Honoring La Joya ISD’s legendary mariachi director

This article features never-published quotes from a 2015 Progress Times interview with Emilio Cantu.

The La Joya school district honored the life and legacy of Emilio Cantu, LJISD’s former mariachi director, who died Jan. 26 at 81 years old.

Cantu devoted almost 40 years to La Joya ISD, where he played a key role in launching what would become an internationally recognized, award-winning mariachi program.

In a 2015 interview, Progress Times asked Cantu to describe mariachi music.

“Mariachi music is,” he paused to gather his thoughts before continuing.

“Mariachi music to me is what I feel in my heart because it’s a part of my culture,” Cantu said. “I try to tell the students to sing from their hearts, don’t just sing lyrics.”

He continued.

“Mariachi music is international, it’s entertaining. I can’t think of the words…musica la cultura,” Cantu said. “It’s an experience that I feel everybody should listen to and experience this music. It hits you right in your soul.”

La Joya’s mariachi program began in 1982, and as far as anyone can remember, it was the first of its kind for high schools in the Rio Grande Valley.

Cantu came to La Joya ISD from Edcouch-Elsa, where he led an estudiantina — a group of guitarists and vocalists. It wasn’t mariachi, but it was close enough, according to a 2022 interview with the Museum of South Texas History and former LJISD Superintendent Miguel de los Santos.

Initially, La Joya ISD used the mariachi program as a dropout prevention tactic, operating the class in the district’s welding room. But as the district grew, the program grew.

Eventually, the students in La Joya ISD’s mariachi ensemble began playing sold-out shows. They played for U.S. presidents and were invited to concerts and festivals overseas and throughout the states. By the 1990s, the once small program had become a success story.

Other RGV districts eventually adopted their own mariachi programs after seeing La Joya ISD’s achievements, including the then-University of Texas-Pan American. The ensembles became significant to Valley culture and education.

In the 2015 interview, Cantu boasted about his students consistently ranking at the top of their classes due to La Joya ISD’s no pass, no play policy. Through the program, the kids learned about discipline, confidence and a strong work ethic.

Beyond high school achievements, the late director explained that mariachi also helps students prepare for life. It provides students with a foundation for higher education and careers, sometimes leading them back to La Joya ISD as adults to pass their mariachi knowledge to younger generations.

Cantu said he took great pride in working alongside former students who returned to teach at La Joya.

“There’s a lot of history, a lot of talent. Actually, a lot of talent throughout the Valley,” Cantu said. “All we need is people that want and are willing to work with these students [and] have the patience to teach them from scratch. They’re so hungry for it, all they need is somebody to guide them.”

The late director briefly retired at the end of the 2006-07 school year but immediately came back to the district in the fall of 2007 to lead the mariachi program at Cesar Chavez Middle School. He then returned to the high school level the following school year.

“I came back because I missed the music and working with the students,” Cantu said. “I love working with the students and doing what I’m doing. I wouldn’t trade it for anything else in the world.”

Even after he retired in 2019, Cantu still wanted to stay in the music education space, according to his eldest daughter Yvette Villarreal, who spoke at the April 22 LJISD board meeting where the district honored the beloved director.

“He loved what he did for many years,” Villarreal said. “And even when he retired, he always wanted to come back. He missed the concerts, he missed the students, he missed everybody. He even wanted to continue teaching the guitar on social media to students that wanted to learn.” 

Even after three decades of success with the La Joya ISD mariachi program, Cantu remained humble. By 2015, he had been with the district for 33 years and still considered himself a student.

“Through the years…I’m still learning,” he said. “It’s a learning process just like anything else. You learn, keep the good, get rid of the stuff that’s not working and keep on trucking.”

Family and friends say Cantu was known for his positivity and perseverance. He was a man of great integrity with an infectious laugh and a love for music.

“At a time when mariachi programs were rare, he helped lay the foundation for what would become one of the most respected and influential mariachi traditions in the Rio Grande Valley and across the state of Texas,” Public Relations & Communications Director Blanca Cantu said. “Mr. Cantu believed deeply in the power of music to give students a sense of identity, pride and belonging.”

Although he was never a professional mariachi himself, Cantu helped produce several generations of mariachis through his teachings.

“I know that this legacy that he has is going to continue,” his eldest daughter said.

At the April 22 recognition of Cantu’s legacy, La Joya ISD also celebrated his family. Superintendent Dr. Marcey Sorensen thanked them for their contributions to the district.

“We know that families make sacrifices when you have a dedicated family member who shows up every single day in La Joya ISD, and is building a program from the ground up,” the superintendent said to Cantu’s wife and kids. “So thank you for your service for allowing La Joya ISD to have Mr. Cantu as a visionary.”

The district will host a tree planting ceremony in honor of Emilio Cantu and the late Dr. Maria Filomena Leo May 14 at 10 a.m. at the Central Office Administration Building.