Santiago Romero
Guitar, Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals
Native to Santa Fe, Santiago has been playing the guitar since the age of six. While attending New Mexico State University, he began studying and performing Mariachi in Las Cruces, El Paso and Juarez. During his time at NMSU, Santiago instructed many students as well as Directed a non-profit Youth Mariachi Program.
Since 2008, Santiago has performed with and served as director of Mariachi Sonidos del Monte. Santiago is also currently the Director of the Santa Fe Youth Symphony Mariachi, continuing to introduce younger generations to the art of Mariachi music.
Christina Gomez
Guitar, Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals
Christina's first love was singing, she began at the age of 10 and has a background in choral music. She began playing the guitar and singing Mariachi music in 1997. Her passion for Mariachi music grew as a young child as she was exposed to many different artists throughout her childhood.
Christina is one of the founding members of Mariachi Sonidos del Monte. She is also a mother and is a Registered Nurse.
Eric ortiz
Trumpet, Backing Vocals
Eric Ortiz began his musical journey in 1997 for the Pecos Middle School marching band and drew interest in joining the high school mariachi group with his older brother. His first professional performance was at Popejoy Hall, at age 12, with Mariachi Pantera del Yermo. One highlight performance was having the opportunity to open up for world renowned Mariachi Sol de Mexico at the Santa Fe Opera.
After high school, Eric continued his passion for music and went on to play with Mariachi Lobo at the University of New Mexico. Eric enjoys playing various styles of trumpet from Latin Jazz, Blues and New Mexico Music. His versatility has given him the opportunity to share stages with groups like Ozomatli, Sparx, Lorenzo Antonio, Al Hurricane, Tobias Rene, and Grammy award winners Flaco Jimenez and Sonny Ozuna, along with many more artists.
Eric’s favorite part of being a musician is recording sessions in the studio. He has recorded over 100 albums and live DVD performances for various artists from Texas, Colorado and New Mexico. His most recent work was on Stephanie Hatfield’s record “Traces” and Jim Keavney’s album “Put it together”, which is getting great reviews and reached the top 15 Americana CDs in Europe. Eric’s favorite album ever recorded was with Mariachi Sonidos del Monte “El Principio”, where “magic” was made in the studio and his passion for the mariachi genre is demonstrated on each track. His goals are to continue to perform for many more years and create original songs where he can eventually bring them to life in the recording studio.
“Music played with passion is an expression of the soul.”
–Eric Ortiz