Mariachi Orgullo de América is the premier mariachi of the Midwest. Since 2002, Mariachi Orgullo has been honored to represent Mexican and Latin culture all over this region of the United States. Entertaining, educational, and authentic, Mariachi Orgullo de América strives every day to spread the mariachi tradition to other cultures while, at the same time, keeping the art form alive and well within the Hispanic community. Proud of its diversity and heritage, this musical group brings the different backgrounds of its members to enrich its performances and to bring perspective to everything it does. That is why this mariachi is known as "Mariachi Pride of America!"
Mariachi Orgullo de America has played for Governor Henry, Governor Fallin, Senator Inhoffe, the floor of the House of Representatives, the Thunder OKC half time show, Bob Stoops, Barry Switzer, Toby Keith, Sherri Coale, Carmen Hara, Jorge Salinas, Lorenzo de Monteclaro, Maribel Guardia, Lupillo Rivera, Pedro Rivera, El Chapo de Sinaloa etc. and has performed with the Arkansas Philharmonic and with the Walt Disney’s Official Mariachi, Mariachi Cobre. Mariachi Orgullo has toured in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Texas, New Mexico, and Mexico. They released their first album “Oklahoma’s Mariachi” in 2011 and their single “Urge” in 2016.
In 2005, Mariachi Orgullo de America helped to found the first mariachi school programs with the help of VH1 establishing the program elementary schools within Oklahoma City Public Schools and the Anita Martinez Mariachi Festival to help maintain those programs. The programs have grown throughout the years establishing programs in several public, private, and charter schools in the Metro area.
Current Members: Robert Ruiz - vocals, vihuela, and trumpet; Juan Santana Garcia - vocals and guitar; Joel Diaz - vocals and guitar; Charley Reeves - guitarron, Donald Hecker - guitarron; George Morgan - trumpet; Kevin Stringfellow - trumpet; Sean Wright - trumpet; Dresan Alexander - trumpet, Jared Muñoz - flute; Wilmari Ruiz - flute; Amanda Carillo - flute; Keely Lopez - flute; Samuel Jimenez - flute; Alejandra Guerrero - violin; Eric Morales - violin; Maria Belen Ruffin - violin; Maritza Ruiz - violin; Sonia Ruiz - violin, Yasmin Ruiz - violin; Troy Garcia - violin; Gus Weaver - violin; Joseph Messick - violin, Alex Irwin - violin; Jessica Tate - Harp; John Ruiz - sound tech.
AWARDS
Governors Arts Awards Community Service: Robert & Wilmari Ruiz
by Governor Stitt and the Oklahoma Arts Council 2019
Leadership Arts: Wilmari Ruiz by Oklahoma Arts Council 2017
"Work and contribution to the Mexican culture in Oklahoma" 2016
Hispanic Music Group of the year 2016 Music Ambassadors of Oklahoma by Lt. Governor Todd Lamb 2016
