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Teen teaches Mariachi music

Although the last school bell signals the end of the day at Mount Vernon Elementary School, a group of students shuffles into Room 23 without any hesitation.

They are greeted with a smile from their mariachi music teacher, Jorge Laris, who might double the majority of the kids in stature, but his youthful face makes it seem as though he could easily be their big brother.

And why not? Laris is 18.

Laris recently began teaching at Mount Vernon Elementary as the after-school mariachi music instructor for two classes in the school’s magnet program, Mondays through Fridays. He teaches a beginners guitar class for students in the first to third grades, followed by an advanced guitar class for students in the forth to sixth grades. Each class has about 12 students.

It’s truly a labor of love for this musician/teacher.

“We have to get the rhythms down,” said Laris to his advanced mariachi guitar class. “Let’s take it from the top.”

About 13 pairs of hands began clapping, then alternating with the stomping of their feet. That was the easy part — next, they add playing the guitar to the equation.
This is where the outbursts of “Oops, I missed a note,” or “I got it” — and the giggles begin.

Not letting the students take advantage of his young age, Laris asks them firmly, “OK, who thinks he knows the section we learned this week?”

He looks over to a student, who is methodically perusing his sheet music, playing it with the grace and attitude of a young mariachi.

“Anthony, come to the front please,” he says. “Let’s see if you got it.”

Sixth-grader Anthony Varro, 11, who has been playing the guitar for about three years complies with his teacher’s request, comes to the front of the class and sits in the hot seat without breaking a sweat.

His playing brought a smile to Laris’ face, which meant a job well done.

“He’s a good teacher. He explains everything really well,” said Anthony, who practices for more than two hours day. “I wasn’t nervous, it took me only two days to learn it.”

Laris is the fourth generation in a long line of family mariachi musicians better known as Mariachi San Marcos. He was about 4 or 5 years old when he picked up his first trumpet and guitar. The first song he learned was “La Mochila Azul (The Blue Backpack).” Shortly thereafter, Laris began singing with his family at events.

“My great-grandfather was a mariachi, then my grandfather, then my father and now, me,” said Laris. “Music has always been part of our family. It’s something that gives me a sense of pride.”

Currently, Laris is a music education major at Bakersfield College. Although he knows how to play the trumpet and violin, he is taking classes to strengthen his playing in those instruments. He also knows how to play the guitar, but the vihuela — a guitar used mainly in mariachis — is his favorite instrument to play.

He’s also learning how to write classical music and hopes to write mariachi songs. One day, he would like to work with Mexican rancheras singer, Pepe Aguilar.

Music takes center stage in Laris’ life. He currently practices with his family’s mariachi twice a week, gives private music lessons and practices with a band for St. Francis Church, which will perform on Easter and Mother’s Day. He was also a music teacher for the Kern County Youth Mariachi Foundation.

“I like Pepe’s musical arrangements,” said Laris. “I like playing veracruzanas because they’re written extremely well and have difficult arrangements.”

Back in the classroom, Laris asks Jacob Rocha, 11, to demonstrate to the class what he’s learned. Jacob gives Laris a faint smile and sigh before coming to the front of the class. He wipes the beads of sweat from his forehead before strumming his guitar.

When he is finished, Jacob has already critiqued himself, even before his teacher can offer some constructive criticism.

“I messed up toward the end,” he said with a smile. “I know I did. It’s because I got nervous in front of everyone.” 

Laris made him do it again and Rocha whizzed through the second attempt before walking back to his seat, letting out a loud sigh of relief before sitting down.

“When they’re at this age, they pay more attention — they’re more humble than older kids,” said Laris. “It great when you see the potential in them. What’s funny are the students, who are second- or third-generation Latinos, they will pick up how to play the music quickly. It’s like it’s in their blood.”