From Dream to Movement: Marialuisa’s Launch Journey
Marialuisa at a Mariachi story time with students at Garden Place Academy — a beautiful example of her work in action after Moonshot.
We’re excited to share the launch journeys of Moonshot Alumni who continue growing as leaders and bringing their visions to life long after the fellowship ends. These stories spotlight the real, ongoing work alumni are leading in their communities.
Today, we’re highlighting Marialuisa Meza-Burgos, a Cohort 7 alum and co-founder of Cuerdas y Canciones, an organization enriching mariachi education across Colorado through authentic, culturally rooted experiences for students and educators.
Co-founders Priscilla Arasaki and Marialuisa Meza-Burgos leading their first-ever Mariachi teacher training.
Before Moonshot, Marialuisa held a vision that still felt out of reach. Marialuisa shared with us:
“Before Moonshot, my solution felt unattainable and more like a dream that I didn’t know how to make come true… The fellowship gave me the space, tools, and confidence to listen deeply to my community and honor our traditions.”
The growth she made throughout her fellowship experience quickly translated into action. What began as a pilot has grown into a fiscally sponsored organization reaching 110 students and 28 teachers, with four school contracts in just six months and partnerships like MSU Denver supporting educator trainings.
When asked what moment reminded her she was exactly where she was meant to be, one experience stood out:
“On the first Monday back from winter break, I returned to the classroom to work with the same students from the fall… It was powerful to see how confidently they played and sang. They were excited about mariachi, and it showed me that a mariachi program at this school is truly within reach.”
Marialuisa’s first Moonshot pilot — an early step in turning vision into reality.