When a young musician has passion, dedication, and support, opportunities multiply. Music education is a powerful catalyst for personal growth.The Nacha Mendez Music Scholarship for New Mexican Girls of Color exists to serve young girls and gender expansive youth of color, ages 8 to 15, whose financial resources are incompatible with their musical aspirations. We empower scholarship recipients to pursue their unique musical potential by providing mentorship, performance opportunities, and financial support.

I would like to share a little of my personal musical history and describe the seed that my brother planted in my ear that has now become a reality called the Nacha Mendez Music Scholarship for New Mexican Girls of Color.

Nacha's Story:

I believe in the powerful healing potential of music. Growing up as the daughter of working class parents in southern New Mexico, I learned early on of the benefits of having music lessons, mentors, and teachers. I also realized the importance of having the financial means to pursue music education and opportunities in the music industry. I knew even as a young child that being a musician was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. 

Due to an early childhood accident, at 7 years of age, one of my fingers was severed at the tip. My family was financially impacted by this; they had to work extra hard to pay for my medical expenses. I spent many afternoons during that time with my brother, who took care of me after school, reading Dr. Seuss while eating cookies and milk, or watching Lost in Space together. It was a slow healing process and I missed playing the plastic guitar my father had bought for me. But I was happy to have my big brother by my side. Once, when my beloved guitar was by the window, the strong New Mexican sun melted a hole in it! My father patched it up with another piece of plastic from a plastic bottle, and we waited for my finger to heal. All the while my parents saved up the money to buy me a bigger and better guitar. 

Months later, we ventured into Juarez, Mexico, about a 20-minute drive across the border, and my parents bought me a Tres Pinos guitar. I remember that day well. My mother told me, your brother is going to get braces in Juarez for his teeth and you will get guitar lessons with Mr. Garcia. I was so excited for what the future would bring! 

My mother found a caring and patient teacher who worked with my disability. Mr. Garcia was a house painter by day and a drive-in movie projectionist by night. He ran the Joy Drive-in theater in Anthony, New Mexico. His whole family were musicians. They had a Mariachi group called La Familia Garcia. Every week I took lessons, and as painful as it was, little by little I began to heal my finger. 

Consequently, in my career as a guitarist, I became a strong rhythm guitarist. Later in high school, I also took piano and voice lessons and went on to study music at New Mexico State University. It is because of these life experiences, and the guidance of musical mentors and family members, that I continued with music studies and then went on to a career as a professional performer.  

I also knew, lessons had to be paid for, and that my parents had to fill up on a tank of gas to drive me to an audition or lesson in El Paso or Las Cruces. I also knew buying an instrument cost money, and that my mother had to hire a seamstress to make me a nice dress to wear at my audition. My mother could not afford a new piano, so she bought a used one that had been damaged in a fire. Miraculously, it played like a dream. 

In 2018, I received the prestigious New Mexico Platinum Music Lifetime Achievement award in the State of New Mexico. Soon after, my brother took me out to lunch to celebrate the award. I remember him saying "This is a big honor, a big deal, now you need to start a scholarship." He planted the seed in my ear and I listened. He passed away soon after. 

It is my wish to contribute financially and as a mentor, in inspiring a young musician who has the passion and dedication to discover the richness that a music education and career can provide. It is my wish that this scholarship will also address the gender and racial imbalance within the music industry, and help young women to overcome some of the socio-economic barriers I faced growing up.

Our launch party fundraiser took place on July, 27, 2021 at Museum Hill Cafe., Santa Fe New Mexico. 5:00 - 8:00 PM. A great success and our heartfelt gratitude to all who attended and donated!

Nacha Mendez - Founder

The Nacha Mendez Music Scholarship for New Mexican Girls of Color is a 501c3 nonprofit organization in accordance with the standards and regulations of the IRS. As such, donations to the scholarship fund are tax deductible.Our 501c3 non-profit foundation is entirely staffed by volunteers and funded by independent donors. Your tax deductible support is an invaluable vote of confidence that promotes access to musical opportunities for girls and gender expansive youth of color in New Mexico. Every contribution extends far beyond the tangible. Thank you for dreaming this dream with us.

For more information please write to: nachamendezscholarship21@gmail.com

THANK YOU!

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