Olga Guzman-Flores

Justin Enriquez

 Biography

Justin Enriquez born in Tucson, began his musical career at the age of 4 learning classical guitar in the Suzuki Method under the instruction of Mr. John Torrejon at the University of Arizona.  At the age of 8, he joined the Tucson Arizona Boys Chorus where he traveled extensively and studied voice until age 15 under the supervision of Dr. Julian Ackerley and Mr. Richard Crule.  Later, as a sophomore at Tucson High Magnet School, Justin entered the Mariachi scene by enrolling in Mariachi Rayos del Sol with Ms. Lucy Huestis as his instructor.  At about the same time, he also joined a youth mariachi called Estrellitas de Oro where he learned vihuela and guiterron from Ariel Cramer.  Upon graduating from THMS, Justin played with various mariachis such as Mariachi Corazon de Oro, Mariachi Arizona, Mariachi San Agustin, Mariachi Diablos del Sol de ASU, Mariachi Aguila de Marcelino Cervantes and Mariachi La Fuente.

            Justin credits most of his mariachi knowledge and experience to Mariachi Tierra del Sol de Jaime Ballesteros, with whom he played from 2001- 2005, learning from various musicians such as David Gill, Patrick Bracamonte, Juan Aguilar and John Aldecoa.  However, Justin’s passion for mariachi music was kindled by Nati Cano, director of Mariachi Los Camperos, having worked with them since 2003 as an instructor at the Tucson International Mariachi Conference.

            Before accepting the position as co-director of Los Changuitos Feos with Olga Flores, Justin served as an instructor for one semester at Mission Manor Elementary School.  He also was an instructor of Mariachi Viva, a pioneering youth mariachi in the Mesa Arizona School District.