Mariachi Tesoro de Tucson

History

ounded in 2006 as a community youth group under the direction of Jaime Valenzuela, Mariachi Tesoro participated in events that bolstered cultural heritage and traditions of mariachi throughout the city of Tucson and beyond. The original members comprised of students at Davis Elementary and members of Mariachi Las Aguilitas, under the direction of Dr. Alfredo Valenzuela. The group went inactive in 2013 and since January of 2019 has been newly invigorated by previous members alongside hand-selected members in a collectively managed effort.

Specialties

Mariachi Tesoro's vision is to promote Mexican & Mexican-American culture in Tucson and the southwestern region of the United States at the highest level. The current incarnation of Mariachi Tesoro contains members with experience at the most upper echelons in performance and educational spheres including; Mariachi Divas, Mariachi Los Camperos, Mariachi Cobre, and Mariachi Sol de Mexico. Every member plays an active role as cultural anchors and leadership for younger generations in their community. Mariachi Tesoro's members have substantial experience as educators, holding teaching positions in Tucson as well as teaching at international mariachi conferences across the Southwestern United States. They are a testament to the use of the traditional art form of mariachi as a vehicle towards higher education. Mariachi Tesoro captivates audiences with energetic performances, avante-garde arrangements, as well as renditions of classic mariachi repertoire.