Flyer: Mariachi Academy of Connecticut 2017 Summer Experience
DistributorDistributed by
Mariachi Mexico Antiguo
Date2017
MediumPaper
ClassificationsInformation Artifacts
Credit LineConnecticut Cultural Heritage Arts Program collections
DescriptionEphemera relating to Mariachi Mexico Antiguo and the mariachi Academy of Connecticut.
promotiopnal flyer for the Mariachi Academy of Connecticut 2017 Summer Experience.
promotiopnal flyer for the Mariachi Academy of Connecticut 2017 Summer Experience.
Object number2015.196.26.5
CopyrightIn Copyright
NotesSubject Note: The Mariachi Academy of New England, active from 2016-2020, taught music related to Mexican mariachi – a range of instruments, vocal techniques, and songs. Several musicians from Mariachi Mexico Antiguo in Las Vegas had visited Connecticut several times to teach mariachi music at a new academy for young students, developed in Wallingford’s Mexican community by Evangeline Mendoza. The success of this venture, and the founder’s retirement, led members of the group to move to Connecticut from Las Vegas in 2016 to lead the school and expand performances. The Academy established five additional schools, known collectively as Mariachi Academy of New England, in Hartford, Bridgeport, New Haven, Meriden, and New Britain. Several performing ensembles comprised of the students performed across Connecticut and the region. The music school continues at the Spanish Community of Wallingford, and includes traditional Mexican folkloric dance. Students present regular concerts and perform at community events.Biographical Note: Mariachi Mexico Antiguo was a group of 8-14 men and women celebrated for its vibrant sound and respectful focus on the heritage of the mariachi genre. Their instrumentation included guitar, guitarrón, harp, violin, trumpet, and vocals. Established in 2010 by former and current students of local music schools in the Las Vegas area, Mariachi Mexico Antiguo learned the tradition from Jesus “Chuy” Guzman and members of Los Camperos de Nati Cano. As ambassadors of mariachi, the group traveled to Arizona, California, New Mexico, Utah, New York, Massachusetts, Colorado, Washington, Wyoming and Connecticut. Mariachi Mexico Antiguo has worked with renowned artists such as Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan, José Hernandez and his Mariachi Sol de Mexico, members of Los Camperos de Nati Cano. They also accompanied artists such as Beatriz Adriana, Graciela Beltran, Gildardo Alvarez, Juan Valentin, Flor de Toloache, and Placido Domingo. Members of the group had visited Connecticut several times to teach mariachi music at a new academy for young students, developed in Wallingford’s Mexican community by Evangeline Mendoza. The success of this venture, and the founder’s retirement, led twelve musicians from the group to move to Connecticut from Las Vegas in 2016 to lead the school and expand performances. Mariachi Mexico Antiguo became well known for its joyous and authentic performances in festival, concert, church, and community settings, and they established five additional academies, known collectively as Mariachi Academy of New England, in Hartford, Bridgeport, New Haven, Meriden, and New Britain. The group won two Mexican Music Awards in NYC: Best Mariachi in the Tri-State Area and Best Mariachi in the East Coast. They performed to audiences of thousands at the 2018 Lowell Folk Festival and the 2019 Big E in Massachusetts, and were headliners for CCHAP’s annual Dia de los Muertos community celebration since 2018. Mariachi Mexico Antiguo produced a CD of their music. Group leader Rodbel Virula mentored guitarron student Citlalli Hernandez in the Southern New England Traditional Arts Program in 2018. Several members of the group moved back to Las Vegas in 2025, but others continue to live and teach in Connecticut.
Additional audio, video, and photographic materials exist in the archive relating to these artists.
Cataloging Note: This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services MA-245929-OMS-20.
On View
Not on view
Mariachi Mexico Antiguo
2017 June 2
Mariachi Mexico Antiguo
2018 March 10
Jampa Tsondue
2018 March 10
2000 October 14