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Mariachi Arrives in Colorado’s University Classrooms

IN THE CRADLE OF MARIACHI | Lorenzo Trujillo and students from the program during their visit to Guadalajara. (Photos/Courtesy of Philip Ficsor)

INNOVATIVE PROGRAM OFFERS A PATHWAY TO FUTURE CAREERS

Newsroom El Comercio de Colorado

This content was originally published on @thelatidobeat

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The Mariachi Performance and Culture program at Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver) is more than an academic degree—it’s a living bridge that connects musical discipline with cultural heritage. At the heart of this initiative is the dedication of students like Ashley Urvine and Jael Falcone, who have found in mariachi string instruments a way to reaffirm their deep Mexican roots.

Both students share a similar foundation: they began their musical paths in classical training. Ashley Urvine, of Mexican descent, first picked up a violin at age seven. For years, she devoted herself to classical music, but mariachi offered her a revelation. “I started violin when I was seven and began with classical music, but I started mariachi two years ago,” Ashley explains.

She has found in this genre an opportunity for continuous growth. “I’ve learned so much about mariachi and keep learning every day.” Her experience has already allowed her to master a wide repertoire, including “Flor de Campo,” her favorite piece. “I think my path in this program shows how my classical background has helped me enrich the expression of my cultural heritage,” she said.

Discovering a New World

Similarly, Jael Falcone spent years studying classical violin. For him, whose family is also of Mexican origin, the program is a formative experience where musical knowledge meets a deeper connection with his identity and family heritage. Jael felt he never had the option to play anything other than classical music, but mariachi has offered him a way to connect with his parents.

“Mariachi is one of those ways I can connect with my parents. The music and lyrics have allowed me to discover another world that I now share with them. That’s what I love about mariachi—it makes them happy too.” Jael also emphasizes that mariachi is universal. “Not all of us in this program are of Mexican descent. This is a professional degree open to everyone,” he said.

A Four-Year Bachelor’s Degree

The Mariachi Performance and Culture program is an interdisciplinary bachelor’s degree that can be completed in four years. Its curriculum is designed for students to master essential mariachi instruments—such as the guitarrón, vihuela, trumpet, and violin—while also gaining a deep understanding of the genre’s history, culture, and artistry.

According to folklorist and musician Lorenzo Trujillo, the academic approach prepares graduates with business and marketing skills so they can manage themselves as artists. “Language is a key part of the program. If students want to become professional mariachis, they need to know how to make contracts, ask for payments, and handle the business side. And to sing authentically, they must sing in Spanish,” he explained.

Trujillo’s Vision

The driving force behind this initiative is Trujillo, recognized by the university as the pioneer of mariachi education in Colorado. The current degree program is the culmination of a decade-long effort that grew out of earlier projects he initiated. Trujillo played a vital role in promoting mariachi instruction at MSU Denver, helping to establish the Mariachi Correcaminos student ensemble and the Southwest Mariachi Festival.

“This event connected mariachi groups from across the region with high school and college educators. Experienced maestros from top ensembles—like José Hernández of El Sol de México—came to MSU Denver to teach workshops during different editions of the festival,” Trujillo recalls. The bachelor’s program is thus the natural academic evolution of those efforts.

Mariachi Arrives in Colorado’s University Classrooms

El Mariachi llega a las aulas universitarias de Colorado

IN GUADALAJARA | Philip Ficsor with Colorado students and young Mexican musicians.

Interest Beyond Colorado

The impact of the new program, which began in mid-August with its first cohort of freshmen, has sparked interest beyond Colorado’s borders. “From the start, we’ve received inquiries from across the U.S. and Mexico,” says Trujillo. Recently, a delegation of professors and students visited Guadalajara, where Jalisco’s Ministry of Culture organized workshops for the young mariachi students.

“It was an intense experience. Every day, buses arrived with dozens of students who shared their natural talent and passion for this music. We learned how they teach mariachi there, and they learned from us. We showed them our technique, and they showed us their passionate, authentic way of performing,” he explained.

Trujillo also witnessed a renewed enthusiasm for mariachi among Mexican youth. “We saw that mariachi remains Mexico’s true cultural heritage. Parents want their children to learn it, and young people, with astonishing natural talent, sing and play effortlessly. Even without formal training, they harmonize instinctively. We simply organized them into first, second, and third voices—and they did it flawlessly. It was a powerful lesson,” he admitted emotionally.

The Dream

This degree also aims to address the shortage of trained mariachi teachers in public schools. “School districts call us constantly asking for instructors. Many of our students start teaching even before finishing their certification because the demand is so high,” says Trujillo. The long-term vision includes developing specialists in pedagogy, research, and performance.

“In this way, the university hopes not only to keep the tradition alive but also to open new professional opportunities. Young musicians who came through MSU Denver’s mariachi program and performed with Mariachi Correcaminos are now working in Los Angeles with top professional mariachis, some even performing with sports teams or major entertainment shows.”

With the Support of Ficsor

Trujillo has not been alone in this effort. Professor Philip Ficsor, a classical violinist with a doctorate and European training, has played a key role in strengthening the program. Though he had no roots in mariachi tradition, he recognized students’ growing interest and decided to learn from scratch. “I had to catch up quickly and learn from them. I discovered that mariachi is as universal as any folk music, with a unique flavor that enriches academia,” Ficsor explains.

He fell in love with the genre in 2021 when he taught his first class at MSU Denver. “When I arrived here, I heard about the mariachi work being done and took a class myself. Since then, I’ve studied its techniques, even taking lessons from members of renowned groups like Mariachi Cobre.” Ficsor’s experience—as an American with Hungarian roots—shows how mariachi can unite cultures and expand horizons, reinforcing the inclusive spirit of this program.