From a young age, I’ve loved all sorts of art. I’d spend hours drawing every day since I was five. It didn’t help that I was born into a family where my Mother and my brother were artists, too. On my Dad’s side, though, there was music. My Dad played the drums really well. My grandfather was a Mariachi many years ago, and an amazing vocalist, this made me think about pursuing music. So after some persuasion from my friends, I decided to join the concert band in the seventh grade. I played percussion, and while I wasn’t very good, I still had a lot of fun. It soon became one of my favorite classes, and I’d look forward to going into Band every day.

Halfway through the semester, however, I heard that my Music Teacher had started a Mariachi program. Since we live all the way in the Pacific Northwest, I was surprised that Mariachi was being offered. I immediately joined, and I am forever happy I did. This class was not only an outlet for my singing and an additional place for me to practice rhythm with my guitar, but helped me learn more about my culture.

Looking back at percussion now, one of the things that motivated me to get better was the teasing I got from my peers. While the teasing was all in good fun, it still held power over how I thought about myself. So the summer after seventh grade, I was in my garage every day practicing rhythm and notation. By eighth grade, I could sight-read most rhythms and notes on a treble clef.

Yet with the end of the year approaching, I had to decide which classes I wanted to stay in when I got to high school. I’ve always been invested in my future, so earning enough credits has been a constant concern. With a heavy heart, I decided to stop taking Mariachi in high school and switch to Commercial Arts. When I went in for my Freshman year, I felt incredibly out of place. I spoke to the Dean, and she told me the only class available during that period was Mariachi. I took the opportunity at once and cemented my future. I fell in love with Mariachi all over again, and now I don’t know what I’d do without it.

I still play percussion, better than I ever have before. I’m a snare on my High School’s drumline, and have made a strong bond with all of the others as well. Mariachi for me is the same way; we’ve become like a big family with instruments. Nowadays, I’m confident that I plan to pursue music. Though I often have to deal with the negative attitudes of those who don’t share my passion, I know I’ll be happy if I do this. No matter where my future might take me, I know music, in some form, will always play an important role in my life.

© Khloe. All rights reserved. If you are interested in quoting this story, contact the national team and we can put you in touch with the author’s teacher.