Mariachi Espuelas de Plata

Mariachi Espuelas de Plata is a community youth group from the Court Youth Center in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

Members range in age from 12-18 years. The group has participated in the Las Cruces mariachi conferences and recently attended the Mariachi Craze conference in El Paso, Texas. They performed for President Bush during his campaign tour and also performed for the New Mexico State Legislature in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

The group recently participated in a New Mexico Music Tour sponsored by the New Mexico Arts. They performed at various venues in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Taos, Espanola and Chimayo, New Mexico. They were showcased on the "Ear to Ground" program on KUNM radio station in Albuquerque, NM.

Future plans are to attend future mariachi conferences and produce a CD. The group is under the direction of members of Mariachi Alegre, a professional group from El Paso, Texas. Artistic director is Santiago Romero. Mariachi Espuelas de Plata members mentor to new mariachi students who join the apprentice group.