Alex Treviño's first encounter with mariachi wasn't love at first sight—it was a reluctant step taken at his mother's insistence during his sophomore year of high school. Today, as the head mariachi director at McAllen High School and a performer with Grammy-nominated Mariachi Los Arreros del Valle, he laughs about that initial resistance. "I didn't want to join," he recalls, "but after one competition, I was hooked."
This transformation from reluctance to passion frames Treviño's remarkable 25-year journey through mariachi performance and education. From his early days with UTPA's mariachi program to co-founding Mariachi Los Arrieros del Valle after gaining professional experience in San Antonio, Treviño's path reveals the depth and breadth of mariachi culture in South Texas. Most recently, he helped orchestrate a groundbreaking performance at the Hollywood Bowl, where three Valley school mariachi programs (including his own) performed alongside Los Arrieros—the first time student groups have been featured so prominently at the prestigious venue.
Perhaps most compelling is Treviño's 17-year mission to rebuild McAllen High's mariachi program from nearly nothing. Beginning as just an after-school activity with minimal support, the program now stands as a fully endorsed class with an expanding middle school initiative. This growth didn't come easily; it required changing perceptions, recruiting students without established feeder programs, and balancing professional performances with educational responsibilities. His persistence illustrates the challenges mariachi educators face nationwide and offers a blueprint for success through community building and unwavering commitment.
The conversation takes a touching turn when Treviño's discusses how all three of his children embraced mariachi, creating a unique family legacy. "The legacy we leave behind is our kids," he reflects, noting how teaching his own children through his program helped balance the time demands of his profession with family life. This personal dimension highlights how mariachi creates connections across generations and communities.
Listen now to discover how passion, persistence, and family have shaped one educator's quest to elevate mariachi education in the Rio Grande Valley—and what his journey reveals about the bright future of this beloved musical tradition.