The mariachi factory

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Thirty years ago, the Boyle-Cummings Hotel housed many Mariachi musicians, and in bunches---four or five muscians would squeeze into a studio apartment.

These days Mariachis no longer live in the hotel. But the music's singular sound still waft through the hotel, though nowadays they come from a conference room that doubles as a classroom.

Jose Valdez, the music teacher, has partnered with La Organizicion de Mariachis Unidos to teach aspiring Mariachis the chords of "Que Bonito Amor" and the high notes of "El Columpio."

Students pay $20 a week for three two-hour sessions.

Two of those students, Nubia Gutierrez and Mayra Rodriguez, were born in the United States, but they use the class as a reminder of their roots and as a way to keep their tradition alive.