The after-school music academy Rosie's House offers free music classes and instruments to low-income youth. They are also training the next generation of mariachi musicians.
Combining a lively mix of violin, trumpet, guitar, and vocals, the young performers in the three mariachi ensembles from Rosie's House produce a full, passionate sound whether they're playing heartfelt corrido or a fast-paced polka. Students range in age from 5 to 18 at the academy, which offers classes in brass, woodwind, and string instruments, as well as choir. The academy also offers mariachi ensemble opportunities for beginning, intermediate, and advanced students. It's an impressive bunch: The Advanced Mariachi Ensemble performed recently at both the Tucson International Mariachi Conference and the Governor's Arts Awards.