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.

The path to musical excellence rarely follows a straight line. For Eloy Garza, director of Roma High School's 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. 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.

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.

Clyde Guerra never planned to become an award-winning mariachi director. His early musical journey began at age nine with a guitar class called "Las Guitarritas," leading to his first vocal competition win at a local livestock show. Surrounded by the sounds of Linda Ronstadt and Vicente Fernández in his grandmother's home, young Clyde was steered toward violin by a prescient voice teacher who told him it would give him better opportunities to showcase his vocal abilities.

Throughout our conversation, Clyde reveals the fascinating twists in his path – from his years as a standout performer in Roma High School's prestigious mariachi program to juggling pre-med and music studies at UTRGV. Despite always believing he would become a doctor, he ultimately followed his heart, earning both bachelor's and master's degrees in violin performance. When faced with post-graduation uncertainty during the pandemic, he took a chance on education – promising during his interview at Edinburg High School that despite his lack of teaching experience, he would build a successful program.

Just four years later, Clyde has transformed EHS's struggling mariachi program into state champions, literally standing outside band rooms recruiting reluctant students who now couldn't imagine their lives without mariachi. Beyond his educational success, he shares behind-the-scenes stories of competing on La Voz Mexico and his unexpected opportunity to perform with Peso Pluma at the VMAs – a manifestation story that demonstrates the unpredictable nature of musical careers.

What makes Clyde's story particularly compelling is his evolution from focusing solely on personal achievement to finding fulfillment in student development. He candidly discusses the challenges of adapting teaching methods to each unique environment and the profound satisfaction of seeing students discover their musical potential. Whether you're a music educator, performer, or student considering a music career, Clyde's journey offers valuable insights about persistence, passion, and the unexpected places a musical life might lead.

The pathway to passion often begins with reluctance. In this heartfelt conversation, acclaimed musician and educator Karina Vela reveals how being forced to take guitar lessons instead of joining the basketball team as a child in Matamoros, Mexico, planted the seeds for a transformative musical journey.

"I was forced into music, not pushed," Vela laughs, recounting the maternal decision that changed her life trajectory. What began with tearful guitar practices while watching friends play basketball through the window evolved into a profound love for mariachi music after her family immigrated to the United States when she was eleven.

Vela's story challenges typical immigration narratives. Rather than experiencing the American dream, she initially found herself in "a nightmare"—living in a hastily converted mechanic shop with outdoor showers after her family's comfortable middle-class life in Mexico. Music became her sanctuary during this difficult transition, especially when she discovered mariachi in high school: "I felt at home right at the moment I walked in that classroom."

Now the head orchestra director at San Benito High School, founder of the all-female Mariachi Margaritas (celebrating 16 years), and creator of the San Benito Music Academy serving 120+ students, Vela has become a powerful force in expanding music education throughout the Rio Grande Valley. Her ensembles have toured with Ángela Aguilar and performed at high-profile events, while her advocacy has helped establish new mariachi programs in school districts where none previously existed.

Perhaps most moving is Vela's reflection on how music helped her heal after losing her brother in a car accident. "Music does heal," she affirms, explaining how performance provided escape and expression when grief seemed overwhelming.

Whether you're a music educator, aspiring musician, or simply someone seeking inspiration, Karina's parting advice resonates: "Be either too stupid or too brave to do it. You're not going to regret it." Join us for this powerful conversation about finding purpose through unlikely beginnings.

The cultural disconnect in the Rio Grande Valley has long been a fascinating paradox: Brownsville celebrates its Mexican heritage with festivals like Charro Days, yet for years lacked the educational infrastructure to nurture mariachi musicians – until Abigail Gonzalez arrived with a vision to change everything.

Abigail's remarkable journey begins in La Joya, Texas, where she grew up surrounded by music and participated in one of the Rio Grande Valley's pioneering mariachi programs. Her determination was evident early – famously learning guitar in just two weeks as a high school freshman because she refused to let her mariachi dreams slip away. This same determination would later fuel her mission to bring mariachi education to communities that had historically resisted it.

When Abigail moved to Brownsville, she encountered a puzzling situation. Despite the region's proximity to Mexico and cultural pride, there was a glaring absence of mariachi and orchestra programs in schools. As she tells it, mariachi education was "a sleeping lion" that just needed awakening. Through her roles as a performer with the all-female Mariachi Margaritas, a business owner running a music academy, and now as Music Program Administrator at Texas Southmost College, she's been instrumental in that awakening.

The crown jewel of her efforts is a mariachi festival now in its sixth year, newly institutionalized through Texas Southmost College. This year's event features the premier Mariachi Sol de Mexico and approximately 550 student participants from over 30 schools – a testament to how quickly interest has grown. More significantly, Brownsville Independent School District now boasts five beginning mariachi programs, something previously thought impossible.

Throughout the episode, Abigail shares personal insights about overcoming resistance, the importance of giving credit where it's due, and the natural relationship between mariachi and orchestra programs. Her story isn't just about music education – it's about cultural preservation, creating opportunities, and following your passion despite obstacles. Ready to be inspired by a true musical revolutionary? Listen now and discover how one determined educator is changing the cultural landscape of South Texas.

