Mariachi In K-12 Education And It’s Impact On Students

by | Mar 18, 2022 | Mariachi Resources

Mariachi programs are flourishing in many regions of the United States, transforming and connecting students with their cultural identity. Mariachi music is an important facet of post-colonial Mexican culture, and with that comes a great sense of pride and validation that provides many students, particularly Mexican American, a level of gratification and significance. In this clinic, mariachi educators Ramon Rivera and Oscar Garibay will share their experience introducing mariachi music to their schools and its impact to K-12 students.
From handwritten thank you notes from parents and students to being honored by the Speaker of the House, Ramon Rivera has been recognized as being an innovative leader and pioneer in cultural arts and has received numerous awards and accolades during his teaching career.
 
He is currently the Mount Vernon School District Mariachi Program Director in Mount Vernon, in Washington state currently teaching 6 Mariachi and Folklorico classes with a total enrollment of over 200 students grades 6-12. Mr. Rivera also has written five published blogs for NAFME about Mariachi Education. Mr. Rivera has led Mariachi Education workshops for KHS Music, VH1 Save the Music, H.Jimenez Guitars, Eastern Washington University, University of Iowa Northern, Napa Valley College, International Music Education Summit, Berklee Plus,  and for the Give A Note Foundation.
 
Mr. Rivera has had his students perform for Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, Little Big Town, Ramon Ayala, Los Tigres del Norte, Lupillo Rivera, Ana Bárbara, Christian Nodal, Joan Sebastian, Dolores Huerta, and George Lopez. Mr.Rivera Mariachi groups under his direction have traveled and headline Mariachi Festivals in Montana, Idaho, Washington State, Oregon, California, Alaska, and Washington DC.
 
– – –
 
Oscar Garibay is an acclaimed trumpet performer based in southern California is recognized as a versatile musician. As a classical instrumentalist, Mr. Garibay has won concerto competitions and internationally toured with several orchestras and bands. As a Mariachi, Garibay has performed on tour with Grammy Award-winning Mariachi Los Camperos. He has also accompanied critically acclaimed artists which include: Steven Sandoval, Lupita Infante, and Leo Dan.
 
Mr. Garibay is a pioneer in Mariachi Education. Under the mentorship of Mariachi Sol de Mexico director, Jose Hernandez, Garibay became one of the founding teachers of the Jose Hernandez Mariachi Academy. Currently, Garibay is a full-time Mariachi Director in Santa Ana Unified School District, where he leads Mariachi Los Santos of Santa Ana High School’s SanArts Conservatory.

The content of this Blog article or Banded Story is the intellectual property of the author(s) and cannot be duplicated without the permission of KHS America and/or the author(s). Standard copyright rules apply.