More than six decades after redefining youth mariachi and Mexican cultural pride in Tucson, Los Changuitos Feos is being inducted into the Tucson Musicians Museum, a milestone recognizing the group’s enduring influence on the city’s musical identity.

The first youth mariachi group of its kind, Los Changuitos Feos paved the way for countless young people to connect with mariachi music and Mexican culture, shaping not only Tucson and Arizona’s musical landscape, but the country’s as well.

After 61 years, Los Changuitos Feos will celebrate their induction into the museum with a ceremony Sunday, an event honoring both their past and their future.

The induction ceremony will take place at El Casino Ballroom, where current Changuitos will open the event with a 2:30 p.m. performance. Other artists recognized during the event include Brent Kort, Leslie Stirm, Gene Ruley, Jim Travis and Ray Vidal.

“This is a big honor and everybody who was ever affiliated with Los Changuitos Feos should be proud because this induction is not just for this current performing group now, but for everybody who has been involved in Los Changuitos Feos for the past 60 years,” said Chango alum Lulu Olivares Arvayo, the group’s musical instructor assistant and mother of two current Changuitos.

The award represents a culmination of decades of resilience, community investment and belief in the next generation of musicians.

Mariachi icons such as Linda Ronstadt, John C. Contreras — who worked with Los Changos — and Adalberto C. Gallegos — who was a Chango — have already been recognized individually by TMM.

“It is pretty telling that members that have been inducted came from Los Changuitos Feos,” Chango alumna Carmen Caballero said. “That’s a testament to the type of talent that has come out of the group, and will hopefully continue to come out of it.”

The Tucson Musicians Museum, founded in 2007, honors the people and groups that have shaped Tucson’s musical identity. Its inductees represent a range of genres, including symphony, jazz, hip-hop and mariachi. Its mission includes uplifting underprivileged and at-risk youth and nurturing the next generation of musicians.

For TMM board member and treasurer Liz Walter, Los Changuitos Feos’ induction is long overdue.

“They deserve to have such great recognition,” Walter said. “Not only do they produce excellent music and support the community, they are really active in teaching kids. They fit right into our mission.”

That mission centers on both preserving Tucson’s musical history and investing in its future. TMM partners with schools, music stores and academies to connect aspiring young musicians with opportunities that help them explore their potential.

Los Changuitos Feos’ legacy has always been about more than music, it’s a place where young people gain confidence, cultural pride, community and a musical education with skills they carry long after graduating from the group.

Founded in 1964, Los Changuitos Feos became the country’s first youth mariachi group with a scholarship model, keeping kids out of trouble and offering them opportunities to pursue higher education.

“I can't picture that when this organization came to fruition 60 years ago, that they thought it would last this long,” Caballero said. “And it's pretty amazing that it has.”

The group gave Mexican American youth space to explore their heritage proudly through music and community. Caballero, who joined in the 1990s, said the experience reshaped her connection to language and identity.

She grew up attending a predominately Anglo school, where she felt she had to leave her family’s language and culture at home.

“Growing up… I didn’t want to stand out even more by speaking Spanish or acting Mexican,” Caballero said. “Getting involved with the mariachi helped me realize it’s a great thing that I can embrace two different cultures. I’m not less than because of my ethnicity.”

The group’s long history hasn’t come without challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic nearly shuttered the organization, forcing the Chango community to rebuild membership, funding and support. A strong network of alumni and community members helped keep the group alive.

Today, alumni, parents and community members continue to serve as board members, instructors and volunteers.

“It's just been a really awesome experience to have more of the community be supportive,” said Karina McCune, treasurer of Los Changuitos Feos. “To make it to the museum was just a wonderful reward. All of the efforts that a lot of people are making have made this group resurface stronger.”

Organizers say the group’s induction into the museum underscores why investing in youth musicians is essential — not only to create a thriving musical scene that celebrates Tucson’s diverse cultures and communities, but to help shape well-rounded individuals.

“We really want these kids to do well not just in mariachi, but just in their overall academics so that they can go on and be successful in whatever they choose to continue in their lives,” Arvayo said.

Susan Barnett is a freelance journalist in Tucson and a University of Arizona alum. Contact her at SBarnett.journalism@gmail.com.

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