McKay mariachi teacher plans statewide festival, grows new music program

Jose Caballero had hoped to take an automotive class his sophomore year.

The McKay High School student was disappointed when he got his schedule for the fall and found he’d been assigned to Música de Mexico instead. 

Caballero had never played an instrument and had no particular connection to mariachi, he said. But he gave it a try, picking up a guitar and learning to play under the direction of teacher Cindy Flores. He performed…