2024 Conductor

Eloy Garza

Roma ISD  Mariachi Head Director

Eloy Garza, originally from The City of Roma, proudly leads the Roma ISD Mariachi Program
and serves as the musical director of the nationally recognized Mariachi Nuevo Santander at
Roma High School. With a teaching career that began in 2004, Eloy's musical journey took root
at Roma High School, where he played trumpet in the highly successful band program led by
Mr. Al Cortinas and the mariachi program under Mr. Yamil R. Yunes, graduating in 2000.
He continued his musical education at The University of Texas Pan American, earning a
Bachelor's degree in Music Education. Eloy's hard work and ambition in mariachi led him to join
the prestigious UTPA Mariachi Aztlan, one of the nation's top university mariachi programs. His
mariachi career allowed him to share the stage with many renowned artists and groups like
Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan and Mariachi Sol de Mexico de Jose Hernandez.
Eloy's deep passion for mariachi led him to become an accomplished arranger and composer of
mariachi music. His talents caught the attention of Maestro Jose Hernandez, director of Mariachi
Sol de Mexico, who enlisted Eloy to transcribe and notate his own musical arrangements.
After a year of teaching, Eloy's career as a musician reached new heights when he was invited
to tour with Mariachi Sol de Mexico de Jose Hernandez, accompanying Multi Latin Grammy
winner Luis Miguel on the Mexico en La Piel Tour in 2005. This experience further enriched his
expertise in mariachi music.
Eloy later decided to give education a second chance and share his lifetime of mariachi
experiences. He served as the mariachi director at Veterans Middle School and held a high
school mariachi staff position at Rio Grande Grulla ISD from 2007 to 2013. His contributions led
the program to national recognition, with the middle school mariachi achieving an impressive
three-year undefeated streak, earning 23 consecutive 1st place awards. Later, he then wrote his
own curriculum for mariachi education.
In 2013, Eloy returned to his alma mater, Roma ISD, as the Mariachi head director, and also
took on the role of musical director for Mariachi Nuevo Santander. In a remarkably short period,
he elevated Roma ISD's mariachi program to national acclaim, earning nine national titles in just
a decade. His leadership even secured an appearance on America's Got Talent Season 12 and
contributed to the global trend of viral music performances during the pandemic. Most recently,
Mariachi Nuevo Santander, under his guidance, was honored with induction into the Las Vegas
Walk of Stars.
Eloy currently resides in Starr County with his wife and three beautiful children. Eloy's dedication
now extends beyond Roma ISD; he actively contributes to the mariachi community by
conducting workshops across the nation for other programs. His mission is to create a lasting
legacy by empowering and making a difference in students' lives through the art of mariachi
music.