Mariachi is gaining mainstream recognition in the U.S. through high-level youth competitions and media. Niño and Martinez will navigate the evolution of the mariachi ensemble from its origins in Mexico, to entering the American classroom, to gaining mainstream popularity through the integration of mariachi into popular music. Through the participation of North Side High School Mariachi, the clinicians will highlight the key components to maintain traditional mariachi elements in your program.
Ramon Nino
- Biographical Information
Ramon Niño III has served as Head Mariachi Director at North Side High School, in Fort Worth, TX, since 2004. In his time at North Side, the mariachi ensembles have consistently received sweepstakes awards at the region and state level of the UIL Mariachi contest. Under his leadership, Mariachi Espuelas de Plata has been featured on stage at Carnegie Hall and traveled to Europe to perform in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Mariachi Espuelas de Plata was most recently selected as the 2023 TMEA Invited Mariachi, where they performed with Guest Artist, Arturo Sandoval. In his teaching career, Mr. Nino has been selected as the North Side High School Teacher of the Year, twice, received the Hispanic Heritage Award from the United Hispanic Council of Tarrant County, selected as the Bayard H. Friedman Chair for Teaching Excellence in Performing Arts, received the Mirabeau B. Lamar Award of Excellence in Education, received the Bayard H. Friedman Hero Award, and was named a UIL Sponsor Excellence Award winner. Professionally, Mr. Niño has served as the TMEA Region 7 Mariachi Coordinator, has served on the Texas UIL Ad-Hoc Mariachi Committee, which served to create the first UIL State Mariachi Festival in Texas and served on the TMEA All-State Mariachi Committee, which created the first all-state mariachi ensemble for the state of Texas. In his leadership roles, Mr. Niño has served as TMEA Region 5 President, President of the Texas Association of Mariachi Educators, and Coordinator for the TMEA All-State Mariachi Ensemble Audition Process.
Imelda Martinez attended la Universidad Autónoma de Ciudad Juarez (UACJ) where she studied music performance. Ms. Martinez is a Ronald E. McNair scholar and graduate of New Mexico State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education. Ms. Martinez served as a violin instructor for the Las Cruces International Mariachi Conference, she served as the organizer for invited showcase groups and helped coordinate the LCIMC competition. Under the tutelage of Mariachi Cobre members, she facilitated the instructor assignments and educational curriculum of the LCIMC.
In 2013, she accepted a position in Fort Worth, Texas teaching orchestra and mariachi in three schools. After rigorous recruiting efforts, the middle school mariachi program grew to over 350 students and in 2015 Ms. Martinez was offered the Head Mariachi position at J. P. Elder Middle School.
Ms. Martinez has presented sessions at the Midwest Clinic, TMEA convention, the TBA convention, and CSI Midwest. Ms. Martinez has been an adjudicator/clinician in the Friends of Southwest Festival, Socorro ISD, Clark County ISD, Lubbock ISD and the Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza. She has twice served as the All-State organizer for the TMEA Mariachi ensemble.
Ms. Martinez currently serves as the Associate Mariachi Director at North Side High School. Most recently, she served on the Texas Association of Mariachi Educators as President and is currently the Region 30 Mariachi Chair. In the Fall of 2022, she accepted the position as adjunct faculty at Texas Christian University, where she directs Mariachi Sangre Royal de TCU.