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All-State Festival Conductors
The Nevada Music Educators Association (NMEA) is hosting the All-State Festival, which features guest conductors from diverse professional backgrounds. These conductors bring a wealth of experience in music education, encompassing both elementary and secondary schools as well as university, military, and professional levels. Our goal is to provide our students and teachers with a unique musical, motivational, and educational experience.
2025 Nevada All-State High School
Band Conductor
High School Band Conductor
Randall Coleman
Director of Bands
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Randall Coleman is currently the Director of Bands and the Frances Hall Hill Professor of Music at the University
of Tennessee at Chattanooga where he serves as the conductor of the UTC Wind Ensemble, teaches courses in
conducting and music education, and oversees all aspects of the band program at UTC including the Marching Mocs
and Pep Band. Prior to his tenure at UTC, Professor Coleman was the Associate Director of Bands at the University
of Alabama. At UA, he was the conductor of the Alabama Symphonic Band and was one of Directors of the Million
Dollar Band. He also taught graduate and undergraduate conducting and wind band literature classes. Additionally,
Professor Coleman serves as Conductor and Artistic Director of the Alabama Winds, an all-adult community wind
band based in Birmingham, Alabama. Prior to his appointment to the faculty at the University of Alabama, Mr.
Coleman enjoyed a successful 25-year career as a high school band director and supervisor in metropolitan Atlanta,
Georgia, retiring as the Director of Bands at Milton High School in 2007. He received his Bachelor of Science
Degree in Music Education at Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, Alabama, and the Master of Music
Education degree from Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia.
Professor Coleman has conducted the University of Alabama Million Dollar Band in performances for seven
Southeastern Conference Football Championships, and in the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, Louisiana, the Rose
Bowl in Pasadena, California, the Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida, and the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Arizona where
the Crimson Tide won the 2009, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2017 and 2020 National Championships. Under his direction, the
Alabama Symphonic Band gave invitational performances at the Alabama Music Educators’ Association Inservice
Conference and at the 2014 and 2020 College Band Directors’ National Association Southern Division Conference.
The Alabama Winds has given invitational performances at the 2015 and 2019 Alabama Music Educators’
Association Inservice Conference and at the 2016 University of Alabama Honor Band Festival, and the 2020
Samford University Honor Band Festival. Alabama Winds also was a featured performer at the 2017 Midwest Clinic
International Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago, Illinois. Most recently, he conducted the UTC Marching Mocs
in their performance in the New Year’s Day Parade in London, England and will conduct the UTC Wind Ensemble
as the featured collegiate ensemble at the East Tennessee School Band and Orchestra Association All-State East
Festival in February 2025.
Professor Coleman is currently serving as Immediate Past-President of the National Band Association, and he was
elected to membership in the prestigious American Bandmasters Association in 2016. He also holds membership in
the National Association for Music Education, the Tennessee Music Educators’ Association, Tennessee
Bandmasters Association, the East Tennessee Band and Orchestra Association, the Georgia Music Educators’
Association (Past President), and Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters’ Fraternity.
2025 Nevada All-State Middle School band Conductor
Middle School Band Conductor
Taylor Williamson
Director of Bands
Wiley Middle School, Texas
Jonathon Taylor Williamson is in his tenth year of teaching and sixth year as Director of Bands at Wiley Middle School. Prior to coming to Leander ISD in 2018, he was the Director of Bands at both Richardson North Junior High and Forest Meadow Junior High in the Richardson ISD in Richardson, Texas.
At Wiley Middle School, Mr. Williamson teaches the Wind Ensemble, assists with the Symphonic and Concert bands, and teaches beginning trumpet, french horn, trombone, and tuba. Since beginning his career in music education, Mr. Williamsons’ bands have achieved UIL Sweepstakes ratings, as well as unanimous first division ratings. Over the past six years of leading the Wiley Band, the program has grown from just under 200 students to now consistently having 300+ students in band each year, which is usually 50-60% of the total student population. In 2022, the Wiley Wind Ensemble earned the distinction as a National Wind Band Honors Class AA winner. Most recently, the Wiley Middle School Wind Ensemble was named the 2023 TMEA Class CC Honor Band and a 2024 Midwest Clinic Invited Ensemble.
