Mariachi Music Rings Out at First-Ever Puget Sound Festival

The sounds of mariachi music filled the Highline Performing Arts Center on May 12 as students from across the region came together for the inaugural Encuentro de Mariachi Puget Sound—a one-day festival celebrating the rich tradition and cultural significance of mariachi. 

Students from Ingraham and Lincoln high schools, and Jane Addams Middle School represented Seattle Public Schools at the event. All are part of the North Seattle Mariachi Program, a collaboration between Orquesta Northwest and SPS that is quickly gaining momentum. 

Launched in February 2024 with support from The Creative Advantage, the program has grown rapidly. Each week, middle and high school students gather after school at Ingraham to learn and perform mariachi music. A second middle school class also meets at Robert Eagle Staff Middle School, expanding access and opportunities for students across North Seattle. 

Just two years after launching, the program’s advanced ensemble, Estrellas de Norte, has already made a strong presence in the community, performing more than 15 times during the 2025–26 school year. 

The Encuentro brought together approximately 150 students from Seattle, Highline, Federal Way, and Edmonds school districts, along with university groups from Pacific Lutheran University and the University of Washington. Throughout the day, students participated in workshops led by professional mariachi musicians, collaborated with peers, and built their skills. 

Intermediate and advanced ensembles learned and performed new pieces during the morning workshops, while the afternoon featured performances from school groups, followed by feedback from clinicians—offering students valuable opportunities to grow as musicians. 

Beyond the music, the festival highlighted the broader impact of mariachi education. Programs like North Seattle Mariachi foster cross-cultural understanding, strengthen students’ connection to school, and celebrate the culture and heritage of Latino students. They also create meaningful opportunities for families to engage in their children’s education and school community.