| A History of Women in Mariachi Music | 1990's |
 Rodri J. Rodriguez |
In 1991, producer Rodri J. Rodriguez paid the first-ever tribute to female mariachi musicians at the Mariachi USA ® Festival held annually at the Hollywood Bowl. Female mariachi musicians from all parts of the nation were invited to perform, making it the largest congregation of female mariachi musicians to date. |
| In 1993, Rhonda
Garcia joined the high-profile mariachi show
group, Mariachi Campanas de América, from San
Antonio, Texas.
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In 1994, Mariachi
Reyna de Los Angeles, was the first all-female
show group to be formed in the United States. It
was founded by José Hernández and directed,
originally, by Laura Sobrino.
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The
number of all-female groups increased throughout
the U.S. They include:
Mariachi Las Tejanitas (1988), from Austin, Tx. Mariachi Paloma, from Del Valle High School (1990-1992). Mariachi Femenil Sol Azteca, from Phoenix, Az. Mariachi Femeníl Erendira Xochitlán, from San Antonio, Tx. Mariachi Angeles Del Cielo, from San Antonio, Tx. Mariachi Las Golondrinas Viajeras, from El Paso, Tx. Mariachi Las Alondras, from El Paso, Tx. Mariachi Femeníl Las Aguilas, from Sacramento, Ca. Mariachi Las Alteñitas, from the San Fernando Valley in Ca. Mariachi Las Adelitas, from Los Angeles, Ca. Mariachi Las Alondras, from Los Angeles, Ca. |
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 Sylvia Gonzales |
A comprehensive internet site about the mariachi world, "Puro Mariachi," created by mariachi aficionada and web jefa, Sylvia Gonzales. This website provides free information on mariachi conferences, performances, and mariachi groups. |
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Traditional mariachi
training is now transmitted not only from father
to son, but from father to daughter as well. For
example, Luís Fregoso, a third-generation
mariachi in Los Angeles, has three daughters and
no sons; without a son to inherit the
male-mariachi tradition, Mr. Fregoso chose to
transmit his mariachi knowledge to his daughters.
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Entire families,
including mothers and daughters, now form their
own mariachi groups. For example: The Lepe family
from San Bernadino, CA formed "Mariachi
Unido" (2 daughters who perform);
"Mariachi Fiesta Mexicana," features
the González family from San Fernando, CA (5
daughters); and, "Mariachi Los Arrieros," features the Peña family from
Long Beach, CA (2 daughters).
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