Meet Nathan Fernandez, a remarkable talent whose musical journey bridges two worlds – the rich mariachi traditions of his family and the prestigious international stage of Mariachi Sol de México de José Hernández.

In this deeply personal conversation, Nathan reveals his childhood experiences standing beside his father at performances from the tender age of four, toy violin in hand, trying to mimic his father's mannerisms. However, his path wasn't straightforward – for years, Nathan struggled with the tension between family musical obligations and his passion for soccer. "I hated the fact that I had to miss games," he confesses, giving us a rare glimpse into the inner conflict that many young musicians face when balancing family traditions with personal desires.

The turning point came during his high school years when inspiration struck after witnessing a UTRGV mariachi performance. Under the guidance of dedicated educators, Nathan developed his musical literacy and skills, eventually joining his school's mariachi program. But life took a dramatic turn when his father passed away in January 2020, just before the pandemic. This profound loss transformed Nathan's relationship with music – what had once been obligation became a powerful connection to his father's legacy.

When José Hernández invited Nathan to join the legendary Mariachi Sol de México, he faced a life-changing decision. "My dad's favorite group has always been Mariachi Sol de México," Nathan shares, "and I felt like if I didn't take it, I would always be that one guy saying 'I could have, but I didn't.'" Now approaching his second anniversary with the group, Nathan has performed worldwide, including tours throughout the United States, Mexico, and even Saudi Arabia, while developing as a composer and arranger under Hernández's mentorship.

Whether you're a musician, a parent guiding a child through their passions, or someone facing a crossroads between comfort and opportunity, Nathan's story will resonate deeply. Listen now and discover how embracing your heritage while following your own path can lead to extraordinary possibilities.

The path to musical excellence rarely follows a straight line. For Eloy Garza, director of Roma High School's celebrated mariachi program, that journey weaves through personal struggles, unexpected opportunities, and the profound impact of mentorship that transformed a shy trumpet player into an award-winning educator.

Growing up in a household filled with music, Garza was surrounded by family traditions dating back to his great-grandfather. Yet his story isn't one of natural talent, but rather determination. "I was not the type that was very talented, but I work at it," he shares candidly, describing how he had to practice "twice or three times as much" as his more naturally gifted peers. This firsthand understanding of persistence would later become the cornerstone of his educational philosophy.

After graduating from Roma High School in 2000, Garza's path took a series of unexpected turns. From studying in Kingsville to transferring to UTPA, his life changed dramatically after meeting José Hernández of Sol de México. Beginning with transcription work and eventually touring professionally, Garza achieved his dream of performing with one of mariachi's most prestigious groups. Yet at the height of this success, he felt called back to education—a field he initially "hated with a passion."

What makes Garza's approach unique is his innovative educational system combining band discipline with mariachi tradition. By breaking down complex techniques into manageable steps, his students achieve professional-level excellence. The results speak for themselves: under his leadership since 2013, Roma's mariachi program has reached unprecedented heights, culminating in their upcoming induction into the Las Vegas Walk of Stars.

Now in his 20th year as an educator, Garza's focus is expanding beyond his own program to mentor other directors. His advice echoes the words José Hernández gave him: "If you're going to do it, do it well." For mariachi educators and students alike, Garza's journey offers powerful proof that sometimes our greatest contribution comes not just from following our dreams, but discovering where we're truly needed.

Clyde Guerra never planned to become an award-winning mariachi director. His early musical journey began at age nine with a guitar class called "Las Guitarritas," leading to his first vocal competition win at a local livestock show. Surrounded by the sounds of Linda Ronstadt and Vicente Fernández in his grandmother's home, young Clyde was steered toward violin by a prescient voice teacher who told him it would give him better opportunities to showcase his vocal abilities.

Throughout our conversation, Clyde reveals the fascinating twists in his path – from his years as a standout performer in Roma High School's prestigious mariachi program to juggling pre-med and music studies at UTRGV. Despite always believing he would become a doctor, he ultimately followed his heart, earning both bachelor's and master's degrees in violin performance. When faced with post-graduation uncertainty during the pandemic, he took a chance on education – promising during his interview at Edinburg High School that despite his lack of teaching experience, he would build a successful program.

Just four years later, Clyde has transformed EHS's struggling mariachi program into state champions, literally standing outside band rooms recruiting reluctant students who now couldn't imagine their lives without mariachi. Beyond his educational success, he shares behind-the-scenes stories of competing on La Voz Mexico and his unexpected opportunity to perform with Peso Pluma at the VMAs – a manifestation story that demonstrates the unpredictable nature of musical careers.

What makes Clyde's story particularly compelling is his evolution from focusing solely on personal achievement to finding fulfillment in student development. He candidly discusses the challenges of adapting teaching methods to each unique environment and the profound satisfaction of seeing students discover their musical potential. Whether you're a music educator, performer, or student considering a music career, Clyde's journey offers valuable insights about persistence, passion, and the unexpected places a musical life might lead.