José was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico on March 2, 1968. His direct family roots lead back to La Bárca, Jalísco, Mexico. He is a second generation mariachi musician. His father, Miguel Santiago, was a former member of Mariachi Tenampa from 1974 through 1986 and was also the original director of Mariachi Los Caporales. José began studying under the direction of his father at the tender age of 4. He first learned how to play the vihuela and guitar, later the trumpet and finally the violin, which is now his primary instrument. His formal musical education includes 9 years of classroom and private instruction in instrument technique, reading, writing, arranging and music theory, in a variety of styles. Since childhood, it was José's dream to become a professional mariachi musician. He is now recognized as one of the best and most respected mariachi violinists in the region. José began playing professionally at the age of 14 with Mariachi Tenampa. His career with Mariachi Tenampa began in May of 1982 and continues to this day. As musical director, arranger, violin section leader and writer, he is credited as being an important part of Tenampa's success. Throughout his career with Mariachi Tenampa, José has shared the stage in concert with many of the best mariachi groups in the world and has also accompanied many high-profile artists on stage, such as: Lucha Villa, Yolanda Del Rio, Gerardo Reyes, Beatriz Adriana, Alicia Juarez, Juan Valentin, Chelo, Yesenia Flores, Sparx, Lorenzo Antonio, Ana Barbara, Maria De Lourdes, Lorenzo De Monte Claro, Lucha Moreno Y Jose Juan, Cristian Castro, and Paquita La Del Barrio, to name just a few. José has also provided his musical talents for local artists and recording studios. He has participated in the production of 41 professional recordings. Amongst the most well-known from New Mexico are those of Sparx, Lorenzo Antonio, Roberto Griego, Darren Cordova, Angel Espinoza, Nelson Martinez, Freddie Brown, and John Wagner. He has also worked as a studio musician with six different local recording studios in the production of local and nationwide radio and television ads. José has shared his musical knowledge with many young mariachi musicians from all over the United States and Mexico. Throughout the past 18 years, he has been invited to provide workshop music instruction for some of the most prestigious international mariachi conferences in the United States, including the Tucson International Mariachi conference and the Mariachi Spectacular conference. He has also provided workshop instruction for many other regional conference workshops, including the Santa Fe Fiesta Council Youth Mariachi Conference, Midland Texas Mariachi Conference, Alamosa Mariachi Conference, San Angelo Mariachi Conference, Pueblo Mariachi Conference, St. Pius High School Workshops, the University of New Mexico's mariachi program and the SFYSA Mozart Y Mariachi program, as well as private instruction to many individuals. Because of his expertise in music writing, José's mariachi transcriptions have been taught in many of these regional mariachi workshops. José currently directs and teaches mariachi classes for the "Mozart & Mariachi" music program in Santa Fe, New Mexico.  This program is fully funded by, and a division of the Santa Fe Youth Symphony Association.  José feels honored to have been selected for this position.  Apart from being a full-time professional mariachi musician, José also runs his own home-based stringed instrument business. Since 1998, he has owned and operated Santiago Violins, which is an Internet-based violin shop. He specializes in the making, restoration, repair and sale of fine violins, violas, bows and related accessories.