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Storytelling sounds

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While performing with her fellow youth mariachi members, Ariana Quiñonez remembers a very humbling, eye-opening experience that taught her the true power of music.

The group was asked to play for an elderly woman — an act of charity for a dying mariachi fan, barely able to keep her eyes open. That is, until the music began to fill the room as well as the woman’s soul.

“We crammed into her little house and played a few happy songs for her,” said Ariana. “And little by little, she began to wake up with the music. By the end of the performance, her foot was tapping lightly and a smile played on her lips. That experience only further reaffirmed for me what I already knew — music is a part of each one of us. It connects us to each other; it brings us life.”

And so the Mariachi Juvenil de Aztlán brings that connection, giving life to the vital, enchanting, even exciting form of music — known for its mix of violins, trumpets, a vihuela and guitarrón and said to be rooted in the 19th century Mexican state of Jalisco.

To help those connections continue, the Kern County Youth Mariachi Foundation (KCYMF) will hold its second annual Summer Concert — featuring the 13-member youth mariachi performing group — on Aug. 17, a fun-filled event de musica y comida open to the community. The concert and barbecue dinner is a benefit for the group’s scholarship fund, competition fees and uniforms.

In fact, it’s one of the many activities KCYMF sponsors throughout the community.

The KCYMF is a private, non-profit corporation founded in 1998 by educators, social workers and other community members whose passion was to promote and preserve the art and tradition of mariachi.

“Of those people, none of them remain on the board, but many continue to support the program,” said KCYMF President Blodgie Rodriguez.

Rodriguez — also a busy Realtor in Bakersfield — became involved in the foundation because she wanted to play a more active role in the life of one her younger cousins, who was about 12 at the time. That cousin is now 24.

“I stay involved because I am insane!” she joked. “Actually, I am committed to seeing that the program somehow finds stability in our community, whether we end up closing the doors or collaborating with another non-profit. I have seen first hand the difference that this program makes in the life of the students, when we have proper funding and interest.”

KCYMF Parent Representative Lupe Quiñonez knows all too well what a difference the foundation has made for her daughter, Ariana, 17, who is now is a senior member, but was only 10 when she joined the mariachi group. The current age range for Mariachi Juvenil de Aztlán is 11 to 19 with Lupe Quiñonez’s other daughter and Ariana’s little sister, Elisa, as the youngest member.

“I have seen my quiet, smart little girl become a talented young lady — who although may have a quiet personality, has developed skills to perform and address large audiences and adults with confidence,” said this proud mother about her daughter, Ariana.

This transformation is evident when speaking to Ariana, who says when she performs she feels “bold and fearless.”

“On stage, we are performers, we live to bring joy. For that brief time, our problems of the world don’t exist — we aren’t shy or scared, we are there for the single purpose of making music and pleasing the audience!” Ariana said.

She also added that while music in itself is timeless, mariachi has a beauty of its own that is unique to the spirit of Mexico. Mariachi tells a story.

“And it is a message that reaches across the boundaries of generations and cultures,” said Ariana.

Mariachi Juvenil de Aztlán also performs outside of Kern County. In fact, they recently played at the Radio Bilingue sponsored “Viva El Mariachi!” Festival in Fresno. There, they received some instruction from Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano and Mariachi Imperial de Mexico.

“In the past, they have also attended various universities throughout the state on field trips,” Rodriguez said.

The KCYMF plans to continue the program as long as there is interested exhibited by the students and the community. They will start advertising for new members in August. They will also continue their scholarship program for its members.

To qualify for one of the group’s scholarships, the high school graduate must have participated in the mariachi program for a minimum of four years without interruption, according to Rodriguez.

Also, the applicant must attend a college or university after high school graduation, she said.

When establishing the scholarship criteria, the foundation had students like Josh Tehnet in mind.

Josh not only participates in the youth mariachi, he also plays two different sports and keeps up good grades while doing it.

How does he handle his workload? Time management, according to Josh.

“I work hard on weekends in order to get ahead and stay current with my studies,” he said. “Although my academics are my primary focus, mariachis and my sports activities are rewarding tasks, and I enjoy participating in them thoroughly.”

Though it’s a lot of hard work as well as a lot of juggling, Josh — an accomplished trumpet player — says he wouldn’t change a thing.

Being a part of the KCYMF has taught Josh lessons in music, academics and friendships, he said.

Along the way, he’s been able to pass on those lessons to others, just as they were passed on to him — all while making the cultural connection that comes by playing in the mariachi group.

“My intentions are to continue along this path through college and beyond,” Josh said.

Continuing on, just as the art of mariachi does through these local youths — the next generation of the genre.