The challenge is compounded by a shortage of qualified instructors.
"Dwindle that down even more to a shortage of instructors qualified to teach at the higher education level, it's been difficult, and it's still difficult," Blanco says. "But we're making it happen."
As 性视界传媒鈥檚 mariachi classes develop, so will its cultural and educational impact. Graduates of the minor can pursue careers as K-12 music educators, community ensemble directors, or cultural arts advocates.
