Meet Oscar Garibay of Santa Ana

Today we’d like to introduce you to Oscar Garibay.

Hi Oscar, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Started my career as a music teacher teaching mariachi in the Santa Ana Unified School District. After 7 years of public education, I initiated an alumni group of former students which eventually became a mariachi entertainment company knkow as the OC Mariachi Company. We provide authentic mariachi entertainment throughout Socal, but mainly service the Orange County area. Today, I teach at 4 different universities, and provide a pathway for student musicians to enter the music entertainment industry via the company.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has definitely been a struggle getting recognition at first. Because of our ages, its been difficult persuading our clients that we are professional musicians. We try our hardest to set rehearsals, and make weekly performance videos for our clients to see our professionalism and work.

Other struggles along the way include:
Limited training in Mariachi in the area that I grew up in.
Getting mariachi education recognized as a legitimate field of study in both public education and higher education.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I specialize in elevating Mariachi music to parity with other genres worthy of academic study (such as orchestral, band, and jazz). I want to see a Mariachi Studies degree established at the university level. I am known as the OC Mariachi Professor, teaching at CSUF, Chapman University, Santa Ana College, and UC Davis in NorCal.

I’m most proud of my entertainment company, which showcases talented alumni from the universities where I teach.

What are your plans for the future?
My biggest dream is to develop a Mariachi Studies program at the university level, where students can earn a music performance degree.

I’m currently applying for a doctorate program to become a full professor.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ocmariachicompany.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ocmariachicompany/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mariachifolklore/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oscargaribaymusic
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mariachifolklore

Image Credits
First picture is the OC Mariachi Company (Folklore, Tradicion, and Leyenda)

Second picture is Santa Ana College’s Mariachi Dons

Third picture is CSUF’s Mariachi Titans

fourth picture is UCD’s Mariachi Los Mesteños