Belle will be remembered as a pioneer in mariachi music who founded mariachi music programs in the San Antonio Independent School District (SAISD) and San Antonio College. She was an educator, musician (a pianist) and tireless promoter of mariachi music.
One of her most significant contributions to mariachi was serving as director of the first mariachi music festival in the U.S. in 1979. The event came together with people from the City who wanted a mariachi music festival as a way to draw tourism to San Antonio. It was a significant event in so many ways because it was the start of the U.S. mariachi festival movement. It’s an event that brought artists from Mexico to the U.S. to participate in concerts, competitions and workshops. This concept expanded quickly to Tucson, Los Angeles, Albuquerque and other parts of the Southwest and Mexico. The growth of mariachi music festivals have influenced the growth of mariachi music programs in the schools and in other parts of the country.
I knew Belle when I played mariachi music with the SAISD All-District Mariachi Group and had the opportunity to travel with her to places like Washington, D.C., Mexico City and Tulsa, Oklahoma. Belle’s undying passion for mariachi music and lifelong commitment to promoting the arts, will live on through the many lives she has touched.
Sincere condolences to the San Miguel family and to her husband Juan Ortiz, director of Mariachi Campanas de America.
Funeral services are scheduled as follows:
August 8, 2023
5:00 – 6:30 – Public Viewing
6:30 – Celebration for Belle
Grace Point Church
9650 Huebner Rd, San Antonio, TX 78240
August 9, 2023
Services
9 -10 AM
Grace Point Church
9650 Huebner Rd, San Antonio, TX 78240
Burial
11:00 AM
San Fernando Cemetery II
746 Castroville Rd, San Antonio, TX 78237
Reception to follow
Our Lady of the Lake
University Wellness and Activities Center
411 SW 24th St, San Antonio, TX 78237
More stories about Belle:
https://www.sanantonioreport.com
https://www.expressnews.com/news/article/belle-ortiz-mariachi-teacher-dies-18198020.php
Belle’s passing received national recognition on NPR recently. Sincere condolences to all who knew this wonderful lady.
https://www.npr.org/2023/07/19/1188543456/belle-ortiz-the-valiant-educator-who-brought-mariachi-to-public-schools-has-died
Yes. Jack Morgan did a story for Texas Public Radio and then for NPR. That was awesome that it made National news. I was happy to take part in both stories. Well deserved!
Condolences to Juan and the entire Ortiz family.