Oscar Garibay

Oscar Garibay is recognized as a versatile musician. As a classical instrumentalist, Mr. Garibay has won several concerto competitions and toured internationally with various orchestras and bands. In his role as a mariachi musician, Garibay has performed on tour with the Grammy Award-winning Mariachi Los Camperos. He has also accompanied critically acclaimed artists, including Steven Sandoval, Shaila Dúrcal, Lupita Infante, Ana Bárbara, Yuri, Beatriz Adriana, Juan Valentín, Leo Dan, and many others.

Mr. Garibay is a pioneer in mariachi education. Under the mentorship of José Hernandez, the director of Mariachi Sol de México, Garibay became one of the founding teachers of the José Hernandez Mariachi Academy. This experience led to his appointment as Orange County’s first full-time mariachi director. He currently serves as the director of Santa Ana College’s Mariachi Dons, CSU Fullerton’s Mariachi Titans, and Chapman University’s Mariachi Panteras, all of which are Orange County collegiate ensembles.

Garibay also owns and directs five professional mariachi groups between Orange and Sacramento County. His company serves as a bridge between student musicians and the professional mariachi industry, offering a pathway for student artists to become professional mariachis.

In addition to his commitments in Southern California, Garibay serves as a teaching artist for the Northwest Mariachi Festival, where he mentors the next generation of mariachi students in Washington state. He also collaborates closely with his hometown roots; the Davis Joint Unified School District and UC Davis, where he directs their mariachi program to establish a citywide mariachi initiative in Northern California.