About Música Mariachi
Residential summer music camp || Ages 10-18 ||
An exciting summer music camp for beginner to intermediate-level musicians presented in partnership with the Latino Cultural Arts Center that explores the musical cultures of the Americas.
In 2026, our fifth season, expert faculty Maestros will guide students in the study of Mariachi within a supportive and inspirational environment, to broaden a student’s musical experience and knowledge.
Students who register for this program through one of our partner organizations may be eligible for a partial scholarship.
Partner Organizations
- Latino Cultural Arts Center
- El Sistema Colorado
- Colorado Youth Mariachi
- Upbeat Colorado
- Skyline High School
- Denver East High School
More Info
Tuition and Fees
Tuition (includes lodging and meals):
$1,550
Application Fee:
Early-Bird Deadline: $85 (non-refundable)
After Feb. 15th: $95 (non-refundable)
Optional Fees:
Bedding and bath linens (includes twin fitted and flat sheets, pillowcase, blanket, and a bath towel): $150
Rocky Ridge may be able to rent an instrument for your student, if needed. We typically pass the rental fees (usually less than $100) on to families. Please contact us at rrmc@rockyridge.org or 970-586-4031 if you are interested in this option.
Audition Requirements & Deadlines
No audition is required for this program, although an application must still be submitted through Acceptd.
Location and Address
This summer residential music camp takes place at our Estes Park campus:
465 Longs Peak Rd
Estes Park, CO 80517
Rocky Ridge Music is located near the base of Long’s Peak at Rocky Mountain National Park. It is just off of Highway 7, about 4 miles south of Estes Park and 6 miles north of Allenspark.
From Highway 7, turn west onto Longs Peak Road, which is at mile marker 9. There is a sign there that says, “Longs Peak Area.” Drive about 1/3 mile to our entrance on the right.
Driving from Denver:
From Denver, take I-25 North. Exit onto Highway 66 West. At Lyons, take Highway 7 to Allenspark (left). Total drive time from DIA to RRMC is about 1 1⁄2 hours.
Driving from Northern Colorado:
Driving west on Highway 34, you’ll drive through the Big Thompson Canyon and into Estes Park. At the big intersection, take Highway 7 South.
Daily Schedule
Please check back for 2026’s schedule!
Student and Family Handbook
Please check back for 2026’s Handbook!
COVID-19 Policies
Please see this page for more information.
Música Mariachi FAQ
Will my child have a counselor during this program?
Yes! Counselors are selected from our College Intensive program. Counselors supervise, reside with, and mentor up to eight students during this program.
When should I arrive for this program?
For youth programs, registration will take place until 1 p.m. We will provide lunch and parents are welcome to stay for a brief orientation from 1pm-2pm.
Please call our office (970-586-4031) or email rrmc@rockyridge.org with any questions or concerns.
Where will I live on campus?
Our residential cabins are dorm-style with bunk beds; youth program students will reside with their counselor and 3-6 roommates. Bathhouses with showers are just a short walk away.
Check out our campus building gallery using the button below to see what our residential cabins look like.
Rocky Ridge welcomes and supports all Trans and Non-Binary students. If you are interested in optional alternative housing for your student, please contact us at rrmc@rockyridge.org or 970-586-4031.
Will I receive music in advance?
You may receive music in advance, especially if you are an intermediate student. Rocky Ridge provides Mariachi music books for each student upon arrival.
You do not need to be able to read music to be a student in this program!
Do I need to bring bedding?
Rocky Ridge can provide you with bedding and towels for a $150 fee. Please indicate your interest in this option on your application. Otherwise, you are free to bring your own bedding or sleeping bag and towels.
Rocky Ridge provides each student with a Mariachi tie for the final performance.
Do you screen your teachers before they work one-on-one with my child?
All of our teachers are professionally background-checked. All of our Faculty are fluent in both Spanish and English.
Sign Up
How to Register
Please submit an application through Acceptd, using the link below.
Deadlines
Registration for this program will open on October 15, 2025.
Registration Fee:
Early-Bird Deadline: $85 (non-refundable)
After Feb. 15th: $95 (non-refundable)
Please call our office at 970-586-4031 or email rrmc@rockyridge.org with any questions.
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Faculty
Priscilla Arasaki
Bachelor’s degree in Music Studies from the Butler School of Music at the University of Texas at Austin
Priscilla Arasaki holds a Master’s degree in Music Education from the University of Colorado Boulder and a bachelor’s degree in Music Studies from the Butler School of Music at the University of Texas at Austin. Primarily a violinist, Priscilla has studied with Strelsa Burks, Eugene Gratovich, and Harumi Rhodes. She has received teacher training certification through the Suzuki Association of the Americas with Christie Felsing, Susan Baer, Ed Kreitman, and Mark Mutter.
