Alex Treviño II's journey from a small-town violinist to performing with the Grammy-winning Mariachi Los Camperos represents the beautiful intersection of family legacy, personal determination, and cultural heritage. In a recent conversation, Alex shared insights into his remarkable path that began long before he was born – with his parents meeting in their high school mariachi class.
Unlike many musicians who come from musical families, Alex's story is uniquely steeped in mariachi tradition from conception. Both his parents were violinists in the same mariachi group, creating what would become a multi-generational family of violinists. This foundation provided Alex with an immersive musical environment, though interestingly, he admits to initially resisting mariachi music as a child despite being constantly surrounded by it.
Alex's formal musical journey began with piano lessons at age five, followed by violin around age seven. His father, a respected mariachi musician and educator, ensured Alex received proper classical training before introducing him to mariachi. This solid foundation would later prove invaluable, though Alex candidly shares there were moments he wanted to quit. "I remember just one day crying a lot and I was like, 'You know what, I can't do this, I quit, I don't want to ever touch the violin,'" he recalls. These vulnerable admissions highlight the universal struggles many young musicians face, regardless of their eventual success.
The turning point in Alex's relationship with mariachi came during his freshman year of high school when he saw friends embracing the genre. This peer influence, combined with his family legacy, finally clicked. His subsequent journey through the prestigious Mariachi Aztlán at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) refined his skills and eventually prepared him for professional opportunities. What began as resistance transformed into deep passion and purpose.
Another fascinating aspect of Alex's story is his parallel journey of personal transformation through health and fitness. During the pandemic, he embarked on a significant weight loss journey, beginning with simple walks around his neighborhood that progressively evolved into running and weight training. This physical transformation mirrored his musical development – both requiring discipline, consistency, and a willingness to pursue incremental progress. His passion for fitness even influenced his younger brother, whom Alex introduced to weight lifting, demonstrating how personal growth often creates ripple effects in those around us.
Perhaps most inspiring is Alex's perspective on obtaining his dream position with Mariachi Los Camperos. When offered the opportunity while still completing his music education degree, the group's leadership encouraged him to finish his education first – no shortcuts. This respect for his personal development speaks volumes about the values within the mariachi community and reinforced Alex's commitment to balancing performance with education.
Today, Alex represents a new generation of mariachi musicians who honor tradition while embracing contemporary approaches to music and career development. His advice to aspiring musicians reflects this balanced perspective: "Stay humble and always have the drive and desire to learn more." He emphasizes the importance of connections, viewing mariachi as fundamentally about human connection – whether celebrating joyous occasions or providing comfort during difficult moments.
Alex Treviño II's story reminds us that musical journeys rarely follow straight lines. His path – with its struggles, moments of resistance, and eventual triumph – offers encouragement to anyone pursuing their passion while honoring their heritage. From photoshopping hims