Luis “Tito” Talamantes holds a bachelor of professional studies in interdisciplinary music studies from Berklee College of Music and has been a Mariachi educator for Stockton Unified School District for over six years. His ensembles have been invited to the White House (2016), performed at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (2018), and have placed in many national competitions. 

Prior to teaching, Talamantes was a professional studio musician performing and recording with El Regimen Sinaloense under the Sinacal Label where some of his tracks made placements on to FX Network’s “The Bridge.” While a member of El Regimen Sinaloense, he toured with top Regional Mexicano acts such as Banda MS and Chuy Lizarraga. It was while working as a studio musician in Montebello, CA, that he arranged music for Alfredo Olivas’s sold-out “Dos Mundos una Historia” tour.

In an effort to share, promote, and make accessible culturally responsive educational material, Talamantes created titosmusic.org where he shares all of his arrangements and transcriptions for music educators at no cost. Since the launch, his arrangements have been played by numerous ensembles in the Midwest, Colorado, and even Cornell University’s Big Red Marching Band. Some of his arrangements may be found on J. W. Pepper as well.

Talamantes currently teaches at the University of the Pacific’s Community music school and directs the University’s Mariachi Ocelotlan.