The B-Town (Burien) Blog

Student musicians to gather in Burien Tuesday, May 12 for Encuentro de Mariachi Puget Sound
2026-05-12 09:00 - 15:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Highline Performing Arts Center, 401 S. 152nd Street, Burien, WA, 98148, United States
Burien will host a regional mariachi music festival on Tuesday, May 12, as middle and high school students from across the Seattle area gather for a day of workshops, collaboration and performance at the Highline Performing Arts Center (HPAC).
The Encuentro de Mariachi Puget Sound will take place at the HPAC May 12 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Organizers said students will participate in hands-on workshops, learn new repertoire and deepen their understanding of mariachi music throughout the day.

Students also will work together in sectionals before taking part in a combined performance showcasing the music they learned during the festival.
According to organizers, the event is designed to celebrate the tradition of mariachi music while helping students build musical skills and strengthen community connections with peers from schools around the region.
“The Encuentro de Mariachi Puget Sound aims to create a space for students to learn, collaborate, and step into their roles as future ambassadors of Mariachi,” event organizer Gabriela Olivarez said.
The festival is presented through a collaboration among:

Highline Public Schools
Orquesta Northwest
University of Washington
Pacific Lutheran University
Washington Association of Mariachi Educators

Organizers said the participating organizations are committed to expanding access to culturally-relevant music education opportunities for students throughout the region.
The event will be held at the Highline Performing Arts Center (map below).
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