Just like a traditional reading session, attendees will have the opportunity for hands-on experience playing the guitar, vihuela, trumpet, and guitarrón in an authentic mariachi performance style. Unlike a traditional reading session, no experience is required and you don’t have to bring your own instruments! Maestro Ruben Modesto (CSU Stanislaus) will lead the group through the introduction and playing of beginning and intermediate mariachi arrangements (ranchera valseada, ranchera lenta, bolero, and polka), explore basic mariachi technique, and give traditional ensemble directors who may lack mariachi experience resources and pedagogical techniques to assist in classroom instruction.
Target Audience
Mariachi educators and those interested in starting one.
Additional Notes
Clinician Info
Anthony C. Dahl
Manteca Unified School District
In addition to his public-school teaching duties, Mr. Dahl is an adjunct Associate Professor at Delta College and has previously served as an adjunct lecturer at Teachers College of San Joaquin.
Anthony Dahl is the Visual and Performing Arts Coordinator for Manteca Unified School District. He supports over 50 visual and performing arts educators and oversees the district’s VAPA budget, coordinates after-school arts programs and special events, and plans professional development for arts staff.
Before this role, Mr. Dahl spent 16 years teaching K–12 music, including 13 years at Manteca High School where he taught guitar, piano, AP Music Theory, and directed the band program. His experience also includes PK–8 general music, choir, elementary and middle school band, and co-teaching a beginning mariachi class.
In addition to his public-school work, Mr. Dahl is an adjunct Associate Professor of Music at San Joaquin Delta College and serves as an adjunct lecturer at Teachers College of San Joaquin.
Ruben Modesto
CSU Stanislaus
Ruben Modesto, Jr. is an adjunct lecturer at California State University, Stanislaus, where he directs the Latin American Music Ensemble and teaches Latin American Music Pedagogy. He also serves as Director of Bands at John H. Pitman High School in Turlock, where he leads the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Jazz Band, Mariachi, and the Pitman Marching Pride. His ensembles consistently earn superior ratings and have performed across California, Washington, D.C., and at Carnegie Hall.
Mr. Modesto’s honors include the Tracy Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Inspirational Award, Stanislaus County High School Teacher of the Year, Comcast All-Star Teacher, and Turlock Chamber Educator of the Year.
A Stockton native and product of its public schools, he earned his Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Missouri–Kansas City, studying trumpet with Dr. Keith Benjamin and conducting with Gary W. Hill. He began teaching in Kansas before returning to California.