Mariachi Institute

Chacala Mariachi Institute

The Mariachi Institute has been succeeded by the Music Teacher Training Program

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MEET THE 2018 INSTRUCTORS

JEFF NEVIN, Ph.D.

Jeff Nevin, Ph.D., Director and Lead Instructor of the Chacala Mariachi Institute, is Professor of Music and Director of Mariachi Activities at Southwestern College in Chula Vista, California, where he devised and is now offering the world’s first college degree in mariachi music (begun in 2004). One of the most respected mariachi educators in the

country, Dr. Nevin is also professional classical trumpet player, conductor of the Southwestern College Symphony Orchestra, life-long mariachi musician, composer, author and clinician.

His works have been performed by dozens of professional symphony orchestras across the US and Mexico. His first book, Virtuoso Mariachi (University Press of America, 2002), was called “A major milestone in the history of mariachi music” by the Tucson Citizen newspaper, and he has written a comprehensive set of method books, Mariachi Mastery (Neil A Kjos Music Company, 2006), that is used to teach mariachi music in classrooms across the United States and Mexico.

JOHN CONTRERAS

John Contreras has played mariachi music for over 35 years with various groups including Mariachi Nuevo de Tucson, Los Changuitos Feos, Los Palmeros de Los Angeles, Mariachi Tlaquepaque (Los Angeles), Mariachi Perla de Mexico (Chicago), Mariachi Azteca del Sol, and Mariachi Luz de Luna (co-founder). John has studied vocal performance at Pima Community College with renowned baritone Professor Ben Sorensen and is also

honored to have studied at the Los Angeles School of Music and privately with Maestro Heriberto Molina, who was the principal vocalist with Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlán for thirty-one years. John’s teaching resume includes over 25 years of private instruction, and direction/co-direction of programs at Mariachi Apache de Nogales High School, Mariachi Pantera de Amphi High School, Mariachi Monarca de Salpointe Catholic High School, and various youth groups throughout Tucson. Currently, John is in his 12th year as director of the award winning Mariachi Aztlán de Pueblo Magnet High School, one of Arizona’s most well known youth groups.

PERRY CHACON JR.

Perry Chacón Jr. began his musical studies in Chula Vista, California with celebrated Mariachi Educator Mark Fogelquist. A part of his studies, Chacón performed with the renowned high school

ensemble Mariachi Chula Vista as a guitarrón player and lead vocalist. With Mariachi Chula Vista, he performed in various Mariachi conferences such as the Tucson International Mariachi conference, Albuquerque Espectacular, and the Encuéntro Nacional del Mariachi y la Charreria in Guadalajara, Jalisco. In 2009, Mariachi Chula Vista also represented Mexico in the “Las Americas” exhibit in the Smithsonian Folk life Festival in Washington D.C. In 2012, Chacón was given a full scholarship to attend the Arizona State University School of Music and studies voice performance under the tutelage of Professor Judy May. Chacón received his Master’s Degree in Opera Performance/Music Theatre from Arizona State University this year, studying with world-renowned baritone Gordon Hawkins, and will begin his doctoral studies at UNLV this Fall.

DAVID GILL

David Gill was born in Tucson Arizona and began playing in 1987 with Mariachi Los Changuitos Feos. After graduating high school, he continued his musical path by playing with local groups in Tucson such as Mariachi Tierra del Sol. In 2000, he moved to Los Angeles to play with the renowned Mariachi Sol de Mexico. In the summer of 2001 he moved to Phoenix, Arizona. It was there where he started teaching community youth groups. In 2007, he returned to Tucson to take on a

full time teaching position. Today Mr. Gill currently teaches at three Tucson area schools. He has a profound love for teaching and is committed to preserving the art of mariachi.

COLLEGE CREDIT

College credit may be available for attending the Chacala Mariachi Institute. Please inquire if interested.

The Chacala Mariachi Institute provides music educators and college Music Education majors with the knowledge and materials necessary to become successful mariachi teachers. The curriculum contains unique and innovative mariachi pedagogy, sessions on mariachi history, master classes on mariachi instruments, full-ensemble rehearsals, writing music for mariachi and an exploration of repertoire suitable for student mariachis of different abilities.

The innovative structure of the Chacala Mariachi Institute provides participants with both the hands-on experience and conceptual knowledge needed to teach mariachi at the highest level in American and Mexican schools.

And the Chacala Mariachi Institute is the best value in mariachi teacher training anywhere. Registration includes 6 nights in the magical Mar de Jade Resort and three organic, farm-fresh meals per day. Plus, every participant receives approximately 2 years worth of mariachi music for their classroom: 25 mariachi songs specifically selected and arranged by Jeff Nevin (value $1,000) and a full set of the “Mariachi Mastery Songbook”, 36 mariachi songs for young mariachis (value $75).

And please BRING A GUEST: we offer a special reduced price for guests to cover just the hotel and meals.

2019 SCHEDULE COMING SOON

*****

2018 SCHEDULE

5:30 End of Institute recap, questions, discussion

6:00 Break

7:00 Dinner

8:00 FREE Mariachi Fandango

SATURDAY, JUNE 30TH

Check out & depart

MAR DE JADE

Mar de Jade is a resort destination hidden amongst the tropical jungle of Nayarit, adjacent to the sandy beach of Chacala. Known for hosting yoga -and wellness retreats, this is the perfect setting for the Chacala Mariachi Institute. Chacala is easily accessible from the US, just a 1-hour drive north of Puerto Vallarta or 3 hours west of Guadalajara.

Jeff Nevin

Chairman, Chacala Mariachi Institute