This episode is brought to you by the NCRTD Blue Bus.

This month on “Voices of Taos,” assistant editor Ellen Miller-Goins sits down with Rachel Leon, founder of Communities of Questa Mariachi, a non profit that offers accessible music education and cultural enrichment for youth in Northern New Mexico.

Rachel started Communities of Questa Mariachi in 2025 after retiring from teaching. Thanks in part to a grant from the LOR Foundation, the group welcomes students ages 10 and up free of charge. She started the group to help preserve the tradition of mariachi music in Northern New Mexico and to provide music lessons to students who may not be able to afford private classes.

Miller-Goins and Leon talk about Rachel’s experience growing up around mariachi music, the challenges involved in running a non-profit organization, and what inspires her to keep teaching music. They also talk about how the program helps foster confidence and pride for the students involved, and how the group has been welcomed by Questa locals.

To get involved, call 575-779-0565 or find the group on Facebook.

Subscribe to the Taos News

This episode is brought to you by the <a href="https://www.ncrtd.org/">NCRTD Blue Bus</a>.
This month on &ldquo;Voices of Taos,&rdquo; assistant editor Ellen Miller-Goins sits down with Rachel Leon, founder of Communities of Questa Mariachi, a non profit that offers accessible music education and cultural enrichment for youth in Northern New Mexico.
Rachel started Communities of Questa Mariachi in 2025 after retiring from teaching. Thanks in part to a grant from the LOR Foundation, the group welcomes students ages 10 and up free of charge. She started the group to help preserve the tradition of mariachi music in Northern New Mexico and to provide music lessons to students who may not be able to afford private classes.
Miller-Goins and Leon talk about Rachel&rsquo;s experience growing up around mariachi music, the challenges involved in running a non-profit organization, and what inspires her to keep teaching music. They also talk about how the program helps foster confidence and pride for the students involved, and how the group has been welcomed by Questa locals.
To get involved, call 575-779-0565 or <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/24530382523270337/">find the group on Facebook</a>.
<a href="https://www.taosnews.com/subscribe/">Subscribe to the Taos News</a>

Join us for a new podcast from award winning weekly newspaper, The Taos News. Every week on Saturday we'll release a new episode featuring a voice from our Taos community. We'll cover the arts, current events, and sports on different episodes hosted by our talented reporting staff.

Join us for a new podcast from award winning weekly newspaper, The Taos News. Every week on Saturday we'll release a new episode featuring a voice from our Taos community. We'll cover the arts, current events, and sports on different episodes hosted by our talented reporting staff.

Voices of Taos

Want to know what's happening in Taos? Tune into the new podcast from award winning weekly newspaper, The Taos News! Voices of Taos will inspire you with the voices of our Taos community.

Want to know what's happening in Taos? Tune into the new podcast from award winning weekly newspaper, The Taos News! Voices of Taos will inspire you with the voices of our Taos community.