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🎙 Episode 118: Más Que Música – Identity & Accessibility in Music Education

In this week’s episode of The Score, Eric and Justin sit down with Daniel Flores (@trumpetpapi) — musician, content creator, and advocate for culturally rooted music education. Daniel shares his journey growing up in underfunded, majority-Hispanic music programs, and how those early experiences shaped his passion for making music more accessible and meaningful for all students.

From starting the first collegiate mariachi ensemble in Illinois to helping other student groups across the country form their own, Daniel has been at the forefront of pushing for representation in spaces that often overlook genres like mariachi, banda, and conjunto. His story sheds light on the challenges of advocating for underrepresented traditions in predominantly white institutions, and the resilience required to keep that work moving forward.

We also dive into Daniel’s role as a digital educator on TikTok and Instagram, where he uses his platforms to “democratize” music education and connect with students and audiences beyond the classroom. He opens up about the rewards and roadblocks of partnering with institutions and brands as a non-conservatory trained musician, and how social media has become a powerful tool for both advocacy and teaching.

Whether you’re an educator looking to expand your repertoire, a student navigating questions of identity in music, or simply someone curious about how tradition and innovation collide, this conversation offers practical takeaways and plenty of inspiration.

👉 Listen now and join us as we explore what it means to go beyond the staff — to embrace music as a vehicle for culture, identity, and access.

🔗 Listen here: https://linktr.ee/thescorepodcast

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Music Credits:
Intro: Justin McLean
In Rotation & Outro: Ben Bohorquez - @jamin_music