UH mariachi ensemble shares culture through music

KTRK logo
Thursday, October 29, 2020
UH's Mariachi Pumas keep tradition and spirit alive amid pandemic
Mariachi Pumas is the University of Houston's own mariachi ensemble. They came together in Oct. 2019 and as they approach a year together, they reflect on the ups and down of 2020.

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Mariachi Pumas is the University of Houston's own mariachi ensemble. October marks the one-year anniversary for the group, who set out to bring diversity and culture to the UH campus. As they celebrate the last year, the group reflects on the ups and downs, including doing what they love amidst a global pandemic.

Director Jose Longoria describes the group's beginning as a dream come true.

"What I really love about sharing my passion with these particular students is that most of them are not in the music field or not here to be musicians," Longoria said. "We got construction management, we got people in the medical field, we got people that have different diverse backgrounds. Some of them do have prior mariachi experience, but some don't."

SEE ALSO: Meet the man who created the world's first LGBTQ Mariachi band Mariachi Arcoiris

Meet the world's first LGBTQ Mariachi group