BIO

“I will be the first to say that the pursuit of a career in teaching, particularly music teaching, is an irrational decision that perfectly describes one’s immense passion for sharing music to young people. I grew up performing mariachi alongside my brother in backyard birthday parties, weddings, and other festive events for the local community. It was a very informal training, for my brother and I had no other resources to learn other than what was taught to us in public school. Therefore, I find it tremendously important to reciprocate high quality music instruction to the students of my class. Music is for everyone, and it is our duty as music educators to welcome everyone that is a member of our society into our musical world “

 

 

Andrew’s formal music training began at the age of 21, when he decided to withdraw from the Biological Sciences program at the University of California in Riverside. He learned to read and write music at Southwestern Community College in Chula Vista, where he began his classical guitar studies under Dr. Jorge Pastrana. At San Diego State University, Andrew continued his studies on the guitar with Professors Robert Wetzel and Sean Bassett. During his time at San Diego State, he was selected to perform for several masterclasses through the San Diego Guitar Festival. The guitar masterclass performances included pedagogical critiques and lessons from world renowned guitarists Jorge Caballero, Johannes Moller, Dr. Lily Afshar, Gohar Vardanyan, and Alexandra Iranfar. Andrew also participates and attends in music educator conferences throughout the United States where he has attended CASMEC, The Midwest Clinic, Conn-Selmer Institute, Mega Arts Conference, and the NAMM Show. In November of 2018, Andrew was selected to be one of the four vihuela players for the world premiere of Brazos de Niebla with the San Diego Symphony Orchestra. Andrew continues to pursue performance opportunities and strives to continue his music studies in graduate school in the future. Andrew plans to create and write for mariachi ensembles at both the student level and professional level. Stay tuned for mariachi arrangements soon!