Las Vegas Cultivates Future Mariachi Teachers with New UNLV Minor

Axel Rodríguez Olivas takes the stage with his violin, transforming his initial nerves into vibrant mariachi music. The sound of violins, trumpets, and the guitarrón fills the room, accompanied by a tenor singing with passion. Rodríguez Olivas, in his traditional “traje charro,” is poised to be the first student to earn a minor in mariachi from UNLV, one of the few universities in the nation to offer this specialty.

In a community where Latinos make up over a third of the population, mariachi has surged in popularity within schools, leading to a shortage of qualified teachers. To combat this, the Clark County School District (CCSD) has created a training program aimed at preparing students to educate others in the genre. With around 6,000 students involved in one of the largest mariachi programs in the U.S., the initiative seeks to ensure the continued appreciation and instruction of this cultural music form.