In 2024, Mr. Williamson was honored by the Alpha chapter of Phi Beta Mu, being named “Texas Young Bandmaster of the Year.”
Mr. Williamson is an active clinician for several band programs throughout Texas and travels yearly across the nation as an invited judge and clinician. Mr. Williamson is also a yearly conductor / clinician at several summer band camps including the Baylor University and Sam Houston State University summer music camps.
In 2014, Mr. Williamson graduated summa cum laude receiving his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Baylor University in Waco, Texas. While at Baylor, he studied under Dr. Eric Wilson, Dr. Isaiah Odajima, Wiff Rudd, and Mark Schubert and was a member of the Baylor Symphony Orchestra, Baylor Wind Ensemble, and award-winning Baylor Trumpet Ensembles. In 2014 Mr. Williamson received the Presser Foundation Scholar award for outstanding collegiate musicianship and academic excellence.
Mr. Williamson is an active member of the Texas Music Educators Association and the Texas Bandmasters Association. He enjoys motivating young musicians to reach their highest level of performance by sharing his extreme love and passion for music with them on a daily basis. He feels honored, privileged, and extremely blessed to have had many great mentors, band directors, and close friends who have influenced his career thus far.
Mr. Williamson currently lives in Liberty Hill, Texas with his wife, Emily Williamson, current Choir Director at Stiles Middle School in the Leander ISD, and his dog-daughter, Lady. Outside of teaching band, Mr. Williamson is an active professional photographer.
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2025 Nevada All-State High School
Orchestra Conductor
High School Orchestra Conductor
Farkhad Khudyev
Music Director of the University of Texas Symphony Orchestra
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Described by the critics as “phenomenon“ (Seattle Post Alley),“magician on the podium” (Performing Arts
Monterey Bay), with “the ability to connect with invisible worlds and to bring them alive in the
music” (Monterey Herald), Farkhad Khudyev, has been recognized by the government of the United States as an
Artist of Extraordinary Ability.
Admired for “meticulous guidance, superb musicianship and extraordinarily imaginative interpretation” (Performing
Arts Monterey Bay), Mr. Khudyev has worked with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, Frankfurt Radio Symphony
Orchestra and Frankfurt Opera Orchestra of Germany, Danish National Symphony Orchestra of Denmark, Calgary
Opera and Calgary Philharmonic of Canada, Seattle Symphony, Dallas Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic, San
Diego Symphony, Cape Symphony, Monterey Symphony, Yale Philharmonia, National Orchestra of Turkmenistan,
George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra of Romania, State Symphony Orchestra of Azerbaijan, Xi’an Symphony
Orchestra of China and the State Taipei Chinese Orchestra of Taiwan.
Mr. Khudyev is the winner of the Gold Medal “Beethoven 250” Special Prize at the 1st International Arthur Nikisch
Conducting Competition; the Solti Foundation US 2022 Career Assistance Award; the Solti Foundation US 2018
Career Assistance Award; the Best Interpretation Prize at the 1st International Taipei Conducting Competition in
Taiwan; the 3rd prize at the 8th International Sir Georg Solti Conducting Competition in Germany; the 1st Prize at
the Yale Chamber Music Society Competition; and the Gold Medal and Grand Prize at the 2007 National Fischoff
Chamber Music Competition in the US.
Farkhad has performed around the United States, Europe and Asia at world-class venues and festivals including the
Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., Emilia Romagna Festival in Italy, DR Koncerthuset in Denmark, Zhongshan
Hall in Taiwan, Shaanxi Performing Center in China, Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium in Canada, the Alte Oper
Frankfurt Großer Saal and the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Festpiele in Germany.
Mr. Khudyev has served as the Music Director of New Jersey Intergenerational Orchestra, New Haven Chamber
Orchestra, Youth Music Monterey County, as well as the Associate Conductor of the Hidden Valley Opera and the
Assistant Conductor of the London Philharmonic Orchestra in England.
Currently, Mr. Khudyev serves as the Music Director of the University of Texas Symphony Orchestra and the
Assistant Professor of Music in Orchestral Studies at the University of Texas at Austin, as well as the Music Director
of the Orchestral Institute at the Hidden Valley Institute of the Arts in Carmel, California.
