Mariachi Juvenil de San Diego delivers its mission through two primary program
areas: year-round mariachi instruction and its flagship Annual Mariachi
Conference.

The year-round program provides mariachi instruction and youth development
classes at in-school and out-of-school sites across San Diego County,
including after-school, weekend, school break, and summer programming. Classes
are led by professional instructors and include access to instruments at no
cost to participants. The program also connects youth and families to health,
education, and college preparation resources through a Health, Education, and
Crime Prevention Awareness Fair, featuring partners such as La Maestra
Community Health Centers, UC San Diego’s PATH Program, the San Diego County
District Attorney’s Office, and performing arts organizations including La
Jolla Music Society and San Diego Opera.

The Annual Mariachi Conference — now in its 13th year — is a three-day event
held at the University of San Diego that brings together master mariachi
musicians from beginning to professional levels. The conference features
world-class instruction, three public evening concerts attended by an
estimated 1,000 community members per night, and culminating performances by
instructors and students. Equitable access is ensured through free parking,
discounted and free tuition, loaner instruments, and transportation support.
For many youth, the conference represents their first visit to a university
campus, making it a powerful bridge to higher education. The conference is a
celebrated annual milestone for the entire San Diego mariachi community — a
space to learn, perform, and celebrate cultural identity together.