Priscilla is currently the Orchestra and Mariachi director at Sunset Middle School in the St. Vrain Valley School District. She began teaching Orchestra in Austin, Texas and then moved to Colorado, where she gained an interest in mariachi music and performance. This led her to establish a mariachi program at Skyline High School, and then continue to increase the presence of mariachi ensembles throughout the St. Vrain Valley School District.
Priscilla is also a member of Las Dahlias, an all-female musical group that performs mainly mariachi music. This group has been featured with the Colorado Symphony, performed for Governor Polis’ Inaugural Blue Sneaker Ball, and continues to promote mariachi music throughout the Front Range.
Mari Meza-Burgos
B.A., Metropolitan State University of Denver
Mari Meza-Burgos is an actor, singer and musician from Colorado. Mari has spent most of her life performing music from the the Mexican tradition known as Mariachi. She is currently the lead vocalist and vihuela player for the Colorado-based female Mariachi, Las Dahlias. Mari has also been in many productions at Su Teatro, has worked with Curious Theatre Company, the Colorado and Shakespeare Festival. Mari is a graduate of Metropolitan State University of Denver, where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Music and received her MFA in Theatre, Contemporary Performance from Naropa University. Mari is passionate about extending her knowledge of Mariachi music to youth by providing private lessons in voice and vihuela and serving on the board of directors for Colorado Youth Mariachi Program.
Kris Emanuel
Instruments: Trumpet, Armonia Education: MA in Educational Leadership and Administration from CU Denver, BME in Music Education – Instrumental from MSU Denver and BA in Music from CUNY Hunter.
Meet Kris, a dedicated musician and educator originally from New York City who now calls Colorado home. He loves spending time cycling in the mountains! Kris started playing the trumpet in 4th grade and later switched to the French horn while in college, studying under esteemed professors like Rich Casparie, Alexander George, and Kolio Plachkov.
Kris began his current position as the General Music and Mariachi director at Indian Peaks Elementary in St. Vrain Valley Schools in 2017. His early positions included long term substitute positions as Middle School Orchestra and High School Band directors in Mapleton Public Schools. He also worked in Adams 12 as a General Music Teacher and Elementary Music Coordinator. His passion for music education extends beyond the regular school day. Kris has developed various music clubs, including a Mariachi Band, Guitar Club, Drum Club, Choir, Recorder Club, and Rock Band to serve the special interests of students and the community.
His interest in Mariachi Band came from the community at Indian Peaks Elementary. Kris believes that music educators serve as a conduit to allow students and their community to be seen and represented in the music programs. He wanted to create an ensemble that wasn’t unique for Indian Peaks, but could be continued at the middle and high school levels. He established partnerships with the Mariachi Band directors at Sunset Middle and Niwot High. He is excited to be a part of Rocky Ridge’s Nuestras Raíces: Música Mariachi and looks forward to meeting and supporting the music makers!
William Trevizo, Jr.
Brian Crim
Originally from Grand Junction, Colorado, Brian Crim has been both a music educator and professional musician on the Front Range for over 20 years. He holds degrees from the University of Northern Colorado (B.M. Music Performance, M.M. Music Education) and the University of Colorado Denver (M.Ed. Leadership in Educational Organizations) and is a passionate life-long learner. He currently serves as the director of orchestra and mariachi at Skyline High School in Longmont, where he also serves as the performing arts coordinator. Recently, he was awarded the Eleanor Venture Travel Grant to study mariachi and its importance to Mexican culture in Mexico City.
During his time in SVVSD, his mariachi ensembles have achieved notable success, including performances at the Colorado Music Education Association Conference, Metro State Mariachi Festival and Festival del Sol at Chautauqua. Skyline High School was the first-ever host of a CHSAA Mariachi Festival and has collaborated with many other groups such as Los Coyotes de Uvalde, Out Boulder County, CO-ALAS and the City of Longmont.
A cornerstone of the Skyline mariachi program is cultural stewardship and mariachi education. Mariachi Halcones continually strives to connect with the greater Colorado community and provide impactful and culturally-relevant experiences and opportunities for as many people as possible.
Jennifer Crim
Originally from Eugene, Oregon, Jennifer Crim began playing violin at the age of 10. She studied violin with Richard Fuchs at the University of Northern Colorado, graduating with a Bachelor of Music Education with an emphasis in Violin Performance in 2008. In the fall of 2008, Jennifer began her public school teaching career in the St. Vrain Valley School District where she is currently the director of Orchestras and Mariachis at Longmont High School.
Jennifer enjoys performing with the Fort Collins Symphony and has been a member of the orchestra since 2012. She also loves being a substitute violinist with the Denver based all-female Mariachi Las Dahlias.
As an advocate for music education as well as for emergent bilingual students, Jennifer completed a masters program in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education at the University of Colorado Denver in 2021. She greatly values her students’ diverse funds of knowledge and feels honored to learn from and with them every day. One of Jennifer’s biggest joys is watching her students develop what will hopefully become a lifelong passion for music.
In her free time, Jennifer enjoys hiking, running, paddle boarding, and spending time with her husband, Brian, and their two sons, Owen and William.