Cesar Maldonado on the roots of Mariachi Herencia de México

February 18, 2026

Listen to a conversation with Cesar Maldonado, founder and artistic director of Mariachi Herencia de México. Based in Chicago, the ensemble grew out of the Mariachi Heritage Foundation, a nonprofit organization devoted to preserving and advancing mariachi music through youth education.

Founded in 2016, Mariachi Herencia de México has evolved from a student project into a dynamic ensemble of young virtuosos, blending deep respect for tradition with a vibrant, contemporary energy. Their 2017 debut album topped Latin music streaming charts and earned a Latin Grammy nomination — a remarkable achievement for a group born out of a community education program. Since then, they’ve released multiple acclaimed recordings, received a second Latin Grammy nomination, and toured extensively across North America, bringing mariachi music to major stages and inspiring a new generation of performers. 

Mariachi Herencia de México performs in Indiana February 19 at the Indiana University Auditorium in Bloomington, and February 20 at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel.