MECKLENBURG COUNTY, N.C. — With a history dating back to the 1700s in Mexico, mariachi music is a huge part of Hispanic heritage.
What You Need To Know
Mariachi music is a unique style of music from Mexico, made up of a small group of musicians, typically with string instruments, a trumpet and singers
A large part of Hispanic heritage, mariachis are traditional for a range of celebrations including weddings, birthdays and even baptisms
Noemi Silvestre, who created Mariachi Perla Tapatia, says the music unites all Hispanics from different countries
The music has a range of emotions, joy, sadness, revenge and love
"It unifies all Hispanics no matter what country they are from — Guatemala, Puerto Rico, Colombia, Mexico — we are all one when it comes to enjoying mariachi music," said Noemi Silvestre, the lead singer and manager of Mariachi Perla Tapatia.
Silvestre was born into music. Her parents were famous singers in Mexico, and she shared the stage with her mother, singing since she was a little girl.
"It's my passion. I have dedicated my entire life to singing," Silvestre said.
In 2001, Silvestre moved from L.A. to Hickory, North Carolina. The closest mariachi band she could find was 100 miles away in Greensboro. For years she was part of smaller mariachi bands and did singing for local establishments and events. She says after 15 years, she finally got the confidence to start her own mariachi band.
She found all the members one by one, including her husband, and Mariachi Perla Tapatia was born.
"It was all worth it, all those years because this music really touches people. People tell me all the time the emotions it brings up, joy, sadness, revenge, and love. When they hear this music they tell me, immigrants who have been here for years and years, they tell me it transports them back to their home country, to a time long long ago, and they like that nostalgia," Silvestre said.