Charros y Clásicos

Bridging Cultures Through Music with Mirelle Acuña

A groundbreaking musical movement is taking shape in South Texas, and Mirelle Acuña stands at its center. In this enlightening conversation, the co-founder of the RGV International Mariachi Conference shares her vision for transforming mariachi education across the region and beyond. "We've seen exponential growth in mariachi education here in South Texas," Mirelle explains, highlighting how students typically had to travel far for advanced training opportunities. Her solution? Create Texas's first International Mariachi Conference, bringing world-class instruction directly to RGV students through workshops led by Mariachi Sol de Mexico [https://www.mariachisoldemexico.com] and other master teachers. What makes this conference revolutionary is its comprehensive approach. Unlike other events, it offers both instrumental and vocal training, acknowledging that true mariachi musicians must excel at both. It provides crucial professional development for educators, prepares students for Texas All-State competitions, and—perhaps most innovatively—includes a conjunto competition, creating unprecedented opportunities for students in this traditional genre. Mirelle's personal journey mirrors the transformative power of music education. From a reluctant high school mariachi student who initially thought the genre "sucks," she evolved into a passionate educator with 17 years of teaching experience and a master's in educational leadership. Her story resonates with anyone who's faced discouragement, remembering a professor who told her to quit music school—advice she thankfully ignored. The inaugural RGV International Mariachi Conference runs June 25-28, culminating in a spectacular concert at McAllen Performing Arts Center. Registration remains open for students and non-students alike, with affordable rates and scholarships available. Behind it all is Mirelle's unwavering belief in creating opportunities: "We're not out to make money; we're out to give kids opportunities." Ready to witness this musical revolution firsthand? Visit rgvmariachiconference.com [https://www.rgvmariachiconference.com] to register for workshops or purchase concert tickets and be part of what promises to become a cornerstone of mariachi education in Texas.

Carlos Peralez: Musical Heart, Engineering Mind

Carlos Peralez sits down with Charros y Clásicos to share a remarkable journey that spans nearly five decades of balancing professional engineering with passionate musicianship. With violin in hand since age 10, Carlos takes us through his evolution from a kid who joined orchestra just to skip class to a dedicated performer with over 40 years in the Valley Symphony Orchestra. "I think I needed music to get me through engineering school," Carlos reveals, describing how violin practice became his sanctuary during stressful academic periods. This theme of music as mental refreshment continues throughout his narrative, showing how artistic pursuits can complement rather than compete with professional careers. The conversation touches on memorable moments with his mentor Kurt Roehm, whose influence shaped not just Carlos's musical abilities but his approach to life. We learn about the special violin Roehm personally selected for him in 1978—an instrument Carlos still plays today, 47 years later. His story expands to include family connections through music, from performing wedding duets with his singer wife to watching his daughter become a three-time All-Stater herself. What makes Carlos's story particularly compelling is his practical wisdom for young musicians. "You don't need to be a music major if that's not your calling. But for God's sake, don't give it up," he advises, challenging the notion that artistic pursuits must be abandoned when choosing practical career paths. His journey embodies this philosophy, demonstrating how persistence, balance, and genuine passion can create a life where engineering blueprints and musical scores harmoniously coexist. Join us for this heartwarming conversation that reminds us how maintaining connections to our artistic passions throughout life creates richer, more balanced human experiences. Have you found ways to keep your creative passions alive alongside your career? We'd love to hear your story.

From Student to Maestro: The Journey of Moises Llanes

When classical music plays in a baby's nursery, does it really make a difference? For Moises Llanes, those early moments with Beethoven and Brahms symphonies resonating through his crib shaped a lifelong passion that would transform orchestral education in the Rio Grande Valley. This captivating conversation reveals how a businessman father with an eighth-grade education made a pivotal decision to expose his children to classical music and piano lessons, creating the foundation for Moises's remarkable 37-year teaching career. "I just feel at home listening and playing classical music," Llanes shares, reflecting on those formative experiences that gave him both purpose and direction from an astonishingly young age. Llanes takes us through his journey from student violinist to celebrated educator, highlighting a watershed moment when, as a high school student, he recognized a critical gap in orchestral education - the lack of music literacy. This insight became the cornerstone of his teaching philosophy, creating generations of independent musicians who could truly understand music rather than merely memorize finger positions. "You don't have to figure it out, you just have to read it," became his mantra, empowering students to explore music confidently on their own. The conversation delves into Llanes's collegiate years, cultural identity challenges, and the resilience that carried him through financial hardships when his father's business collapsed. Despite briefly retiring in 2022, his passion for music education drew him back to the classroom at Lorenzo de Zavala Middle School, where he continues making an impact. His parting wisdom for aspiring educators resonates powerfully: "If you're not going to do it 110%, especially teaching, don't do it at all." Subscribe now to hear more inspiring stories from the musical community of the Rio Grande Valley, where passion, perseverance, and cultural heritage create a unique symphony of experiences.

