UC Irvine's Mariachi Orgullo Fosters Culture and Community Across Irvine

UC Irvine is home to Mariachi Orgullo de UCI, the university's first mariachi ensemble, which embodies a distinct Mexican musical tradition. The student-led organization was founded in April 2024 by Brendaitzel Torres with the goal of creating a space for individuals to connect with Mexican culture through music.

What began with a simple flyer and a QR code has expanded into a 15-member group that performs across UC Irvine, Orange County, and neighboring communities. In its early stages, Mariachi Orgullo de UCI’s aspirations were modest. Students initially gathered to rehearse in Aldrich Park, developing their ensemble skills while managing their academic responsibilities, work, and university life. Torres, who had previously spent years singing, playing violin, and performing mariachi in high school, envisioned a student organization at UC Irvine that would integrate mariachi as both a musical practice and a direct link to heritage. Torres, a senior studying criminology, law and society as well as psychology, noted that she came to UC Irvine and "felt like a part of me was missing" without music and community.

Torres organized the group's first meeting at the Student Center, expressing she was "shocked at how many students were interested." Mariachi Orgullo de UCI, which translates to Mariachi Pride of UCI, draws students from various academic fields, including criminology, art, psychology, history, mechanical engineering, and Earth system science. The members bring a range of musical experience, with some having extensive mariachi backgrounds, others coming from classical, jazz, or concert music, and some being entirely new to the genre.

This diversity allows the ensemble to function as more than just a performance group, providing a space for students to learn from each other and explore culture through music. For some, it offers a reconnection to traditions they grew up with, while for others, it's an opportunity to discover a cultural art form for the first time. Sabalyn Castillo, a 19-year-old second-year mathematics major and member, shared that being part of the group has "made me more confident and connected to my culture."

The organization’s mission centers on preservation, recognizing mariachi not merely as music for performance but as a tradition passed down through generations via repertoire, language, instrumentation, performance practices, and community. Mariachi Orgullo de UCI aims to sustain this tradition by learning and performing classic Mexican music and sharing it with diverse audiences. Rafael Francisco Perez, co-founder and executive director of events, and a senior in informatics and game design, described the organization as dedicated to fostering respect and understanding of cultures within the campus community and beyond. Perez highlighted one particularly rewarding experience: "performing for the Student Housing custodial staff and service workers" as a way to show appreciation for their dedication.

The ensemble performs mariachi in various styles associated with different Mexican regions, offering audiences a broad understanding of the music. These romantic, celebratory, and traditional ranchera pieces serve as vehicles for storytelling, memory, and cultural continuity. On campus, the group has become a fixture at significant Latino gatherings, performing at La Bienvenida, UC Irvine’s Latino community welcome event, alongside Ballet Folklórico de UCI. They have also appeared at the Anteater Involvement Fair, where prospective members can learn about the organization, and at La Despedida, marking the end of the academic year, in collaboration with the Latinx Resource Center and Mesa Unida affiliates. Mariachi Orgullo de UCI has also participated in UC Irvine’s Día de los Muertos and Nuestra Graduación festivities, linking mariachi to moments of remembrance, celebration, belonging, and academic achievement. Perez stated that the opportunity to represent mariachi music and the Latino community has "enriched my experience here at UC Irvine."

Beyond the campus, Mariachi Orgullo de UCI’s reach continues to grow. The students have performed at venues and events including the Irvine Barclay Theatre, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Downtown Santa Ana ArtWalk, the Long Beach Senior Center, and the investiture ceremony for U.S. District Judge Serena R. Murillo. Their participation in local events introduces the musical tradition to audiences of different generations, extending its presence beyond the university into the broader communities it originates from.

The ensemble achieved significant visibility through its serenatas. For Valentine’s Day this year, Mariachi Orgullo de UCI offered personalized performances on campus and in nearby cities. A promotional video for the event garnered 1.3 million views on TikTok and 619,000 views on Instagram Reels, leading to the group’s following increasing from approximately 900 to nearly 10,600. Israel Pastelin, who booked the mariachi ensemble for his daughter’s UC Irvine graduation in June, noted it was an "opportunity to support the school and the students" and praised their "wonderful performance."

The city of Irvine has also recognized the organization, demonstrating its expanding presence beyond the university. Today, Mariachi Orgullo de UCI is no longer just students rehearsing in a park; it has become an esteemed part of the university and the surrounding region. This trajectory reached a new milestone with the ensemble’s first spring concert in May at UC Irvine’s Winifred Smith Hall, which marked the two-year anniversary of Mariachi Orgullo de UCI. Members dedicated months to funding, organizing, and successfully selling out their first independent showcase. This concert allowed the group to present its full and deeply personal repertoire, moving beyond shorter performances. For the students, filling the hall with family and community members was a profound triumph that demonstrated what they could achieve through their collective dedication.

Torres expressed, "The feeling I get when playing mariachi music is pride." She added that it allows her to express a part of herself that is close to home. Torres explained that when singing a solo piece, particularly a melancholy one, she is "telling a story that so many people have lived through," and the encouragement from her fellow musicians makes her feel connected to everyone who identifies with the lyrics.