Elisa Gastellum Foundation Awarded Music Scholarships
The foundation supports local mariachi students with college tuition, instruments, and music lessons.
Updated on Sept. 27, 2026 in Scholarships
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Local students pursuing music have received support from the Elisa Gastellum Memorial Foundation, which provides college tuition and resources for young mariachi musicians. The foundation was established to honor the legacy of Elisa Gastellum, who passed away in a car crash at age 18.
Why it matters
The foundation plays a key role in cultivating local arts education by removing financial barriers for students. It ensures the next generation of musicians can access necessary instruments and training to continue the mariachi tradition in Las Vegas.
The foundation has awarded 27 total scholarships to students, resulting in 10 recipients becoming professional mariachi teachers. These figures represent the foundation's total output since its creation, though the aggregate dollar amount remains undisclosed.
The players
Elisa Gastellum Memorial Foundation
A local organization that provides scholarships, instruments, and music lessons to student mariachi musicians.
Javier Gastellum
A music teacher at Gibson Middle School who has spent two decades instructing students.
Ervin Garcia
A recipient of a foundation scholarship who pursued music education.
The details
The foundation provides financial aid for college tuition alongside funding for instruments, music lessons, and professional conference attendance. This support has allowed students to excel in a field long championed by local educators like Javier Gastellum, who has taught at Gibson Middle School for 20 years. Ten past recipients have returned to the classroom as teachers, creating a sustainable cycle of music instruction within the valley.
Timeline
Javier Gastellum began teaching at Gibson Middle School 20 years ago.
Ervin Garcia received a scholarship nearly 20 years after the foundation's namesake passed away.
Beyond the Strip
The foundation's focus on long-term music mentorship builds upon the local success of the UNLV Mariachi Program. By funding early education, it creates a pipeline that ensures students have the technical and financial support to continue the valley's mariachi tradition.
Students interested in mariachi music can seek support for instruments and tuition through the foundation's ongoing programs. Those living near Gibson Middle School can witness the impact of this funding through the sustained presence of mariachi instruction.
The takeaway
The foundation demonstrates how targeted support for young musicians can foster a lasting professional legacy in the community. Residents should watch for future scholarship application cycles to see how the foundation continues to grow the next generation of valley teachers.
Further reading
Learn more about local educational opportunities in the Scholarships section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Fox5vegas.
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