Executive & Artistic Director
Thor Steingraber
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Mariachi Herencia de México
With Special Guest Leonardo Aguilar
La Nueva Generación Tour
A Mexican Dynasty and a New Generation of Mariachi
Fri | Sept 26 8pm
Run time: approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes, including a 20-minute intermission
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Mariachi Herencia de México | Leonardo Aguilar
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Program
¡Viva el mariachi! A new generation takes mariachi to whole new heights — two-time Latin GRAMMY® nominee Mariachi Herencia de México pushes the boundaries of traditional mariachi music. Simultaneously honoring the past, celebrating the present, and creating the future of mariachi music, Mariachi Herencia de México presents an electrifying and unforgettable night of Mexican music and culture.
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Songs will be announced from the stage.
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Musicians
Diego Casasola | Violin
Maria Casasola | Violin
Simon Casasola | Violin
Jose Duenas | Violin
Enoc Guerrero | Violin
Cesar Ramirez | Violin
Julio Torres | Violin
Edwin Perez | Guitar
Alejandro Vazquez | Guitar
Martin Ortiz | Guitarron
Jesus Orozco | Vihuela
Eduardo Viveros | Harp
Jose Gonzalez | Trumpet
Alejandro Gutierrez | Trumpet
Felipe Michel | Trumpet
César Maldonado | Producer
Join the Journey:
2025–26 Season at The Soraya
Each Soraya season is a journey. A word that suggests many meanings, a journey can be far from the here and now, an exploration of what’s new or novel, a return to timeless themes and ideas that are affirming beyond being familiar.
When we imagine this journey, a year or more in the planning, you are always on our minds — the many audiences from the Valley and beyond, with varied tastes and interests, unique cultures and communities, and a wide range of life experience.
The 2025–26 Season journeys farther than any previous: the nightlife of Lisbon, Buenos Aires, and Mexico City; the daily life of West Africa; the spiritual realms of Alice Coltrane and Duke Ellington; the masterworks of Brahms and the megahits of Quincy Jones; and much more.
Program Note
Mariachi Herencia de México is one of those ensembles we’ve been tracking closely for years, looking for the best opportunity to fit them into our schedule. This tour, with Leonardo Aguilar, provided exactly that. Not only is Herencia an excellent ensemble, but they are also actively training the next generation of mariachi artists and ensuring a future for Mexican culture and music here in the United States, work that is important now more than ever.
At The Soraya, we also strive to introduce new generations to world-class mariachi performances. Before the evening performance, we presented two student matinees of Herencia to San Fernando Valley K–12 students, and we live streamed the concert into classrooms to reach an even greater number of students. That special one-hour miniconcert (without Mr. Aguilar) will also be available to all Soraya ticket holders from the past few years. We know that there are many fans who would enjoy experiencing Mariachi Herencia de México from their homes.
Gratefully,
Thor Steingraber
Executive and Artistic Director,
Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts
Mariachi Herencia de México
The historic tradition of mariachi music has its roots of origin in cities such as Guadalajara and Mexico City. As the ever-evolving genre’s influence spread, it reached Chicago and birthed Mariachi Herencia de México. The two-time Latin GRAMMY-nominated band has issued five chart-topping albums and has performed across North America paving the way for a new generation of mariachi musicians. Nuestra Herencia, their 2017 debut album, topped the Latin streaming charts and earned the band their first Latin GRAMMY nomination for Best Ranchero/Mariachi Album. 2018’s Herencia de la Tierra Mía and the two-volume series Esencia and Esencia, Vol. 2, issued in 2019 and 2020, respectively, charted atop all major streaming platforms and industry charts. In 2022, Herederos appeared as the band was performing a wildly successful North American tour. Herederos received a 2023 Latin GRAMMY nomination for Best Ranchero/Mariachi Album. The band recently released their sixth album, Viva La Música. The young, virtuosic band is composed of 15 musicians, ages 18–32, representing a new bicultural generation in the U.S.
Leonardo Aguilar
Leonardo Aguilar, a prominent figure in the illustrious Aguilar dynasty, is redefining the landscape of Mexican regional music. As a celebrated singer, songwriter, and producer, his multifaceted talents have earned him prestigious nominations for the Latin GRAMMYs and Premios Lo Nuestro®. His hit single “Bandido de Amores,” a heartfelt tribute to the legendary Joan Sebastian, dominated the regional Mexican charts, capturing the hearts of listeners nationwide. Aguilar’s collaboration with Becky G and his sister Ángela Aguilar on “Por el Contrario” became an instant viral sensation, securing the top spot on the Latin Pop charts and showcasing his versatility and broad appeal. Adding to his impressive repertoire, he is a key performer in the dynamic Jaripeo Hasta Los Huesos tour, which pays homage to the rich tradition of the Day of the Dead. Offstage, Leonardo’s passion for ranch life and jaripeo shines through, grounding him in his cultural roots and fueling his artistic inspiration. With his powerful voice, creative vision, and deep connection to his heritage, Leonardo is not just a rising star, but a force to be reckoned with in the world of Mexican music.
The Soraya
The Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts (The Soraya/Producer) is an award-winning, state-of-the-art 1,700-seat theater that opened in 2011 as the Valley Performing Arts Center. Through a transformative gift by Younes and Soraya Nazarian, the venue was renamed The Soraya in 2017. The Soraya is located on the campus of California State University, Northridge, the intellectual and cultural heart of the San Fernando Valley.
Executive and Artistic Director Thor Steingraber, in his 12th year leading the organization, sums up what makes The Soraya a central piece of Los Angeles arts and culture. “At The Soraya, we hold a high standard of excellence for every performance from a vast array of artistic disciplines, and we hold steadfast to our commitment to the value and impact of the performing arts in community-building, for the Valley’s 1.8 million residents and beyond.”
The Soraya’s 2025–26 Season is a journey through the expansive sounds of orchestras, the freestyle vibes of jazz, the innovations of dance luminaries, and a vast array of global voices. The Soraya continues its vigorous commitment to excelling, innovating, and amplifying access for Valley residents, students, and arts lovers across Southern California.