Our Story

We are a Connecticut based music program focused on mariachi education and appreciation. 
    Within the Spanish Community of Wallingford, there is a music school. The Mariachi Academy of Connecticut was founded in Wallingford, CT in 2008 by Evangeline Mendoza Bourgeois. In 2010, the school was invited to come under the auspices of the Spanish Community of Wallingford. It has grown to a capacity of fifty students.
    The Mariachi Academy of Connecticut  provides training in music to children beginning at the age of 7.  Students receive basic music instruction and theory by singing songs in Spanish and learning to play musical instruments required for mariachi music.  Students begin by singing traditional Mexican folk music and learning basic rhythm. As they progress, students choose one of six instruments to study:  guitar, violin, trumpet, vihuela (small guitar), harp, or guitarrón (bass).
      In July, 2014, a week-long mariachi workshop was presented by Mariachi Mexico Antiguo, from Las Vegas, to the students of the Mariachi Academy. The musicians and dancers studied intensely for a week and presented a final concert on August 2, 2014, in New Haven featuring all the members of the Mariachi Academy of Connecticut, Ballet Folklorico and Mariachi Mexico Antiguo.
      The advanced students of the Mariachi Academy are selected by audition to participate in the performing ensemble.
The performing group of the Mariachi Academy perform regularly for public and private events throughout the community. The donations earned through these events go towards the Mariachi Academy. 
    It is the mission of the Mariachi Academy to strengthen our children’s knowledge and appreciation of community through music and cultural awareness.

A peek into our classroom, located in  Wallingford, CT.
Picture
Courtesy of Ray Ross Photography

Our commitment to music education.
The Mariachi Academy of Connecticut is proud to be the only institution in the state of Connecticut providing quality mariachi education to the greater community. In keeping with our commitment to provide the best experience, we implement national content standards in music.