Herencia Mariachi cultivates a new generation of players in the IE

When Olivia Nunez expressed an interest in learning to play mariachi, her father, Eddie Nunez, wholeheartedly embraced her dream. He drove her from their home in Norco, California, to a mariachi school in Anaheim, and later even farther to San Juan Capistrano. 

But as he watched Olivia thrive, Eddie began to see something more—a cultural gap in their own community. The Inland Empire, rich in heritage but lacking local access to mariachi education, needed a space where children and youth could connect with this vibrant tradition. That realization sparked a new mission: to bring mariachi home. 

In 2015, Eddie Nunez, along with a group of dedicated parents, founded the nonprofit Herencia Mariachi Academy. The journey began humbly, in the backyard of a parent who generously opened their home to welcome the first group of students. It was a challenging time—they didn’t have the funds to sustain the project. “We would all pitch in just to pay our instructors,” Eddie Nunez recalled. 

What began with just 20 students quickly grew beyond expectations. Within a few months, the number of students outgrew the original space, prompting the academy to relocate to a dedicated studio at 430 River Rd. #C in the city of Corona, where they continue to teach today. 

Supporting the community through fundraising efforts

Despite their growing impact, the academy continues to face financial challenges. While they occasionally receive small grants, these are few and far between, and often, it doesn’teven qualify. Much of the financial burden falls on fundraising efforts led by dedicated parents and community supporters. Their biggest boost comes from a large annual concert held each September, which helps keep the doors open. But as a nonprofit, sustaining the program remains a constant trial. 

“Our tuition is very low. It's to the minimum […] that's why we decided to do a nonprofit, because we wanted to include parents that don't have the means to have or pay for their kids to attend a music school,” he explained. 

He’s driven by a powerful purpose—to give kids the opportunities he didn’t have. Growing up, his parents worked tirelessly in the fields as agricultural laborers, but their hard work couldn’t stretch far enough to afford music classes or extracurriculars. “We did whatever was free,” he recalls. Sports were his only option, not because of passion at first, but because they didn’t require any extra expense. 

Nunez also indicated that no family will be turned away due to a lack of financial resources. “They could join the group, but we're going [to] have to put you to work when it comes to time to volunteer,” he said. “We have that […] in order for this organization to function. We need parents to volunteer and help us with our events.” 

He reflects on how quickly young people can be drawn into negative environments when they lack access to positive ones. That’s why he’s made it his mission to open doors for the next generation. By keeping prices low and programs accessible, he aims to provide safe spaces where children and youth can thrive, discover their talents and embrace their heritage. 

The house of numerous dreams 

The academy currently welcomes around 90 students, but since its founding, it has nurtured the musical journeys of over 550 participants. Under the leadership of Maestro Rafael Palomar—who spent 25 years with the legendary Mariachi Vargas as a vocalist and guitarist—the school offers a structured, four-level program: Beginners I, Beginners II, Intermediate and Advanced. 

The advanced class often performs at events to help support the academy’s nonprofit mission. Still, the organization remains true to Maestro Palomar’s philosophy: every pupil—no matter their skill level—deserves a chance to shine on stage, especially during the academy’s annual summer concert. 

Students can enroll in mariachi classes focused on guitar, guitarrón, vihuela, trumpet or violin. Beginners are grouped by instrument, with dedicated instructors guiding them through the fundamentals. A core part of the curriculum is music literacy—participants learn to read music before progressing to performance skills. 

This foundation ensures that they're not just learning mariachi but gaining a versatile musical education. The goal is not only to play but to perform—with pride, precision, and corazón.

Another project the organization takes pride in is its partnership with Perris Elementary School District and Hemet Unified School District to offer after-school mariachi programs. Overseen by Maestro Palomar and joined by advanced students from the original school—now hired as instructors—The program aims to share the passion for mariachi with a broader community.

The vision behind the academy goes far beyond music—it’s a pathway to higher education and long-term opportunity. His goal is clear: to bring young students into the program and encourage them to pursue a college education. And it's working. So far, several alumni have attended community colleges and transferred to different University of California campuses. 

“To me, that's a big accomplishment. You saw them growing up. You saw them go through your program. You're aware that they're in college, they're graduating and now they're out there [in] the world doing something positive. […] I think that's very important,” he said. 

Watching them take that leap fills him with pride. Each year, he organizes a special dinner for graduating seniors, their families, board members and local officials. It’s a heartfelt celebration that highlights how far the students have come and how deeply the program believes in them. 

Now, he’s working on the next step: building a small scholarship fund to ensure that financial barriers don’t stand in the way of the student’s dreams. 

“Mariachi music is everywhere[…] being Hispanic or Latina or Latino, you hear that music. You feel pride because you're part of it,” he said. 

A performance by Herencia Mariachi is more than just a showcase of musical talent—it’s a celebration of identity and cultural pride. The group’s dedication to preserving tradition resonates across generations, inspiring children, teenagers and their families to reconnect with their roots. 

Those who wish to support Herencia Mariachi’s efforts to promote cultural heritage can contribute with donations.