Chicago Schools Offer Accredited Mariachi Classes

Instructor Michael Espinosa leads credited programs for students to embrace their cultural identity through music.

Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Hispanic

Bold vector editorial illustration of two acoustic guitars resting on a wooden chair, depicting mariachi culture in education. — Chicago Public Schools students are engaging with their cultural heritage through accredited mariachi courses offered at Benito Juarez Community Academy. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Michael Espinosa teaches accredited mariachi courses at both Benito Juarez Community Academy and the University of Illinois Chicago. These programs allow students to engage with their heritage by learning to read music, sing in Spanish, and master traditional instruments.

Why it matters

These classes provide students with a formal environment to embrace their culture and identity while using music to foster connections within the local Chicago community. Benito Juarez Community Academy maintains the only credited mariachi class currently available in the Chicago Public Schools system.

Michael Espinosa has provided accredited instruction for 10 years at the academy. This institution hosts the only credited mariachi curriculum within the Chicago Public Schools system.

The players

Michael Espinosa

He is a music instructor who has taught accredited mariachi classes for 10 years at Benito Juarez Community Academy.

Benito Juarez Community Academy

This Chicago institution hosts the only accredited mariachi class currently offered in the Chicago Public Schools system.

Mariachi Herencia de México

This musical group gained recognition for performing the U.S. national anthem at a Chicago Bears game held at Soldier Field.

The details

Students in these programs receive formal training on instruments while learning to read music and perform Spanish-language compositions. The academic approach blends traditional skill development with cultural education to help participants connect with their roots.

Mariachi music first developed in western Mexico during the 18th century.
Michael Espinosa has taught mariachi at Benito Juarez Community Academy for the past 10 years.
Mariachi Herencia de México performed at Soldier Field on September 28.

Culture Shift

The formalization of mariachi instruction reflects a broader trend of integrating cultural heritage studies into mainstream educational frameworks. This shift mirrors the evolving recognition of diverse musical traditions within Chicago Public Schools curriculum standards.

Students gain access to specialized cultural instruction that is currently unavailable elsewhere in the public school system. Families in the Chicago area can utilize these accredited courses as a structured path for their children to pursue musical literacy and identity preservation.

The takeaway

Engaging with cultural arts through accredited programs offers a unique opportunity for students to bridge their heritage with formal education. Residents interested in these traditions can support local performances and academic initiatives to sustain these programs in the community.