Nathan Fernández: A Life-Changing Opportunity from José Hernández

Meet Nathan Fernandez, a remarkable talent whose musical journey bridges two worlds – the rich mariachi traditions of his family and the prestigious international stage of Mariachi Sol de México de José Hernández. In this deeply personal conversation, Nathan reveals his childhood experiences standing beside his father at performances from the tender age of four, toy violin in hand, trying to mimic his father's mannerisms. However, his path wasn't straightforward – for years, Nathan struggled with the tension between family musical obligations and his passion for soccer. "I hated the fact that I had to miss games," he confesses, giving us a rare glimpse into the inner conflict that many young musicians face when balancing family traditions with personal desires. The turning point came during his high school years when inspiration struck after witnessing a UTRGV mariachi performance. Under the guidance of dedicated educators, Nathan developed his musical literacy and skills, eventually joining his school's mariachi program. But life took a dramatic turn when his father passed away in January 2020, just before the pandemic. This profound loss transformed Nathan's relationship with music – what had once been obligation became a powerful connection to his father's legacy. When José Hernández invited Nathan to join the legendary Mariachi Sol de México, he faced a life-changing decision. "My dad's favorite group has always been Mariachi Sol de México," Nathan shares, "and I felt like if I didn't take it, I would always be that one guy saying 'I could have, but I didn't.'" Now approaching his second anniversary with the group, Nathan has performed worldwide, including tours throughout the United States, Mexico, and even Saudi Arabia, while developing as a composer and arranger under Hernández's mentorship. Whether you're a musician, a parent guiding a child through their passions, or someone facing a crossroads between comfort and opportunity, Nathan's story will resonate deeply. Listen now and discover how embracing your heritage while following your own path can lead to extraordinary possibilities.

Mentorship, Music, and Mariachi Education: The Eloy Garza Story

The path to musical excellence rarely follows a straight line. For Eloy Garza, director of Roma High School's [https://rhs.romaisd.com] celebrated mariachi program, that journey weaves through personal struggles, unexpected opportunities, and the profound impact of mentorship that transformed a shy trumpet player into an award-winning educator. Growing up in a household filled with music, Garza was surrounded by family traditions dating back to his great-grandfather. Yet his story isn't one of natural talent, but rather determination. "I was not the type that was very talented, but I work at it," he shares candidly, describing how he had to practice "twice or three times as much" as his more naturally gifted peers. This firsthand understanding of persistence would later become the cornerstone of his educational philosophy. After graduating from Roma High School in 2000, Garza's path took a series of unexpected turns. From studying in Kingsville to transferring to UTPA, his life changed dramatically after meeting José Hernández of Sol de México [https://www.mariachisoldemexico.com]. Beginning with transcription work and eventually touring professionally, Garza achieved his dream of performing with one of mariachi's most prestigious groups. Yet at the height of this success, he felt called back to education—a field he initially "hated with a passion." What makes Garza's approach unique is his innovative educational system combining band discipline with mariachi tradition. By breaking down complex techniques into manageable steps, his students achieve professional-level excellence. The results speak for themselves: under his leadership since 2013, Roma's mariachi program has reached unprecedented heights, culminating in their upcoming induction into the Las Vegas Walk of Stars [https://lasvegaswalkofstars.com]. Now in his 20th year as an educator, Garza's focus is expanding beyond his own program to mentor other directors. His advice echoes the words José Hernández gave him: "If you're going to do it, do it well." For mariachi educators and students alike, Garza's journey offers powerful proof that sometimes our greatest contribution comes not just from following our dreams, but discovering where we're truly needed.