Our Story: It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that we announce the untimely passing of our founder Maestro Gabriel Zavala. He succumbed to complications from Covid 19 and died on Friday February  26th. He fought a courageous battle until the end and remained optimistic that he could reopen his beloved Mariachi Academy RHYTHMO after state mandated closures last March. Gabriel Zavala hailed from Acambaro, Guanajuato Mexico. Maestro, as he is known to his students, emigrated to the USA in 1964. A self-taught musician, Maestro formed Los Siete Hermanos Zavala in Anaheim, Ca. Members included all seven brothers. They enjoyed local celebrity status for about 10 years. Maestro’s love of Mariachi music eventually led him to form a non profit organization called: RHYTHMO MARIACHI ACADEMY.  For over 20 years Maestro has taught thousands of children the ancient art of Mariachi music. Several of Rhythmo’s alumni are now playing in professional groups. The 501 c3 non profit is also responsible for a handful of splinter mariachi programs in the greater orange county area. Maestro's final wishes were that his family and friends would continue his legacy and reopen the program when state restrictions were eventually lifted. Oliver Zavala, the co-founder of the academy, will assume the  leadership role going forward. He studied and played alongside his father for over 20 years and will keep his legacy and program alive. Music programs are desperately needed in every community and RHYTHMO has provided a safe artistic outlet for the youths of Orange County Ca for 20 years. Many children have been confined to home learning for close to a year now and need a music program that they can attend in person so they regain the pride and passion they had for live music. Please help us by putting instruments of hope into the hands of our children.  RHYTHMO  Needs Your Help Reopening Our Doors: We are optimistic that with the Pandemic receding and the gradual lifting of government restrictions, a reopen date is on the horizon. However, this is where your assistance is needed. The cost of having our doors closed has put us in a deep hole financially. Our fixed costs alone (i.e. rent, property taxes, utilities, and insurance) average over $4,000 per month (even when we’re closed). Unfortunately, we now find ourselves humbly reaching out to you, our valued friends, patrons and supporters to help us through these challenging times. What Will Donations Be Used For? Funds from this campaign will directly cover fixed monthly expenses, paying our instructors, some necessary reopening operational costs, and further enhancements to our vital Covid19 health and safety measures for our staff and guests. Our current fundraising goal will allow us to reopen and will supplement our costs for 1 year. We are optimistic that with vaccines, general business growth and your continued support, our pandemic related financial woes will be behind us, Thank You.

Richardson Nicolasa

Ilean Sanchez

Anonymous

Alfred Cruz

Lydia dw los Rios

Gloria Rodriguez

Brian Williams

Lynda Stertz

Kory Griggs

Amy Shrack

Brandon Kelley

Karen Hernandez

James Scott

Joan Jorge

Rhythmo Mariachi Academy

Rhythmo Mariachi Academy

Still $72,007 to go. Help us build momentum.