Hernandez Mariachi Heritage Society

The mission of Mariachi Heritage Society is to be the pillar in the community that supports an enriching cultural experience and fills a critical gap in local schools’ after-school programs by providing mariachi music education to children.

José Hernàndez foresaw that the future of mariachi lies in the hands of our precious youth. In 1991, he established the Mariachi Heritage Society, a 501c3 nonprofit organization, to provide a forum for young people to explore mariachi music and experience the value it can bring to developing their minds and hearts.

Under the direction of Jóse Hernàndez, the Mariachi Heritage Society provides quality instruction in violin, guitar, trumpet, vihuela, guitarrón, voice, and ballet folklorico.

In addition to providing free or low-cost instruction to students ages 7 to 18, the Hernandez Mariachi Heritage Society works to increase performance and teaching opportunities for professional mariachi musicians and to create culturally enriching experiences for local audiences.

Over the past 35 years, the Mariachi Heritage Society has played an integral role in​ after-school programs across 15 school districts in California, serving more than 300,000 students.
Many of those students are currently world-class musicians or at the top level of their professions of choice.

The Hernandez Mariachi Heritage Society bridges a critical gap in cultural arts education for youth. While school music budgets face persistent cuts, demand for culturally responsive programming continues to skyrocket. Mariachi music is more than an art form; it is a vital connection to heritage that improves academic focus, teamwork, and cultural pride among students. However, resource limitations currently restrict our ability to meet the community's deep interest and scale our impact.

To sustain our momentum and equitably expand our reach across our regional school networks, we face three critical funding priorities:
Instructional Capacity & Instruments: Our after-school instructional program requires additional certified music instructors to reduce student waitlists and maintain safe teacher-to-student ratios. Also we must acquire student-grade instruments (violins, trumpets, vihuelas, and guitarróns) to ensure that a student's economic background never limits their access to music education.

Summer Institute Expansion: Our intensive summer workshop is a cornerstone of student development. Funding is urgently required to secure accessible local performance venues, procure instructional supplies, offer robust student scholarships, and bring in elite master-class guest artists and speakers to inspire the next generation of musicians.

Curriculum Standardization: To ensure long-term educational excellence, we need capital to redesign, modernize, and standardize a rigorous mariachi curriculum used across both our after-school networks and summer modules.

Orange County, Los Angeles County

Our program is much more than music education; it is the bridge to instill the identity of a harmonious heritage within our children, while simultaneously connecting generations, and preserving the stories of our ancestors.

Allowing them to represent the very best of our culture and their families.
This strong sense of identity empowers them to lead lives marked by purpose, resilience, and achievement.

Dear Friends, Partners, and Community Members,
I was born in Mexicali, México, and when I was 4 years old my family brought my siblings and I to the United States , settling in the projects of ELA. Not knowing one word of English I entered the public school system, at 10 I was asked to join the band program and handed a trumpet, that trumpet changed my life.
Early on in my career as a musician I knew I wanted to help other students and give back to the community with the one thing I knew best, music, that is why in 1991 I decided to form the Mariachi Heritage Society.
At Hernandez Mariachi Heritage Society, we believe that music is not just an extracurricular activity; it is a vital bridge to culture, community, and personal growth. I am incredibly proud to highlight our After-School Mariachi Music Instruction Program, an initiative that brings the vibrant traditions of mariachi directly to our local youth.

When you walk into one of our practice rooms, you do not just hear music—you hear the sound of young people finding their voices, celebrating their identity, and building a brighter future. This work is only possible because of your shared belief in our mission. Thank you for investing in our youth, our culture, and our community.