Making beautiful music in mariachi class at SDSU School of Music and Dance

Kevin Delgado, San Diego State University School of Music and Dance School director, knew exactly who to reach out to when he sought to add a mariachi class to the SDSU music program in 2024.

His choice was Jeffrey Nevin, PhD. 

Nevin is one of America’s leading mariachi educators and performers. As a composer, trumpeter and conductor, Nevin leads Mariachi Champaña Nevin, which is widely regarded as one of the leading proponents of “classical mariachi music” in the world. 

Composed of virtuoso mariachi and classical musicians, this unique ensemble fully embraces the ideals of traditional Mexican music and European classical music. This ensemble has delighted diverse audiences across the U.S. and Mexico, and as far away as Russia, South Korea, and Turkmenistan for more than two decades.

As an educator, Nevin is well-known locally as Professor of Music and Director of Mariachi Activities at Southwestern College, where he has developed a robust mariachi curriculum. This curriculum provides students with an Associates Degree in Music with Mariachi specialization. 

“When our Mariachi Degree at Southwestern was approved in 2004, it was the first of its kind in the world. It attracted musicians from all over the country and in Mexico,” Nevin said.

“Sometimes, until someone does something it is hard to conceptualize it. People had this idea that Mariachi should be a separate department — but I have always seen Mariachi as an integral part of a college music department. Now there are at least half a dozen other schools with Mariachi degrees in the U.S. and Mexico.”

Nevin continued, “I knew I ultimately needed students to get a four-year degree. The Mariachi class I am teaching at SDSU School of Music and Dance establishes that pathway. For me, it is making a stronger connection between the Associates program at Southwestern and a four-year program at SDSU so that my students who want to pursue music as a career have a more direct pathway into higher education.

“When I arrived at SDSU, four or five of my former students were already here. The Mariachi class has about 30 students — some of whom will go on to be the next Mariachi educators in our community.”

The class offered at SDSU School of Music and Dance is mariachi performance, for both experienced mariachi musicians and anyone who wants to learn to play mariachi.  

Students study mariachi-style trumpet, violin, guitar, vihuela, or guitarrón.  Nevin’s students both read music and become proficient with playing by ear.

Students will learn, memorize and perform mariachi and demonstrate a knowledge of basic mariachi history and style and will share a public performance with the community.