Music is the language of the soul. Mariachi is the kinship of Mexico. Every note uncuerdo entrasvidas *** memory in our lives. In the past, these kids never lived to *** future, they’re helping shape directly with their hands. Mariachi Mexico and Lapierre. Since the 18th century, once echoing through the streets of Jalisco with Mariachi Vargas detecaliran and transcending to cultural legends we grew up with like Vicente Fernandez. Now close to 130 years later, alive in the hands of *** new generation. My grandfather specifically and his sister, they used to sing all over Mexico. My mom’s side of the family were actually singers they never really like you know got any opportunities to be like *** singer so. Now that I have the opportunity I’m really proud and I’m really happy that I could. Mariachi Los Claveles is one of the few youth nonprofits in Sacramento keeping mariachi tradition alive. *** few parents, uh, we got together and we’re talking about doing this because there’s *** mariachi program at school, but, uh, some. But some of the times we found out that they were limited in where they could perform, so we opted to one of the ideas was to uh set it up as *** nonprofit organization. So that’s how it started not tied to *** school but powered by the families and young musicians. We all come from different places. Some of us are younger, some of us are older. Being with my friends and they have the same passion of music helps me not like drift off with some like the bad crowd and end up in *** place that I don’t wanna be. In every note they’re carrying stories from parents and grandparents to the next generation and as Hispanic Heritage Month honors the past, these young musicians prove that something that’s in us. Can’t be lost against time. I lost my grandfather 87 or 8 years back, and I just, I feel like with the music I feel like *** part of him is still always with me. Like it’s him just, you know, his blood inside. And woodland Benz and Cortez KCR 3 News.
Music is the language of the soul. Mariachi is the kinship of Mexico. Every note uncuerdo entrasvidas *** memory in our lives. In the past, these kids never lived to *** future, they’re helping shape directly with their hands. Mariachi Mexico and Lapierre. Since the 18th century, once echoing through the streets of Jalisco with Mariachi Vargas detecaliran and transcending to cultural legends we grew up with like Vicente Fernandez. Now close to 130 years later, alive in the hands of *** new generation. My grandfather specifically and his sister, they used to sing all over Mexico. My mom’s side of the family were actually singers they never really like you know got any opportunities to be like *** singer so. Now that I have the opportunity I’m really proud and I’m really happy that I could. Mariachi Los Claveles is one of the few youth nonprofits in Sacramento keeping mariachi tradition alive. *** few parents, uh, we got together and we’re talking about doing this because there’s *** mariachi program at school, but, uh, some. But some of the times we found out that they were limited in where they could perform, so we opted to one of the ideas was to uh set it up as *** nonprofit organization. So that’s how it started not tied to *** school but powered by the families and young musicians. We all come from different places. Some of us are younger, some of us are older. Being with my friends and they have the same passion of music helps me not like drift off with some like the bad crowd and end up in *** place that I don’t wanna be. In every note they’re carrying stories from parents and grandparents to the next generation and as Hispanic Heritage Month honors the past, these young musicians prove that something that’s in us. Can’t be lost against time. I lost my grandfather 87 or 8 years back, and I just, I feel like with the music I feel like *** part of him is still always with me. Like it’s him just, you know, his blood inside. And woodland Benz and Cortez KCR 3 News.
Sacramento youth preserve mariachi tradition through nonprofit
Updated: 7:28 PM PDT Oct 9, 2025
Mariachi Los Claveles, a nonprofit organization in Sacramento, is dedicated to preserving the cultural heritage of mariachi music by empowering young musicians to connect with their roots and shape their future. Mariachi, a music art form deeply rooted in Mexican culture, started in the late 18th century throughout the streets of Jalisco. “My grandfather specifically, and his sister, they used to sing all over Mexico,” said Jimena Izquierdo, a 12th-grade student involved in the program.Mariachi Los Claveles is one of the few youth nonprofits in Sacramento keeping the mariachi tradition alive.Juan Esparza, the program director, explained the origins of the nonprofit, saying, “Parents, we got together, and we’re talking about doing this because there’s a mariachi program at school, but we found out that they were limited in where they could perform. So we opted to one of the ideas was to set it up as a nonprofit organization. So that’s how it started.”The organization has been going on for 10 months. They receive funds through fundraising efforts by the students themselves and their families through food drives and Mother’s Day serenades. These allowed them to purchase suits to compete in local competitions. Daniel Estrella, a 10th-grade participant, highlighted the diversity within the group. “We all come from different places. Some of us are younger, some of us are older,” Estrella said.Fernando Esparza, an 8th-grade student, expressed the positive impact of the program.”Being with my friends and they have the same passion of music as me. Not like, drift off with some, like, the bad crowd and end up in place. I don’t want to be,” Esparza said.The nonprofit is currently in search of a permanent place to hold its practices, as the group usually bounces from one place to another. As Hispanic Heritage Month honors the past, these young musicians prove that the essence of mariachi music cannot be lost against time. Ximena Guzman, a 10th-grade student, shared her family’s musical background, saying, “My mom’s side of the family were actually singers. They never really, like, you know, got any opportunities to be like a singer. So now that I have the opportunity, I’m really proud and I’m really happy that I could.”This story was produced as part of our Project CommUNITY special for Hispanic Heritage Month. See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
Mariachi Los Claveles, a nonprofit organization in Sacramento, is dedicated to preserving the cultural heritage of mariachi music by empowering young musicians to connect with their roots and shape their future.
Mariachi, a music art form deeply rooted in Mexican culture, started in the late 18th century throughout the streets of Jalisco.
“My grandfather specifically, and his sister, they used to sing all over Mexico,” said Jimena Izquierdo, a 12th-grade student involved in the program.
Mariachi Los Claveles is one of the few youth nonprofits in Sacramento keeping the mariachi tradition alive.
Juan Esparza, the program director, explained the origins of the nonprofit, saying, “Parents, we got together, and we’re talking about doing this because there’s a mariachi program at school, but we found out that they were limited in where they could perform. So we opted to one of the ideas was to set it up as a nonprofit organization. So that’s how it started.”
The organization has been going on for 10 months. They receive funds through fundraising efforts by the students themselves and their families through food drives and Mother’s Day serenades. These allowed them to purchase suits to compete in local competitions.
Daniel Estrella, a 10th-grade participant, highlighted the diversity within the group.
“We all come from different places. Some of us are younger, some of us are older,” Estrella said.
Fernando Esparza, an 8th-grade student, expressed the positive impact of the program.
“Being with my friends and they have the same passion of music as me. Not like, drift off with some, like, the bad crowd and end up in place. I don’t want to be,” Esparza said.
The nonprofit is currently in search of a permanent place to hold its practices, as the group usually bounces from one place to another.
As Hispanic Heritage Month honors the past, these young musicians prove that the essence of mariachi music cannot be lost against time.
Ximena Guzman, a 10th-grade student, shared her family’s musical background, saying, “My mom’s side of the family were actually singers. They never really, like, you know, got any opportunities to be like a singer. So now that I have the opportunity, I’m really proud and I’m really happy that I could.”
This story was produced as part of our Project CommUNITY special for Hispanic Heritage Month.
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel