Not only is Sebastian Gallarzo a senior music major at Sacramento State, but he also works with Latino members of the community, promoting access to music education that otherwise would not be provided.

The Instituto Mazatlan Bellas Artes de Sacramento, also known as IMBA, is a nonprofit organization that works to keep the tradition of Mexican and Latin American heritage alive.

IMBA was founded in 1994 by Yolanda Colosio and her husband Arturo Ramos in order to provide a safe haven for children in the south Sacramento area. Over the years, the organization has incorporated arts programs to bridge the gap between access and availability of dance and music education in the Latino community.

It provides fine arts training for youth and adults at an affordable price in a culturally relevant way by focusing on Mexican-American culture and history through programs in classical ballet, ballet folklorico, literature and music. The organization serves about 200 people a month through its programs, and Gallarzo works with 30 students.

“What we want to do is get the young kids and adults to know classical music and maintain the tradition of Hispanic music,” Gallarzo said. “Everything is very basic because they’re starting from zero.”

IMBA strives to help counteract unequal access to educational resources for minority students through its programs.

“Because of different socioeconomic access to people of color, it’s hard to get in touch with the arts,” said Roberto Lopez, administrative director of IMBA. “It brings a different type of gathering in the Latino community.”

Gallarzo gives private lessons to children and adults of all ages, teaching them music theory, how to play an instrument and how to read music. Most of the students he works with speak Spanish.

“He’s very patient with the students and parents, yet he expects them to learn in a very conventional way and be disciplined,” Lopez said.

In addition to the other work he does with the organization, Gallarzo teaches beginning violin and guitar.

Miguel Robertson, 24, a senior music major at Sac State also helps by teaching members.

“Sebastian told me he needed help, because he knew he couldn’t help all of the students,” Robertson said. “There aren’t too many students in the music department that speak Spanish. I thought it was a good opportunity to teach.”

Sac State music professor Lorna Peters helped Gallarzo directly with his involvement in IMBA. She sat in on his lessons and helped hone Gallarzo’s skills to ensure he effectively serviced his students as a beginning instructor. Peters declined to be interviewed.

Gallarzo is planning a winter recital for his students in order to showcase their talent and hard work over the past year.

“Our goal is to make a little ensemble for a performance on Dec. 5,” said Gallarzo.

IMBA regularly puts on concerts and dance recitals to fundraise for its program, but has yet to announce the first recital for its music program.

In the future, Lopez wishes to add sculpting, acting and writing workshops to IMBA.

In order to find more information about IMBA programs and on how to donate, visit its website at www.imbasac.com

Briana Swain can be reached at [email protected]