Chacala, Nayarit - Something magical and musical is coming to the heart of Riviera Nayarit, in the crown jewel village of Chacala-by-the-sea, a relaxing fishing village 50 miles north of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

The Chacala Mariachi Institute is set to take place June 11-19, 2016 at Mar de Jade Resort in Chacala, Nayarit. The Chacala Cultural Foundation is thrilled to bring you the details of the special music program coming to Chacala this June.

It is an intensive 8 day course that provides music teachers and college music education majors the training and materials necessary to become successful mariachi educators. The curriculum is comprised of mariachi history, master classes on all of the traditional mariachi instruments, full-ensemble rehearsal, and an exploration of mariachi repertoire tailored for education settings.

The innovative structure of the Chacala Mariachi Institute provides participants both the hands-on experience performing mariachi music and the conceptual knowledge needed to teach mariachi at the highest level in American and Mexican schools.

Jeff Nevin PhD will lead musicians through a journey of discovery into the art and history of traditional mariachi music. Nevin is a Professor of Music and the Director of Mariachi Activities at Southwestern College in Chula Vista, California, where he devised and is has offering the world's first college degree in mariachi music since 2004.

One of the most respected mariachi educators in the country, Dr. Nevin is also professional classical trumpet player, conductor of the Southwestern College Symphony Orchestra, life-long mariachi musician, composer, author and clinician.

He composed the world's first Concerto for Mariachi and Orchestra (together with José Hernandez) for Mariachi Sol de México, a classical song cycle "Al aire libre" based on the poetry of Alberto Blanco; numerous arrangements for mariachi and orchestra for his ensemble Mariachi Champaña Nevin as well as many for Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán. His works have been performed by dozens of professional symphony orchestras across the US and Mexico.

This is the first program of the Chacala Cultural Foundation to offer college credit! We believe it is another excellent way in which Chacala is being put on the map as the emerging cultural capital of the Riviera Nayarit, offering quality performance and cross-cultural learning opportunities.

Please join us for an informal fandango exposé by the attendees of the Institute on Saturday, June 18, 2016. ¡Ay ay ay!