San Jose, California native Rebecca Gonzales began playing classical violin at age 10. Her intro

duction to mariachi music came in 1972 when Mark Fogelquist invited her to participate in a class he taught at San Jose City College. She later joined Mariachi Los Abajenos de Isidro Rivera, a professional group that played at the local Club Uruapan. During that period, she entered San Jose State University as a violin performance major. In late 1974, when Mark Fogelquist invited her to join his group, Mariachi Uclatlan, she moved to the Los Angeles area.

After about a year with Mariachi Uclatan, Nati Cano invited Gonzales to join his Mariachi Los Camperos, where she became the first female in history to join a prestigious mariachi show group. She performed weekly at the legendary La Fonda Restaurant in Los Angeles for eight years. 

After leaving Los Camperos, Rebecca moved to Orlando, Florida where she worked for a year with Mariachi Cobre at Disney World’s Epcot Center. Returning to California, she performed at the Flamingo Hills Restaurant in Pomona for several years with Mariachi Los Gavilanes

de Juan Manuel Cortez.

 In 2013, Gonzales formed her own ensemble, Mariachi Tesoro, which she continues to lead. She produced a compact disc by the group, Beautiful Latin Favorites. Mariachi Tesoro participated in Mariachi Spectacular’s 2016 concert at Albuquerque’s Sandia Amphitheater. 

Rebecca Gonzales has performed at many mariachi festivals around the country and has taught at workshops in cities like Albuquerque, Denver, Las Cruces, Wenatchee, and San Antonio. She continues to perform and teaches violin technique in her home studio in Rancho Palos Verdes, California. 

For her ground-breaking efforts as a female in the genre, Mariachi Spectacular de Albuquerque honors Mrs. Rebecca Gonzales.

Watch Video of Rebecca Gonzales Interview: https://youtu.be/wIo_LcBhveA?si=qnWxo3DySHZ1jmRN