Mariachi Costa de Oro

welcome.jpg (11103 bytes)

name.jpg (4482 bytes)

Mariachi Costa de Oro sprang from a dream by Ramon Rivera .

In 2002, Mr. Rivera applied for a grant to support a Mariachi Class for adults.

The class was taught at Ventura Community College and when the term ended many of the

students decided to stay together to form a band. They practiced twice weekly under the direction

of Mr. Rivera and quickly began to perform in a variety of venues in Ventura County.

In addition to directing Mariachi Costa de Oro and often performing with his family in Mariachi Camarillo,

Mr. Rivera taught Mariachi Music in four area schools and produced many area programs and festivals

with the help of his wife, Carmen, who also played violin with Mariachi Costa de Oro.

After receiving a number of awards, including:

the El Concilio del Condado de Ventura Latino Leadership Award for Cultural Arts,

Mexican American Political Forum of Ventura County, the Diego de Barboza and Musical Excellence Awards,

Mr. Rivera was offered a teaching position in Wenatchee, Washington, in the fall of 2005.

The loss of Mr. and Mrs. Rivera was a difficult blow to Mariachi Costa de Oro but the group

has managed to stay together and continue performing. Mr. Rivera's brother, Dominic Rivera

has been teaching the group new music and increased stage-presence and performance skills.

Mariachi Costa de Oro is a nonprofit organization focused on the performance of Mariachi music,

with the goal of educating, sharing, and celebrating the music and culture of Mexico.

The group works with and supports Mr. Javier Gomez and the Inlakech Cultural Arts Center

In Oxnard. Mr. Gomez is an accomplished musican, dancer, actor and playwright.

He and his wife have devoted years of service to the teaching, without charge, of children and adults,

and people of all ethnicities, the cultural arts of Mexico.

Click to hear Timoteo singing: El Rey

Jars images from the The Archaeo Art Gallery by J. Q. Jacobs