SAN ANTONIO — Anfernie remembers the first time he ever saw a conjunto group perform. 

“Ricky Narajano y Los Gamblers,” Anfernie said, setting up his accordion. “It was awesome, like wicked.” 

It’s what convinced him to pick up an accordion at 5. He’s 15 now. He’s honing his skills at Conjunto Heritage Taller, a San Antonio nonprofit created to instruct and preserve the conjunto culture. 

Conjunto is Mexican American music influenced by German immigrants in the 19th century when they introduced the accordion to complement the genre. It’s what birthed Tejano music. 

Anfernie is learning from Bene Medina, a legendary 84-year-old accordionist. 

“People always ask, 'How many students have you taught?' I say, 'Well, I think it’s over 1,000 or more,'” Medina said. 

For the first time this summer, his students won’t have to worry about paying for classes or searching for the funds to purchase an instrument. Everything is provided for free.  

Data shows that 25.7% of children under 18 in San Antonio live in poverty. Studies have shown low-income families can’t afford private music lessons, so kids likely won’t pick up an instrument until about middle school. 

Middle school mariachi teacher Augustine Ortiz says that was the case for him growing up. 

“I was scared for my mom. We were on a single parent type of budget, so I didn’t even know if I was going to be able to take one home or if there was a fee,” Ortiz said. 

Ortiz was recently named teacher of the year at Edgar Allen Poe, a STEM dual-language middle school on San Antonio’s East Side. 

He says once students are exposed to the music, they stick around and there’s district data to back that. 

“We have to make sure that music education is available to every community, and it’s equitable for everybody,” Ortiz said. 

He says it connects students closer to their cultural roots and Anfernie agrees. 

“Some of the songs I play, which are all Ruben Naranjo, and that’s just keeping the legacy alive,” Anfernie said. 

He’s creating his own legacy through his band he formed with his instructors, “Fern Y Su Conjunto.”

“I want to expand it, not only conjunto, but Tejano, oldies and just a bunch of other topics,” Anfernie said.