Student mariachi groups from across the San Antonio area will come together Saturday to celebrate culture, heritage, and music.

The annual Diez y Seis Mariachi Festival has been hosted by the Diez y Seis de Septiembre Commission for over 20 years.

The commission works with Mariachi and Music Programs from various schools, which use funds from their performances to support music education.

The festival will feature performances from 15 school mariachi groups from both middle and high schools.

Among the participants is the mariachi ensemble from SAISD’s Mark Twain Dual Language Academy, made up of dedicated 7th- and 8th-grade students who have been rehearsing for months to prepare.

“It makes me feel proud of my heritage,” said Isabella Gonzalez, an 8th grader at Twain. “It makes me feel

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