Mariachi strengthens the relationship between a mother and her children

  A former mariachi mother’s singing is lifted by the sound of violins, guitar and vihuela from her son and daughter on the autism spectrum to make up the heart of LBCC’s growing mariachi ensemble.

The family of three, mother Rocio Chavez and her children Aolani Delgado and Maximiliano Delgado, are the passionate core of the group, known outside of LBCC as Mariachi Anacatlan. 

^{Los Vikingos mariachi group members Rocio Chavez, center, and her children Aolani Delgado, left, and Maximiliano Delgado, right pose for a portrait on Oct. 30, with Viking News on campus after LBCC’s first mariachi class’s debut performance during the Dia de los Muertos event. The three are a part of the mariachi class and Chavez has been lobbying for the creation of the class for years. (Isaiah Ryan)}

Both Aolani and Maximiliano share a unique and powerful perspective, they are both on the autism spectrum. 

“We are basically defying gender stereotypes, not just gender stereotypes, but like disability stereotypes … But here we are, both of us on the spectrum and playing in a mariachi band,” Maximiliano, an 8th grader who currently cannot enroll in the class but plays alongside his family said.

Aolani, a freshman at LBCC, is a classically trained musician who also plays violin in the LBCC Symphony Orchestra and was the reason the family began their mariachi careers at LBCC as members of Los Vikingos. 

^{Los Vikingos mariachi group member Maximiliano Delgado pauses for a portrait on Oct. 30, with Viking News on campus after LBCC’s first mariachi class’s debut performance during the Dia de los Muertos event. Delgado, who is on the autism spectrum, challenges stereotypes through his role in the mariachi band, which performed at LBCC’s Dia de los Muertos event. (Isaiah Ryan)}

When the family heard LBCC was offering a mariachi ensemble course, they were overjoyed. 

Rocio, a former mariachi singer, was surprised and proud to see her children pursue the art form they have loved for four years in their own mariachi group. 

The LBCC mariachi class, though not an official course, was a dream project for professor Angela Romero, a former member of the Mariachi Divas, who has been lobbying for its creation for years.

“We officially don’t have a mariachi class, but we’re running it under the Viking band. I’m writing a curriculum … I know it’s something that everybody likes a lot of the leadership … have desired for Long Beach City College to have,” Romero said. 

For Romero, the fight for the class is about cultural validation. 

“I think it’s extremely important… I feel like it’s validating my culture and my background,” Romero said.

Romero sees a growing appreciation for Mexican culture and learned violin, guitar and vihuela, noted, “People are going beyond the beer and tacos, and they’re really starting to appreciate the music, appreciate the people, and appreciate the way Hispanic people communicate.”

They showcased their fierce pride by donning the ‘traje de charro’, traditional mariachi worn in Mexico. 

“We are very proud because, you know, to wear a mariachi suit, you have to be very proud. And yes, we are proud and respectful of the suit.” Chavez said. 

The family’s performance at the Dia de los Muertos event was a powerful testament of their love for their culture, and of their family bond. 

“It brings us together even more because… now we share a passion,” Maximiliano said.