As a celebrated music educator and pBone Music Ambassador, Ramón Rivera has been honored with awards from the Alliance for California Traditional Arts and the Mellon Foundation Fellowship. His work focuses on bringing diversity, equity, and inclusion into the music classroom, using practical tools like the pInstrument range to help educators incorporate Hispanic and South American musical traditions while building stronger connections with students and families.
For music educators, repertoire choices are more than just notes and rhythms - they are opportunities to connect with students and their families. When we bring cultural icons like Vicente Fernández into the classroom, we are not only teaching music, we are creating bridges of trust, identity, and belonging.
Why Vicente Fernández Matters
Known as the “King of Ranchera” and one of Mexico’s most celebrated mariachi singers, Vicente Fernández recorded hundreds of hits and left an indelible mark on Latin American culture. His music is woven into family gatherings, community celebrations, and the cultural memory of generations.
Ramón Rivera reminds teachers that simply acknowledging Fernández in the classroom can have a profound effect: “I like mariachi music. I listen to Vicente Fernández.” Statements like these, when spoken by a teacher, spark immediate connection. Students often go home excited: “Mom, my teacher likes Vicente Fernández!”
These small gestures build bridges between school and home, and they remind us that without relationship, there is no learning.
Introducing Mariachi in the Classroom
Mariachi is one of the most recognizable and celebrated musical traditions of Mexico. A traditional mariachi ensemble includes:
- Guitarrón – the large bass guitar that provides the foundation.
- Vihuela – a small, high-pitched guitar that adds rhythmic drive.
- Guitar – for harmony and rhythm.
- Trumpet – bringing brilliance and power.
- Violin – offering soaring melodic lines.
Even a short introduction to these five instruments can expand students’ understanding of mariachi. Rivera suggests trying “Mariachi Mondays”: play one short video each week that highlights a different instrument. Many ready-to-use one-minute resources are available on the mariachi section of the pBone website, making it easy to add mariachi to your regular curriculum without needing an entire unit.
“Without Relationship, there is no learning” – Ramon Rivera
Learning La Bamba
One of the best entry points into mariachi repertoire is the folk song La Bamba. While many students may know Los Lobos’ version from the popular movie, the song is originally from Veracruz, Mexico - a coastal region many students can easily connect to when they hear it’s near Cancún.
Musically, La Bamba is perfect for school ensembles:
- Accessible chords – only three (C, F, and G) on ukulele or guitar.
- Simple trumpet line – approachable for beginners, made easy on accessible instruments like pTrumpets and pBuzzes.
- Universally known lyrics – students can sing along immediately, regardless of musical background.
Rivera notes: “Everyone can sing La Bamba. It’s fun, it’s simple, and it becomes a starting point for mariachi in your classroom.” By teaching La Bamba, you’re not only giving students a performance-ready piece, but also planting the seeds for a deeper appreciation of mariachi and Mexican folk traditions.
Beyond the Notes: Building Community
The impact of teaching mariachi goes far beyond musical skills. When a teacher shows interest in Vicente Fernández or takes the time to explain the origins of La Bamba, students recognize it as hospitality. They feel seen and respected, and that connection fuels motivation and joy in learning.
Rivera reminds us: “You could be the best music teacher in the world, but without relationships, you’re going nowhere.”
By embracing mariachi, honoring icons like Vicente Fernández, and starting with accessible songs like La Bamba, music educators can build meaningful connections with their students - connections that last far beyond the classroom.
Watch the full Interview with Ramon Rivera:
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