Biographical Information

The North Side High School Mariachi was formed in 1980 under the auspices of the Texas Commission on the Arts and Artist-in-Residence William Gradante. Mariachi Espuelas de Plata has earned many opportunities to represent the Fort Worth Independent School District at various mariachi conferences, mariachi competitions and music conferences throughout the United States.

Mariachi Espuelas de Plata has had the opportunity to represent north Texas at the Mexican American School Board Members Association State Mariachi Festival, the UIL State Mariachi Festival, and the Texas Association of Mariachi Educators State Mariachi Contest. Mariachi Espuelas de Plata has been selected to perform at clinics and concerts throughout Texas and the United Sates including Las Cruces, Albuquerque, Chicago, Los Angeles, and a performance at Carnegie Hall in New York City. In 2017, they were selected as the Grand Champions at the Mariachi Nationals and Summer Institute in Los Angeles, California.

In the summer of 2019, they were able to share their passion for mariachi music and their Mexican culture by performing and touring Northern Michigan, Switzerland, Germany and Austria. In 2022 Espuelas de Plata was selected as the Invited Mariachi Ensemble at the Texas Music Educators Association Convention where they performed with grammy nominated artist Arturo Sandoval.  Mariachi Espuelas de Plata is currently under the direction of Mr. Ramon Niño III, Ms. Imelda Martinez and Mr. John Olmos.