11/15/2023
Education and Outreach
When mariachi students from Del Sol High School experienced one of the world’s leading mariachi groups at The Smith Center this fall, they didn’t just witness the genre’s foremost musicians. They also saw an impressive show embracing their heritage.
“Culturally, our students feel validated and appreciated,” says their teacher, Guadalupe Gonzalez. “Mariachi is part of their culture and their roots, which made them feel more connected to the music.”
The Del Sol students represented just a few who enjoyed this cultural celebration.
Under The Smith Center’s Access to the Arts program, mariachi students from several Southern Nevada schools attended a September performance of the internationally acclaimed Mariachi Herencia de México, at no cost to schools.
This opportunity was made possible thanks to a generous donation from Roberto’s Taco Shop, which covered the students’ ticket cost.
Students from six schools attended, including Canyon Springs High School, Clark High School, Del Sol High School, Keller Middle School, Las Vegas High School and Mack Middle School.
“Attending this concert allowed students to experience an extremely talented group that performs mariachi across the globe, introducing it to a wide variety of cultures,” says Melanie Jupp, director of Education and Outreach at The Smith Center. “We hope this inspires them to continue their musical training and seek out new ways to push musical boundaries.”
Beyond watching the performance, students also met the musicians afterward, providing an empowering experience for many youths who might not otherwise experience live shows, Gonzalez says.
“If (they see) a group performing and singing the same music that they are, and (people) will pay to watch them at a prestigious venue like The Smith Center, (they known that) they can achieve that as well,” she says.
Forging a Cultural Connection
Nominated for a Latin Grammy, Mariachi Herencia de México features masterful musicians performing traditional and reimagined mariachi music.
The students saw those performers demonstrate the highest level of skill sets often discussed in class, Gonzalez notes, which she considers “very beneficial for them.”
Students also felt invigorated to see that many of these top musicians are young adults, close to their own ages,” she adds.
“Musically, I believe they were inspired and motivated,” Gonzalez says. “They noticed how each performer carried themselves onstage and (were) amazed at their voices and how they interacted with the crowd.”
As many of the students or their families hail from Mexico, learning to play mariachi helps them honor and represent their heritage with pride, Gonzalez says.
“We all connect to our roots, as they do with mariachi culture and mariachi music,” she says. “Our country is built on multiple ethnicities and cultures, and it's a beautiful thing that we, as teachers, are able to teach it to our students and keep it alive and thriving.”
Sponsorships with Community Impact
As a nonprofit, The Smith Center welcomes support from community sponsors for its Access to the Arts program, which provides opportunities for schools and community groups to attend select performances.
The program further offers concerts and individual engagement performances in a variety of arts disciplines to individual classes, school ensembles and community groups, which support each group’s area of focus.
Community organizations and businesses can also support The Smith Center through many additional sponsorship opportunities, including the Corporate Giving Package, season sponsorships, series sponsorships, show-program advertising, Education and Outreach sponsorships and more.
“Pursuing a sponsorship not only helps to make the arts more accessible for all Southern Nevadans, but it can also expand awareness of a business’ brand among wide-ranging audiences,” says Michelle Brown, director of corporate sponsorships at The Smith Center. “Our team works closely with businesses to find the best sponsorship level for their goals. Through collaboration, we bring people from all walks of life together to enjoy our inspirational and diverse programming, making Las Vegas a more arts-rich community.”
LEARN MORE
To learn more about sponsorship opportunities with The Smith Center, CLICK HERE.