About the South Texas Music & Cultural Arts Foundation
Who We Are
Our mission is to preserve, promote, and celebrate the cultural heritage of South Texas and the Rio Grande Valley, including the music of the mariachi genre; and to create opportunities to empower local artists, musicians, authors, and performers through research, study, exhibition, and performance.
Our Inspiration
Empowering our community through the beauty and power of the Arts. Celebrating the synergy and interconnectedness between the different artistic genres, including classical and folk music.
Our Goals
Become a hub for promoting arts and cultural appreciation in our culturally diverse community
Spark creativity and build lasting connections with community participants and nonprofit organizations through impactful and inclusive arts initiatives
Enhance the lives of individuals for South Texas through initiatives that celebrates cultural richness
Our Programming
Music Consulting Consortium
Mariachi Education and Research
Advocacy for the Arts: Musicians, Artists, Authors
Public Concerts and Workshops
Student Scholarships
Resource Center for Mariachi Networking
Dahlia Guerra
Founder and CEO
Dr. Dahlia Guerra, pianist and retired professor in the School of Music at UTRGV, is a native of Edinburg, Texas. Much of Guerra’s work has been based on preserving cultural strengths and traditions to empower a diverse student body, leading to a strong record of success as an educator in South Texas.
She is the founder of Mariachi Aztlán, a nationally award-winning student ensemble and FESTIBA (Festival of International Books and Arts), celebrating the arts and humanities while promoting literacy in South Texas.
Artists in Residence
Creative Writing Community Advisor
Music Consultants
Friends and Collaborators
Click on the button below to see events hosted by our friends and collaborators!
Downtown San Juan Cultural Arts District
UTRGV College of Fine Arts and UTRGV ARTS
Creative Arts Studios; ToGive International
30th Annual Mariachi Extravaganza
December 5-7, 2024 in San Antonio, Texas
Knapp Community Care Foundation
South Texas Literacy Coalition
Mayor Joe V. Sanchez Public Library
Musical Living Academy
Latest Blog Posts:
“The Value of Recitals and Performances: Why They Matter”
“Embracing a Growth Mindset Through Music Education”
The City of Edinburg and the
South Texas Music and Cultural Arts Foundation
Present
Celebrating the Women Pioneers and Icons of La Canción Ranchera
empowering women in mariachi:
Lucha Reyes, Amalia Mendoza,
Lola Beltrán, Lucha Villa, and
AÍDA CUEVAS
La Reina de la Música Ranchera
Recipient of the Second Annual
South Texas Mariachi Hall of Fame
With Clinicians and Special Guests:
Alberto “Beto” Jiménez Maeda, Jonathan D. Clark, Josué “Eddy” López, Antonio “Tony” Zúñiga, Nereida García, Vanessa Alonzo, and Mariachi Aztlán with Chamber Orchestra
April 18, 2026 at 6 p.m.
Edinburg Arts and Cultural Events Center (Edinburg ACE)
2026 South Texas Mariachi Hall of Fame Inductee
Aída Cuevas
La Reina de la Música Ranchera
Induction Presentation by
Jonathan D. Clark
Mariachi Historian
Sponsorship Opportunities Available!
South Texas Music & Cultural Arts Foundation 