Alex Treviño II's journey from a small-town violinist to performing with the Grammy-winning Mariachi Los Camperos represents the beautiful intersection of family legacy, personal determination, and cultural heritage. In a recent conversation, Alex shared insights into his remarkable path that began long before he was born – with his parents meeting in their high school mariachi class.

Unlike many musicians who come from musical families, Alex's story is uniquely steeped in mariachi tradition from conception. Both his parents were violinists in the same mariachi group, creating what would become a multi-generational family of violinists. This foundation provided Alex with an immersive musical environment, though interestingly, he admits to initially resisting mariachi music as a child despite being constantly surrounded by it.

Alex's formal musical journey began with piano lessons at age five, followed by violin around age seven. His father, a respected mariachi musician and educator, ensured Alex received proper classical training before introducing him to mariachi. This solid foundation would later prove invaluable, though Alex candidly shares there were moments he wanted to quit. "I remember just one day crying a lot and I was like, 'You know what, I can't do this, I quit, I don't want to ever touch the violin,'" he recalls. These vulnerable admissions highlight the universal struggles many young musicians face, regardless of their eventual success.

The turning point in Alex's relationship with mariachi came during his freshman year of high school when he saw friends embracing the genre. This peer influence, combined with his family legacy, finally clicked. His subsequent journey through the prestigious Mariachi Aztlán at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) refined his skills and eventually prepared him for professional opportunities. What began as resistance transformed into deep passion and purpose.

Another fascinating aspect of Alex's story is his parallel journey of personal transformation through health and fitness. During the pandemic, he embarked on a significant weight loss journey, beginning with simple walks around his neighborhood that progressively evolved into running and weight training. This physical transformation mirrored his musical development – both requiring discipline, consistency, and a willingness to pursue incremental progress. His passion for fitness even influenced his younger brother, whom Alex introduced to weight lifting, demonstrating how personal growth often creates ripple effects in those around us.

Perhaps most inspiring is Alex's perspective on obtaining his dream position with Mariachi Los Camperos. When offered the opportunity while still completing his music education degree, the group's leadership encouraged him to finish his education first – no shortcuts. This respect for his personal development speaks volumes about the values within the mariachi community and reinforced Alex's commitment to balancing performance with education.

Today, Alex represents a new generation of mariachi musicians who honor tradition while embracing contemporary approaches to music and career development. His advice to aspiring musicians reflects this balanced perspective: "Stay humble and always have the drive and desire to learn more." He emphasizes the importance of connections, viewing mariachi as fundamentally about human connection – whether celebrating joyous occasions or providing comfort during difficult moments.

Alex Treviño II's story reminds us that musical journeys rarely follow straight lines. His path – with its struggles, moments of resistance, and eventual triumph – offers encouragement to anyone pursuing their passion while honoring their heritage. From photoshopping hims

Alex Treviño's first encounter with mariachi wasn't love at first sight—it was a reluctant step taken at his mother's insistence during his sophomore year of high school. Today, as the head mariachi director at McAllen High School and a performer with Grammy-nominated Mariachi Los Arreros del Valle, he laughs about that initial resistance. "I didn't want to join," he recalls, "but after one competition, I was hooked."

This transformation from reluctance to passion frames Treviño's remarkable 25-year journey through mariachi performance and education. From his early days with UTPA's mariachi program to co-founding Mariachi Los Arrieros del Valle after gaining professional experience in San Antonio, Treviño's path reveals the depth and breadth of mariachi culture in South Texas. Most recently, he helped orchestrate a groundbreaking performance at the Hollywood Bowl, where three Valley school mariachi programs (including his own) performed alongside Los Arrieros—the first time student groups have been featured so prominently at the prestigious venue.

Perhaps most compelling is Treviño's 17-year mission to rebuild McAllen High's mariachi program from nearly nothing. Beginning as just an after-school activity with minimal support, the program now stands as a fully endorsed class with an expanding middle school initiative. This growth didn't come easily; it required changing perceptions, recruiting students without established feeder programs, and balancing professional performances with educational responsibilities. His persistence illustrates the challenges mariachi educators face nationwide and offers a blueprint for success through community building and unwavering commitment.

The conversation takes a touching turn when Treviño's discusses how all three of his children embraced mariachi, creating a unique family legacy. "The legacy we leave behind is our kids," he reflects, noting how teaching his own children through his program helped balance the time demands of his profession with family life. This personal dimension highlights how mariachi creates connections across generations and communities.

Listen now to discover how passion, persistence, and family have shaped one educator's quest to elevate mariachi education in the Rio Grande Valley—and what his journey reveals about the bright future of this beloved musical tradition.

In this episode of Charros Y Clasicos, a Bosky Strings Podcast, hosts Miguel and Joel interview Mayra Garcia-Adame, a renowned mariachi director at Mariachi Los Lobos de Palmview High School and founder of Mariachi Mariposa, an award winning all-female mariachi. Mayra shares her inspiring story of overcoming adversity and becoming an influential leader in the mariachi world. She discusses her upbringing, the challenges she faced as a woman in a male-dominated industry, and her passion for promoting diversity and inclusion in the arts. Through her experiences and insights, listeners will gain a deeper appreciation for the cultural significance of mariachi music and the importance of empowering women in music education.