Farkhad Khudyev was born in Turkmenistan, where he first studied violin, piano and composition at the State Music
School for gifted musicians. At the age of 10, he distinguished himself as the youngest performer selected to play
with the National Violin Ensemble of Turkmenistan, and toured around Central Asia and Eastern Europe. As a
soloist and a member of the Ensemble, Farkhad performed for the Presidents of France, Ukraine, Russia, Turkey,
Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan.
In 2001, Farkhad came to the United States to study at Interlochen Arts Academy and then completed his studies at
the Oberlin Conservatory and Yale University.
2025 Nevada All-State Middle School
Orchestra Conductor
Middle School Orchestra Conductor
Aline Moore
Director of Orchestra
Lebanon Trail High School, Texas
Aline Moore is an orchestra educator, adjudicator, and violinist in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Currently she serves in the orchestra team at Lebanon Trail High School teaching 170 students in 5 orchestras. Her students have achieved consistent success in both Texas Music Educators Association All-Region competitions and Texas University Interscholastic League evaluations.
Ms. Moore came to LTHS after serving five years as Head Orchestra Director at Clark Middle School in Frisco. In prior years, Ms. Moore taught private lessons at a number of schools in Dallas/Fort Worth.
A native of Brazil, Ms. Moore began studying the violin at age eleven. She continued her studies in college and received her Bachelor’s degree in Violin Performance at Federal University of Minas Gerais. Ms. Moore went on to serve as violin professor at Federal University of Uberlandia and Espirito Santo College of Music.
In 2005, Ms. Moore moved to Campbellsville, Kentucky to pursue a Master’s degree in Arts of Music at Campbellsville University. While in Kentucky, she appeared with the Owensboro Symphony Orchestra, and held the position of concertmaster in Campbellsville University’s orchestra.
In 2010 and 2011, Ms. Moore was a section violinist with the Las Colinas Symphony Orchestra and also appeared regularly with the San Angelo Symphony.
Ms. Moore is an active member of TMEA, TODA (Texas Orchestra Directors Association), ASTA (American String Teachers Association), and TMAA (Texas Music Adjudicators Association). She has served as TMEA Orchestra Chair for Region 24, is the current chair for the IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access) Committee for TODA, serves in the DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) Committee for ASTA, and is a fellow for the FASE (Foundation for the Advancement of String Education) Fellowship for Diverse String Teachers. She lives in Lewisville, TX with her husband, their daughter Maya, and golden retriever, Waffles. During her free time she enjoys working out, cooking, traveling, and going to brunch.
2025 Nevada High School All-State Choral Conductors
​TTB High School Choir Conductor
Chris Munce
Director, Conductor, and Educator
Chris Munce is a highly regarded choir director, conductor, and educator in the choral music community. He has worked with a variety of choirs, from youth ensembles to professional groups, and is currently the director of Kantorei KC, a professional choir based in Kansas City. Munce has also been a choral director at Lee’s Summit High School for 18 years, where he has made a significant impact on the school’s music program.
In addition to his work as a choral director, Munce is the host of the Choralosophy podcast, which explores the art and science of choral music. The podcast has been the world’s top-rated choir podcast for over four years and is among the top-performing arts podcasts. Through the podcast, Munce has shared his expertise and insights with a wide audience and has become a sought-after clinician and speaker.
Munce holds a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music and Dance and has presented at conferences and workshops across the country. His dedication to excellence in choral music, his passion for innovation and collaboration, and his commitment to education and mentorship make him a valuable leader and contributor to the choral community.
​SSA High School All-State Choir Conductor
Dr. Laura Diddle
Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities
South Dakota State University
Dr. Laura Diddle is Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities at South Dakota State University (SDSU) where she conducts the Concert Choir, Madrigal Singers and the Choralia (the Women’s Choir). She teaches applied voice to music majors and minors and is responsible for vocal music education courses. Dr. Diddle received her Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance, and Master of Arts at the Indiana University School of Music and her Ph.D. in Music Education from the University of South Carolina.
