Ramon Niño
Mariachi Director, North Side High School
Filmmaker: Ocular Pop
Ramon Niño knows what it means to keep a tradition alive. As the mariachi director at North Side High School, he spends his days teaching students the tradition of mariachi. It instills in his students, and himself, a pride of Mexican heritage. That pride shows up in their performances; North Side High School is generally recognized as one of the state’s most successful mariachi programs. They won a national title in 2017, but Niño doesn’t strive for awards. He’s teaching students to tell the story of their culture, the same story their parents and grandparents told before them.
Rapid-fire Q&A with Ramon:
What is your title and place of employment?
Mariachi Director – North Side High School
What are your favorite Fort Worth restaurants?
Tacos Los Irresistibles, Cooper’s BBQ, Buffalo Bros.
What is your favorite place to take visitors in Fort Worth?
The Stockyards
What is your favorite place to enjoy the outdoors in Fort Worth?
Dream Park, Trinity Park
What is your favorite place to listen to music in Fort Worth?
Sundance Square, Billy Bob’s Texas
What do you think visitors will find unexpected about Fort Worth?
It is welcoming, clean, and there are many things to see and visit. Also, parking in downtown is free after 6:00 pm and on the weekends.
