Students from John C. Fremont Professional Development Middle School will be demonstrating the instrumentation and style of an ethnic music program with a focus on Mariachi Music. Mr. Avila will share his knowledge of building a successful program by making a cultural connection to the students and families of diverse backgrounds. The outcome of this session will be for music directors and teachers to have foundational knowledge, resources and desire (ganas) to start their own program.
Donato Avila
- Biographical Information
Born on an Army base in Hinesville, GA and raised in Corpus Christi, Tx Donato Albert Avila has always had a love for music. Starting with his inspiring middle and high school Band Directors he was taught to love and appreciate music. He attended Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi majoring in Music Education, knowing all the while he wanted to change lives through music. In 2009 an amazing opportunity presented itself. He was offered a Teaching position with the Clark County School district and accepted a position at Fremont Middle School and established the amazing Mariachi Azul. In the past twelve years he has co-chaired the Clark County School District Honor Mariachi, organized various fundraisers and exponentially grew Fremont MIddle School’s Mariachi Program to include an additional licensed teacher. Albert has led his Mariachi Azul to perform at various community events in Las Vegas performing for Mayor Carolyn Goodman, Santana, and many others. Mariachi Azul has also competed regionally and nationally. In early 2019 Albert had the honor of being appointed the Mariachi Chair of the Nevada Music Educators Association (NMEA). In the summer of 2019 Mr. Avila was named “Community Member of the Year'' by the NBA Summer League, an organization which has invited his students to perform during NBA Summer League events. In 2020 Mr. Avila was awarded the Heart of Education award by the Roger’s Foundation. With all of these awards and accomplishments Mr. Avila is always growing and learning, taking his program to the next level.
Natalie Candido was born in Las Vegas, NV in 1996. She graduated high school from Las Vegas Academy of the Performing Arts in 2013. She attended the College of Southern Nevada. She started teaching at John C. Fremont Professional Development Middle School in 2016. She has helped transform the mariachi program and has helped it grow to what it is today.