Dr. Diddle began her career at SDSU in 2003 as Associate Director of Choral Activities and was promoted to Director of Choral Activities in Fall 2012. Under Diddle’s direction, the select 70 voice Concert Choir has performed regionally and internationally. The Concert Choir tours regionally every year, performs a fully staged Madrigal Dinner every other year, and is the face of the SDSU Choral Department. Dr. Diddle also leads the 120-voiced SDSU University Women’s Ensemble Choralia. The ensemble toured Moscow and St. Petersburg Russia during 2012 and regularly performs in Women’s Choir festivals across the region yearly. Her private voice students regularly compete and place highly in state, regional, and national voice competitions. Many of her students chose to attend graduate school in voice performance in schools such as Indiana University, the University of Michigan, Florida State University, the University of Missouri, Kansas City, Arizona State University, and the University of Nebraska, Lincoln.
In addition to her conducting duties at SDSU, Dr. Diddle is active as a guest conductor, adjudicator and clinician in the Midwestern and Southeastern United States. She was co-conductor of Midwest Ambassador’s Tour to Western Europe for Summer 2007-2019. She is sought after to present interest sessions in her areas of research which include Repertoire Selection Practices of Beginning Choral Music Educators, Curriculum Development, and Early Childhood Music Education.
2025 Nevada All-State Vocal Jazz Conductors
​Vocal Jazz All-State Choir Conductor
Megan Franke
Former Director of Choral Studies Las Vegas Academy
Megan Franke, originally from Fargo, North Dakota, earned her bachelor’s degrees in Vocal Performance and Music Education from the University of Mary. She furthered her studies with a master’s degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Minnesota Duluth. Her diverse performance experience spans opera, jazz, and musical theatre.
Moving into a new role this fall, Megan is now Director of Development at the Las Vegas Academy of the Arts. Since 2007, Megan has served as the Director of Vocal Activities and Music Conservatory Chairperson at the acclaimed Las Vegas Academy of the Arts, a 12-time Grammy-winning institution. Under her leadership, the Vocal Department has seen significant growth, more than doubling in size and scope. Her ensembles have achieved national recognition, performing alongside renowned artists such as Hugh Jackman, Wayne Newton, Foreigner, Andre Rieu, Kenny Ortega, and the Broadway cast of Memphis. They have also appeared on national television during high-profile events like the 2022 NFL Draft, the 2022 Raiders Season home opener, the 2023 NFL Pro-Bowl and Barry Manilow’s 2023 NBC Holiday Special, “A Very Barry Christmas”.
On campus, she has been actively involved as Gala Co-chair in 2017 and has held the role of entertainment chair since 2018. She also contributes to various committees, including the Arts Schools Network Committee, Magnet Schools of America Committee, Branding Committee, and Arts Integration Committee.
Over her 18-year career, Megan was named the Region VIII Magnet Schools of America Teacher of the Year in 2018, a Kiwanis Teacher of the Year Finalist in 2018, a 3-time UNLV Teacher Recognition Award Recipient, and a 5-time finalist for the Heart of Education Awards. Megan also completed her National Board Certification in Secondary Vocal Music Education in 2017 and her Maintenance of Certification in 2021.
Beyond her work at the Academy, Megan has held several significant positions in the choral community over the years. She has served as the Women's Choir Repertoire and Standards Chair for the Nevada chapter of the American Choral Directors Association, the Clark County School District Honor Choir Chairperson, the Nevada All-State Choral Co-Chairperson and Vocal Clinic Coordinator for the Nevada Music Educators Association. Additionally, she was the Secretary of the Western Region of the National Association of Teachers of Singing and Co-Coordinator of the MET in the Schools program for the Clark County School District. Her commitment to music education and her active involvement in various music organizations underscore her dedication to advancing the field and nurturing the next generation of musical talent.
2025 Nevada All-State Middle School Choral Conductor
Middle School Choir Conductor
Greg Gilpin
ASCAP Award-Winning Choral Composer
Greg Gilpin is a celebrated ASCAP award-winning choral composer and arranger and a highly respected choral conductor. He is known throughout the United States leading performances at New York City’s iconic Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center as well as Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee. His international appearances include the Sydney Opera House in Sydney, Australia, Royal Festival Hall in London, England and Harpa Concert Hall in Reykjavik, Iceland.
Mr. Gilpin is a proud member of ACDA, NAfME, SAG-AFTRA, and is a Life Loyal Member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and continues is position as Editor and Director of Educational Choral Publications for Shawnee Press.
