The melodic sound of violins, guitars, basses, vihuelas (a 5-string guitar), and trumpets filled the auditorium at El Museo del Barrio and the bright colors of the dancer’s skirts lifted already high spirits. The first Christmas concert by the Mariachi Academy of New York was an homage to a culture that almost everyone in the auditorium has left behind but is committed to keeping alive.

Children rehearse for the benefit at the Mariachi Academy of New York's headquarters inside the St. Paul School. Photo by Karla Zabludovsky/Northattan

“I was born here and I speak English, but when I play the music I feel proud to be Mexican,” said Stephany, 10, as she grazed her fingers over her violin. Her parents immigrated to New York 12 years ago from Oaxaca, Mexico.

Mariachi culture and music, which originated in Mexico’s central-western state of Jalisco in the 19th century, has found a new home in Spanish Harlem. It’s a natural setting for the colorful and dramatic music; the neighborhood’s growing population of Mexican immigrants call it El Barrio.

Spearheading its growth in the area is the Mariachi Academy of New York, a nonprofit corporation established in 2002. From a first-year enrollment of 40 students, the academy has grown to accommodate 120 students this year, with a lengthy wait list.  The students range from 7 to 17 years of age.

Children learn to read musical notes, play instruments and sing. Photo by Karla Zabludovsky/Northattan

“We focus on the kids because they are the ones that are most curious about understanding the culture,” says 35-year-old Ramon Ponce, the academy’s director, who has been a mariachi singer since age 5. “They are drawn to the music, the outfits, the big instruments.” Twice weekly, Ponce also leads free, two-hour classes at St. Paul School, the academy’s headquarters in East Harlem. Mondays are devoted to playing the instruments while Wednesdays are reserved for the study of musical theory.

Ponce is the fourth generation in his family to devote his life to mariachi music. His grandfather, father, uncles, brothers, and nephews are all mariachi singers. Mariachi culture has spread like a happy virus amongst the Ponce family. Such is his passion for music that, Ponce says, those who know him think that “instead of blood, I have musical notes running through my veins.”

A typical Mexican dancer, called an "adelita", takes the stage during the Benefit. Photo by Karla Zabludovsky/Northattan

Before opening the academy in El Barrio, Ponce worked full time with  Mariachi Real de Mexico, a musical ensemble he founded with his father, Ramon Ponce Sr. Considered the ambassador of mariachi music in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, Mariachi Real de Mexico has played at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Madison Square Garden and Radio City Music Hall, among others.

While the students sing during one of the biweekly rehearsals, their parents sit in the back of the room, observing. Basi Torralba is one of them. She came to New York from Mexico 12 years ago, and had her daughter, Stephany, shortly after. “It’s fine that she likes American culture, but she has to understand where I’m from, where her father is from. She has to understand her roots, her blood,” says Torralba.

There is consensus among the parents: Mariachi music is a way for their children to keep their Mexican heritage alive. “Mexican music, every word of every song, speaks of our roots. I don’t want my daughter to forget her Mexican roots,” explains Janet, a Mexican emigre whose daughter was born in New York. Mariachi lyrics often speak about love, betrayal, death and revolution. Almost always, they are founded on the culture of machismo. The dramatic flair of the music is akin to that of popular television soap operas in the country.

The children also see mariachi music as a means to understanding their parents’ culture. “Do I feel Mexican? I feel like I’m only halfway there,” says Lupita Cruz, 11, with a laugh. “The classes are fun and the music comes from the culture where our parents are from,” explains Lupita , who is learning to play the violin. Her cousin, Victoria, 12, agrees. “I am learning more about where I come from.”

MANY studens, most of them of Mexican heritage, sing and play mariachi music. Photo by Karla Zabludovsky/Northattan

Some parents are hoping that what is today a hobby will one day become a profitable career. “In the future, she could be a famous artist. I want her to be well-known,” said Lucero, whose 8-year-old daughter is learning to play the violin at the mariachi academy. Given the curriculum, this might not be a far-fetched dream. “They teach the kids to read music so that they aren’t limited to playing mariachi songs,” said Torralba.

The children are excited, giggling as they compare their instruments with one another when Ponce arrives. For those whose passion for mariachi music becomes a way of life, there is a niche, and potentially, a bright future. Southwestern College, located in Chula Vista, California, has begun offering the United State’s first professional certification in mariachi music. The director of the mariachi program at Southwestern and author of Virtuoso Mariachi, Dr. Jeff Nevin, is in the process of designing the world’s first associate degree in mariachi music.

Nevertheless, mothers prod their children to do their homework before rehearsals start, making sure that schoolwork remains a priority. They are aware that it is unlikely their offspring will be able to make a living by playing in a mariachi band.

Mariachis and adelitas give the audience a taste of Mexican culture at El Museo's Heckscher Theater. Photo by Karla Zabludovsky/Northattan

Friday’s concert was Ponce’s idea, born out of his goal of raising $100,000 in the next year to sustain the academy’s growth, ensure that classes remain free, and establish a scholarship fund for students who cannot afford to buy their own instruments and the traditional traje de charro, the official mariachi attire.

As a result of the poor economy, MANY has lost some the support of a number of donors. The Friday benefit concert was one of a number of events that Ponce is counting on to make up for this loss.

The 400 people who attended were serenaded with mariachi classics like “Cielito lindo,” “Son de la negra,” “Viva Mexico” and “La Bamba.” The concert was directed by Rafael Palomar, former member of the renowned band Mariachi Vargas.