Mariachi Music Festival
Location: Downey High School
11040 Brookshire Ave, Downey, CA 90241
Saturday, April 18, 2026
About
Downey Unified’s Mariachi Music Festival
Presented by Downey Unified Mariachi
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ABOUT THE EVENT
2025 festival highlights
2024 festival highlights
Performers
The Participating Mariachi Groups in 2025
Mariachi de la Tierra
This is the first year as an ensemble at Grover Cleveland Charter High School in Reseda, CA.
Mariachi Ositos de Oro
Newest ensemble in the Godínez Fundamental High School mariachi program in Santa Ana.
Mariachi Raices de Honor
Mariachi Raices de Honor is a young elementary ensemble united by their love for Mariachi culture, dedicated to showcasing the talent and potential of young musicians. In their first year together, these students from various schools meet after school to perfect their craft and challenge expectations.
Mariachi All Stars
Mariachi All-Stars from El Monte City School District is a special collaboration with Hernandez Productions, offering students an enriching Expanded Learning Opportunity. In their first festival appearance, they are excited and grateful for the chance to perform and share their music with you all.
Mariachi Los Jaguares
Mariachi Los Jaguares from the STEAM Academy @ Burke in Pico Rivera, CA, features talented 6th-8th grade students with 1-3 years of experience. Led by Roberto Mendez, they bring passion and dedication to their music.
Mariachi Osos de Oro
Mariachi Osos de Oro, the premier mariachi ensemble at Godínez Fundamental High School in Santa Ana, California, is now in its second year as an official class. Showcasing talent and cultural pride, they perform at school events, in the Santa Ana community, and beyond.
Mariachi Las Palmeras
Mariachi Las Palmeras from Palmdale High School in Palmdale, California, is proudly reviving Mariachi on campus after more than 20 years. In their first-ever competition, they are excited to share their music and hope you enjoy their performance!
Mariachi Hollydale
Mariachi Hollydale has been part of Hollydale School’s music program at Paramount Unified for three years, featuring 15 talented musicians from 6th to 8th grade with experience in multiple instruments. Under the direction of Ms. Claudia Zuniga, these dedicated students, many of whom also perform in Advanced Orchestra and Concert Band, proudly represent Hollydale School in South Gate.
Mariachi Oro De Downey
The Intermediate Group from Downey’s Mariachi Program is a talented ensemble of young musicians honing their skills in traditional mariachi music. They serve as a bridge between beginner and advanced levels, refining their technique, stage presence, and repertoire while celebrating the rich cultural heritage of mariachi.
Mariachi Los Osos de Arvin High School
Mariachi Los Osos de Arvin High School, now in its third year in the Kern High School District, offers Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced mariachi classes that allow students to fulfill their A-G requirements. The group has performed at prestigious events like Music Days at Knott’s Berry Farm, CABE, CMEA, UCLA, and the National Migrant Conference, with a mission to enhance music education and equip students for success.
Mariachi Honor Juvenil de MUSD
Mariachi Honor is an elite extracurricular ensemble in Madera Unified, bringing together the district’s most dedicated mariachi musicians. Meeting three times a week, they perform with pride to honor past generations and inspire future ones.
Mariachi Nueva Luna
This is a community mariachi group of high school aged students that hails from Montebello, CA. These dedicated young musicians are committed to upholding their cultural traditions through their musical artistry.
dA Mini Mariachis
Established in 2019, the dA Center for the Arts’ Mini Mariachi group in Pomona, CA, welcomes students ages 4 to 19, offering beginner to intermediate training in mariachi instruments and vocals under the leadership of Gustavo Zambrano. Through cultural and musical education, community performances, and professional mariachi experiences, students develop confidence, teamwork, and a deep connection to mariachi traditions.
Mariachi Diamante de Downey
Downey’s very own mariachi program is on its third year and includes students from both middle and high school grades.
Mariachi Estrellas
This Action Youth America (AYA) After School Program is dedicated to fostering a love for music while helping children develop leadership, communication, creativity, and cultural appreciation. Since its founding in 2017 at Eastmont Intermediate School, Mariachi Estrellas has flourished, earning recognition through performances at prestigious events and national festivals, where students have been awarded for their dedication to preserving mariachi traditions.
Mariachi Herencia Michoacana
This group of college-aged performers was founded in 2017 in the city of Azusa.
Judges
Angelica Hernandez
Ismael Hernandez
Ismael Hernandez embarked on his musical journey at the tender age of 8, apprenticing with his father, Chato Hernández, in Mariachi los Jilgueros as a vihuelist. A pivotal moment arrived at 18 when he relocated to Los Angeles, California, where Mr. José Hernández and Mariachi Sol de México welcomed him as a violinist. Subsequently, he joined Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano, honing his skills over a remarkable 25-year career. Encouraged by Nati Cano, Ismael later established his own ensemble, Mariachi Tierra Querida de Ismael Hernández.
Julian Torres
Julián Torres is a groundbreaking Mexican-American singer from Hawthorne, CA, recognized as the first mariachi artist signed to Death Row Records. Discovered by producer Fredwreck in 2020, he is known for blending traditional mariachi with a modern style, performing at major venues like Dodger Stadium and the Hollywood Bowl.
David Lizarde
David Lizarde is a middle school music teacher with the Paramount Unified School District and holds a Master’s degree in Education from California State University, Dominguez Hills. With more than 20 years of experience in music education, he has dedicated his career to inspiring students through the power of music. His musical journey began with violin studies and later flourished in mariachi performance, leading to three decades of performing alongside talented musicians and artists. A proud resident of Downey, David is honored to serve as an adjudicator for Downey’s 3rd Mariachi Music Festival.
Irineo Yanez
Irineo Yañez is a music educator and professional musician with nearly two decades of experience in public education. Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, he began studying the violin at age nine and started performing mariachi music at twelve with Mariachi Olímpico at Belvedere Junior High School—an experience that inspired his lifelong dedication to the genre. He holds a Bachelor of Music and a Master’s degree in Education from California State University, Northridge, and has served as an educator with the Los Angeles Unified School District for nearly 18 years. In addition to his work in education, Irineo is an accomplished mariachi musician who has performed on some of the world’s most prestigious stages.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING THE EVENT:
Seating & Free Parking
There will be ample seating in the stadium stands and more free parking options in Downey High’s parking lots off of Brookshire Ave. (at Firestone Blvd. and just south of 5th St, near the Aquatic Center pool), as well as off Lakewood Blvd., at 3rd St.
We still encourage everyone to walk, use public transit, carpool or use rideshare services (like Lyft or Uber) to lessen the potential traffic congestion as everyone is arriving at the same time.
Please note, this is a family event. Alcohol is not permitted on the premises. No pets are allowed. By attending the event, you agree to the event’s privacy policy.
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