2025 Nevada All-State High School Jazz Conductor
High School Jazz Conductor
Willie Hill
Retired Professor University of Massachusetts
Willie L. Hill Jr.’s career has run the gamut — from sharing stages with musical icons like Dizzy Gillespie to advocating for arts to leading workshops for public school children. Through it all, Hill provided exceptional time and dedication to provide services for the communities with which he was associated.
A jazz saxophonist, Hill has appeared in concert with artists such as Liza Minelli, Johnny Mathis, Sammy Davis Jr., Lou Rawls and Lena Horne. With over 45 appearances as a guest soloist with iconic big bands and as guest conductor at over 35 venues, he continues to inspire the national jazz scene.
But it’s off the stage that Hill’s impact reaches even further.
Hill gave generously of his time throughout his career, first serving as a teacher with Denver Public Schools and later as a professor at the CU Boulder College of Music. As director of the CU Jazz Summer Camp, he inspired generations of young people in high school and college.
“I learned from and worked with Willie and saw his teaching powerfully reach generations of students,” said College of Music Dean Emeritus Daniel Sher. “I found him to be a consummate virtuoso on the saxophone, and his leadership was an inspiration to his colleagues.”
This was only the beginning of an impressive trajectory of impact. As president of the National Association for Music Educators, Hill led an organization of music educators and college student chapters — over 125,000 members. Similarly, as president of the International Association of Jazz Educators, he led 15,000 members from over 35 countries.
He has been inducted into the Colorado Music Educators Hall of Fame, Grambling State University Hall of Fame and National History Makers Organization, and he has received numerous awards and accolades, including the Benny Golson Jazz Master Award, Lawrence Berk Jazz Educator of the Year Award and DownBeat Magazine Achievement Award in Jazz Education. He is also a founder of the Rick Matterson/Clark Terry Telluride Jazz Academy and Mile High Jazz Camp in Boulder.
Most recently, Hill retired from his position as director of the Fine Arts Center at the University of Massachusetts in 2019. In this role, he made a profound impact on communities by developing outreach initiatives to provide children with access, and also supported participation in music, dance, theater and the arts. Through his engaging personality, drive, energy and optimism, his participation made significant progress in the Fine Arts Center’s efforts to build community and develop the strategies and initiatives that break down cultural and societal barriers while promoting arts and culture.
2025 Nevada All-State Guitar Conductor
High School Guitar Conductor
Darin Au
Director of Guitar
Punahou School, Honolulu
Western Division Representative on the NAfME Council for Guitar Education
Darin has taught high school classroom guitar for over 25 years. Since 1996, he has maintained a successful private teaching studio, 7th Fret Guitar Studios, specializing in small group instruction to children ages 5 and up. Darin earned a Master of Music in Composition from the University of North Texas College of Music. He earned a BA in Music from the University of Redlands where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa. He has presented sessions on creativity, collaboration, and guitar education at state and national conferences. Darin currently serves as the Western Division representative on the NAfME Council for Guitar Education.
Darin's compositions are performed by guitar ensembles around the country, including the NAfME All-National Honor Ensemble in 2018 (Chasing Dragons), 2020 (Gävlebocken) and 2022 (D'Bootsy Bass Baby). His works are published by the Theodore Presser Company and Les Productions d'OZ. He also has published Beginning Ensembles for the Next Generaton of Guitarists which was written to accompany any guitar method series. In 2023, he conducted and composed The Proving Ground for the Clark County (NV) School District Honor Guitar Ensemble. In the fall of 2025, he will conduct the Virginia All-State Guitar Ensemble.
He currently teaches at Punahou School in Honolulu, Hawaii, where he directs the Guitar Ensembles, Creative Music Studio, and served as Music Department Head (2005 – 2016). During his time as Department Head, the Punahou Marching Band was in a high profile position and participated in two Tournament of Roses Parades, two Presidential Inauguration Parades and a London New Year's Day Parade. He also led the way in proposing and creating new courses including Hawaiian Music Ensemble, Creative Music Studio, Creativity and Composition, and a complete line of Guitar Ensembles.
In recent years, Darin has worked closely with the Virtual Guitar Orchestra as a co-producer and composer and Teaching Guitar Workshops as a clinician. Most recently with Virtual Guitar Orchestra and the Alaska Native Heritage Center, he connected students to Alaska Native music and Yup’ik composer/singer/dancer Andrew Weaver and together they produced a music video and documentary.
