Mr. George Ohnesorgen, the principal of Chula Vista High School, accepted an Angel Harp on behalf of the 175 students in the Special Education Department making this one of two harps donated in 2009.

Above: George Ohnesorgen, Dianna Woodley, & Julie Marsh at the Benefit Concert & Awards Ceremony

Chula Vista High is part of the Sweetwater Union High School District which is one of the nation’s fastest-growing school districts according to the New York Times.

Dianna Woodley of Angel Harps has a special place in her heart for the school district her kids attended–but it is the kindness and generosity of the CVH neighbors that makes it a special school and community.

Angel Harps had its humble beginnings in Chula Vista. It is a city that continues to support efforts to help improve the quality of life for Chula Vista High students and the local community.

Dianna Woodley and Angel Harp fans look forward to seeing more exciting news from these lap harp recipients in the future.

Julie Marsha and Angel Harps donated a unique harp to the Chula Vista School for Creative & Performing Arts and Mariachi Chula Vista.

Angel Harps received this harp donation from Julie Marsha who found us while researching healing harp music therapy on the Internet.

This lovely 34 string harp was at least forty years old and unfortunately had suffered damage over time. The harp sound board was broken at 34th string.

Angel Harps happily fixed the sound board and had it refurbished and converted into a 33 string harp. It was thrilling to be able to award another harp in 2009 to the Chula Vista School for Creative & Performing Arts.

We thought you might enjoy listening to Marachi Chula Vista performers as you continue learning more about their accomplishments.

Harps were part of mariachi and there are many different regional differences in the harps used in the different countries where mariachi originates.

Many people are not aware that harps were one of the original instruments of mariachi but fell into disuse. The use of harps in mariachi is experiencing a resurgence–in part because of the programs such as the Chula Vista School for Creative & Performing Arts.

The accomplished Mariachi Chula Vista has hundreds and hundreds of event performance experience and has earned a reputation as one of the best student mariachis in the country.

Mariachi Chula Vista also shared the stage with notable talents that include Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan, Mariachi Sol de Mexico, Mariachi Los Camperos, Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles, and Mariachi Internacional Guadalajara, Mariachi America.

Formed at Chula Vista High School in September 2001 by Mark Fogelquist, Mariachi Chula Vista has toured throughout the United States appearing at numerous festivals and educational events such as the Smithsonian Folklife Festival.

In the United States more than 500 public schools now offer mariachi as part of the curriculum but the Sweetwater Union High School District was credited as one of the nation’s fastest growing school districts and a leader in mariachi because an astonishing 13 of the district’s 20 junior high and high schools (including Chula Vista High) now offer classes.

Mariachi Chula Vista has appeared at the Kennedy Center and was featured in the New York Times Mariachi article.

The Chula Vista School for Creative & Performing Arts group has won numerous awards including:

• 1st Place, Viejas Mariachi Competition (2004 )
• 2nd Place, Viejas Mariachi Competition (2005 )
• 1st Place, Mariachi Spectacular (2006)
• 1st Place, Battle of the Mariachis (2006)
• 1st Place, Battle of the Mariachis (2007)
• 2nd place, Mariachi Spectacular (2008)
• 2nd place, Anaheim Mariachi Festival (2008)
• 1st Place, Open Division Mariachi Spectacular (2009)
• 1st Place, Overall Mariachi Spectacular (2009)

Angel Harps was proud to learn that Mariachi Chula Vista plans to release their first album in 2009.

Learn about Mariachi Chula Vista or watch Mariachi Chula Vista at their performance at the Kennedy Center (July 2009).