The Tucson Community honors the legacy of Dr. Alfredo Valenzuela in Mariachi Education

In front of a  loving community,  attended by friends, family, community leaders, and dignitaries, all of whom  came to celebrate Dr. V’s enduring legacy of  mariachi education, a bronze statue of Dr. Valenzuela, affectionately known as “Dr. V,” was recently unveiled at the northeast corner of Davis Bilingual School in Tucson, where he founded the Aguilitas Mariachi program. All the funding was raised through community efforts.

Created by Tucson artist Luis Gustavo Mena, the statue stands as a tribute to Dr. V’s transformative contributions to mariachi education. Dr. Valenzuela has pioneered a “Mariachi Education Revolution,” which has not only introduced elementary school students to the vibrant world of mariachi music but also instilled in them a deep appreciation for their heritage, history, and the Spanish language. His work emphasizes the importance of duty to both country and community, fostering a sense of pride and responsibility among young students. Mayor Regina Romero declared August 10th, Dr. Alfredo Valenzuela’a Day and the Chair of the Pima County Board, Adelita Grijalva issued a proclamation to celebrate this day in his honor. Dr. Alfredo Valenzuela’s efforts and those of his sons, daughter, grand-daugthers  and the whole Valenzuela family, have sown the seeds for a new generation of mariachis in Tucson’s public schools, ensuring that this rich cultural tradition continues to thrive across the USA.