He performs professionally on classical, acoustic, and electric guitars (and some ʻukulele) ranging from classical music to rock and reggae.
In his teaching, Darin encourages student independence, leadership, and autonomy. His students make programming decisions, rehearse themselves, create their own arrangements, and compose and record. In 2022-23, his students composed and recorded an all-original soundtrack for their senior class musical involving over 40 musicians and 350 of their classmates. Bread (Original Cast Recording) can be found on all major music services.
2025 Nevada All-State High School
Mariachi Conductor
High School Mariachi Conductor
Alberto Jiménez
Musician, Arranger, Composer, Director, and Producer
Born in Mexico City, Alberto Jiménez is a distinguished figure in the world of mariachi music. His musical journey began in 1985 when he joined the renowned Mariachi De América, under the leadership of maestro Jesús Rodríguez de Hijar. For two decades, from 1985 to 2005, Jiménez played a pivotal role in this prestigious ensemble, spending the final ten years as its Musical Director. During this time, he collaborated closely with Rodríguez de Hijar, co-producing and arranging three albums (Volumes 1, 2, and 3), leaving an indelible mark on the group's legacy.
Jiménez's extraordinary talent and versatility as a musician made him a sought-after accompanist for some of the most iconic voices in Latin music. He has performed alongside legends such as Lola Beltrán, Rocío Dúrcal, Aida Cuevas, Amalia Mendoza, Lucha Villa, Miguel Aceves Mejía, Vicente Fernández, and Luis Miguel, earning widespread recognition and respect in the industry.
Beyond his performances, Jiménez has played a vital role in promoting mariachi music globally. He has participated in over 18 International Mariachi and Charrería Encounters in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, a festival dedicated to celebrating mariachi traditions. In 2002, his contribution to the documentary "Mariachi: The Spirit of Mexico" helped bring the rich cultural heritage of this genre to a wider audience. Jiménez has also shared his expertise with aspiring musicians, teaching at numerous Mariachi Festivals and Conferences across the United States, including cities like Albuquerque, New Mexico; Chula Vista, California; Wenatchee, Washington; New York City; Tucson, Arizona; and San Antonio, Texas.
In 2006, Jiménez relocated to Los Angeles, where his career reached new heights. He became instrumental in the production and arrangement of music for the Mariachi Divas, a collaboration that resulted in two Grammy Awards and eight nominations, two of which were for his work as a composer. His contributions extended to other musical projects, including the 2017 Disney California Adventure production of "Coco – Plaza de la Familia," where he served as an arranger and musician.
Today, Alberto Jiménez continues to shape the future of mariachi music as a musician, arranger, composer, director, and producer. His unwavering dedication to preserving and advancing the art of mariachi has solidified his position as one of the genre's most influential figures, ensuring that the rich tradition of mariachi continues to thrive for future generations.
2025 Nevada All-State Middle School
Mariachi Conductor
Middle School Mariachi Conductor
Mario Ferrer Jr
Mariachi Senior Advisor” for Weslaco ISD
Mario Ferrer Jr. was born in Weslaco, TX. He attended The University of Texas Pan American and received his bachelor’s degree in 2006. While at the university, Mario was awarded a scholarship with the university mariachi at Pan American and went on to perform at many venues across the country aswell as win many awards at a variety of different mariachi competitions.
In 2000, Mario began playing with world-renowned Mariachi Los Arrieros del Valle. He continues being an integral part of Los Arrieros as a violin player and main vocalist. Throughout his 24 year career with Mariachi Los Arrieros, Mario has played all over the United States and in Mexico. He has also earned many awards, which include 2 American Grammy nominations and 1 Latin Grammy nomination along with the rest of the members of Mariachi Los Arrieros.
Mario Ferrer is going on his 18th year of teaching in South Texas and has attended and taught at many mariachi festivals and workshops throughout the country. He spent 11 years teaching at Edcouch-Elsa, where he was part of 3 state championships as well as 1 national championship for The Edcouch-Elsa Mariachi Juvenil Azteca. He has most recently taken on the role of “Mariachi Senior Advisor” for Weslaco ISD, where he oversees the district’s 4 middle school and 2 high school mariachi programs.