Tejano NextGen Fund Launches to Invest in Future of Tejano and Conjunto Music

SAN ANTONIO, TX — A new chapter in the preservation of Tejano and Conjunto music has officially begun with the launch of Tejano NextGen Fund, Inc., a Texas-based nonprofit organization created to support and invest in the next generation of Tejano and Conjunto student musicians through educational scholarships and heritage arts stewardship.

Founded by Tejano Music Awards-winning recording artist Angelica Alcoser and Latin Grammy–winning artist Arthur “Tweet” Juarez Jr., the organization is built on a foundation of community support, transparency, and long-term impact. Serving alongside them on the board is musician and community advocate James Garcia, who brings extensive industry relationships and outreach experience to the initiative.

Angelica Alcoser and Tweet Juarez | Courtesy

The Fund’s mission is clear: to support and invest in the next generation of Tejano and Conjunto student musicians through scholarships and cultural preservation.

“Tejano and Conjunto music carry more than rhythm — our genre carries history, identity, and community,” said Alcoser. “It lives in our celebrations, our stages, and our shared experiences. Tejano NextGen Fund was created to ensure this legacy continues through the next generation by offering scholarships to high school senior student musicians. We’re committed to transparency, integrity, and building something that lasts.”

Supporting Student Musicians, Sustaining Cultural Legacy

The Tejano NextGen Fund will:

Provide educational scholarships to high school senior student musicians actively involved in Tejano and Conjunto performance
Partner with schools and educators supporting Tejano and Conjunto programs
Operate with transparent reporting and responsible financial stewardship

Its core values — Community. Legacy. Transparency. Opportunity. — guide every aspect of the organization’s structure and decision-making.

Juarez emphasized that the initiative was born from a desire to give back in a meaningful and lasting way.

“We’re trying to figure out a way to get younger kids more proactive with Tejano and Conjunto music while helping them further their education,” Juarez said. “There’s power in knowledge. It’s important that our young musicians not only play music, but also get an education. A lot of times, we don’t have programs like this for musicians. This is about giving them a real opportunity.”

A Formal, Transparent Nonprofit

Unlike informal fundraising efforts, Tejano NextGen Fund has been established as a formal Texas nonprofit corporation, with its 501(c)(3) application currently pending. The founders stressed their commitment to operating with full transparency and integrity.

“This isn’t a fundraiser or a GoFundMe,” Alcoser explained. “We wanted it to be a formally established corporation recognized by the State of Texas and the IRS. We want corporations and individuals to be able to contribute with confidence, knowing there is full transparency and responsible stewardship.”

Juarez added, “This is legit. Everything will be transparent — financials, operations — everything. It’s all about these kids and the future of our genre.”

First Scholarship Ready for May 2026

The organization has already secured funding for its first scholarship, which will be awarded to a Texas high school senior in May 2026. Scholarship criteria — including potential essay submissions, performance videos, and eligibility requirements — will be formally posted on March 15.

Initially, the scholarship will be Texas-based, with outreach already underway to high schools in San Antonio, the Rio Grande Valley, West Texas, Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, and beyond.

Importantly, students do not need to attend a school with a formal Tejano or Conjunto program to qualify. Independent student musicians actively performing in the genre may also be eligible if they meet the established criteria.

“We’re not trying to exclude anyone,” Alcoser noted. “We’re focused on Tejano and Conjunto because that’s our industry, and there are very few scholarships specifically dedicated to these students. We want them to know we’re here and we believe in them.”

Built for Growth

While the first year will begin with one scholarship, the long-term vision is far greater. The founders hope to expand the number of annual awards to four or five scholarships as community support grows — and potentially expand beyond Texas in the future.

Juarez reflected on his own experience as a young musician without access to music-specific scholarship opportunities.

“I didn’t play sports. There weren’t programs like this for musicians,” he said. “This could help the next Steve Jordan, David Lee Garza — who knows who’s out there? Our kids are the future. We need to help them as much as we can.”

The organization’s website now includes an active contribution portal, with every dollar designated for student scholarships. While the founders are not actively soliciting donations at launch, they welcome community support and industry awareness to help spread the word.

“This isn’t a one-time thing,” Alcoser said. “We’re in this for the long run. Tejano music matters. It truly matters to us.”

As the Tejano industry continues to evolve, the Tejano NextGen Fund stands as a proactive step toward ensuring the music’s rhythm, culture, and legacy live on through the next generation. For full details or to contribute visit TejanoNextGen.org.

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