Passing the sombrero: How the Ponce family preserves a century of mariachi
In 1991, the family created the group Mariachi Real de México. Since then, they have had the opportunity to share the stage with legends such as Ana Gabriel, Vicente Fernández, Juan Gabriel, and even perform for artists like Marc Anthony and Tito Puente, among many others.
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For over a century, the Ponce family has been keeping the spirit of mariachi alive, passing it down from one generation to the next.
“I was born with mariachi, my guitar and my sombrero,” said Ramón Ponce Jr.
It all began with his great-grandparents in Mexico, and since then, mariachi has become a proud family tradition.
When Ponce Jr. was 13, his father, Ramón Ponce Sr., moved the family from Puebla, Mexico, to the United States to join a mariachi band.
“I feel very, very, very happy,” Ponce Sr. said. “These are blessings from God.”
Decades later, that legacy lives on through his children and even his grandchildren.
In 1991, the family created the group Mariachi Real de México. Since then, they have had the opportunity to share the stage with legends such as Ana Gabriel, Vicente Fernández, Juan Gabriel, and even perform for artists like Marc Anthony and Tito Puente, among many others.
In 2002, Ponce Jr. took the mission a step further by creating the Mariachi Academy of New York, a nonprofit organization dedicated to teaching young people and preserving the rich heritage of mariachi.
“I’m very happy for my kids to be able to do it, to learn about the tradition, because it will continue on,” Ponce Jr. said.
