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by Letty Fernandez<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS \u2013\u00a0<\/strong>The UTRGV Mariachi Aztl\u00e1n and the Ballet Folkl\u00f3rico are planning a summer tour to showcase outstanding and award-winning ensembles across Texas, New Mexico and Colorado.<\/p>\n Before they depart, though,\u00a0both ensembles will perform in a Summer Tour Kickoff Concert, 3 p.m. Saturday, July 7, at the UTRGV Performing Arts Complex. The concert will feature the new all-female Mariachi Az\u00e1lea, with Mariachi Aztl\u00e1n and the Ballet Folkl\u00f3rico.<\/p>\n The UTRGV Mariachi Aztl\u00e1n and the Ballet Folkl\u00f3rico will conduct\u00a0workshops and\u00a0performances from July 8 \u2013 16\u00a0<\/sup>in Floresville, Texas; Albuquerque, New Mexico; and Greely and Lone Tree, Colorado.<\/p>\n \u201cThese performances and workshops, presented by both ensembles, will promote UTRGV, celebrate cultural heritage, showcase our talented students across three states and several cities, and recruit students nationwide to our Fine Arts programs, \u201c said Dr. Dahlia Guerra, assistant vice president for Public Art.<\/p>\n Guerra said many of the students who attend the workshops and performances are first-generation Americans of Hispanic descent and are inspired by the UTRGV Mariachi Aztl\u00e1n and Ballet Folkl\u00f3rico to be empowered by their culture and to seek higher education.<\/p>\n UTRGV student Nathan Garcia, of Odessa, Texas, first experienced a workshop by Mariachi Azt\u00e1n in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 2011, when he was in high school.<\/p>\n \u201cSince I first saw Mariachi Aztl\u00e1n perform in Albuquerque, I knew then that I wanted to go to a university where I could study and also perform the music that I love,\u201d he said. \u201cI will be the first in my family to graduate from college, and I also had the opportunity to perform with the best mariachi ensemble in the nation.\u201d<\/p>\n