A passion for music

Reyna Garcia Cabrera graduating this fall with music education degree

By California State University, Bakersfield

November 23^rd, 2021

Growing up in the small Kern County community of Lamont, Reyna Garcia Cabrera didn’t have an opportunity to play music in school until she was a teenager.

“I didn’t have music in my school life until I got into eighth grade. We just didn’t have any music programs in Lamont until then,” she said. “Even then, it wasn’t the best, coming from a low-income community.”

After Garcia Cabrera began playing the trumpet in middle school, she developed a passion for it that lasted through high school and into college. Now, many years after starting her musical journey, the California State University, Bakersfield student is set to graduate this December with a bachelor’s degree in music education.

After graduating, Garcia Cabrera will participate in a credential program on campus this spring with the eventual goal of becoming an elementary school music teacher. She wants to stay in the Kern County area.

“I want to give back to my community,” she said. “The reward you get from teaching young children something new is like nothing else. I want to build better citizens for this world who are going to have good values and be proud of themselves. I feel the best way to do that is through music.”

For Garcia Cabrera, a career in music education wasn’t always the plan. When she first arrived at CSUB in 2017, she was a psychology major.

“I knew I wanted music to be some part of my life, but it wasn’t really until I was more immersed into ensembles here on campus that I decided, ‘yeah, this is definitely the route I want to take,’” she said. “You know you want to do something when you can’t really see yourself doing anything else. I imagined myself in hundreds of scenarios, but it always came down to music.”

Garcia Cabrera said she enjoys music not only because of the camaraderie she has with other players but also the feeling and satisfaction you get while playing.

“Playing music is very personal and intimate,” she said. “Even if you play in a group, it’s an intimate feeling that you have with music. You’re all doing the same thing together.”

Garcia Cabrera has been a member of a few bands on campus and is also the president of the CSUB chapter of the National Association for Music Education. She was elected president of the chapter last year and has had other roles over the course of her education at CSUB.

NAfME is an organization that helps promote advocacy for preserving music education in schools. The association provides resources for teachers, holds professional development events and more.

“She has provided leadership to the group through the difficult circumstances of the pandemic,” said Director of Instrumental Studies Dr. Leo Sakomoto. “Her presence is always a positive influence on the students in the music program, whether in academic classes or performance ensembles such as Symphonic Band and Pep Band.”

Impostor syndrome

While Garcia Cabrera is looking forward to graduation, her journey at CSUB has sometimes been a rocky one. She said she has often doubted her ability to succeed and become a music teacher. Part of that was because at first, her parents were not very supportive of her career choice.

“It was not something they were very fond of,” she said. “You don’t often hear of people going to college to be a music teacher. It’s something that’s kind of rare.”

Garcia Cabrera said her racial background and gender identity has also been a major source of the uncertainty she has felt.

“I’m a first-generation Mexican American woman,” she said. “I haven’t seen many women who look like me become leaders or pioneers in the music field.”

It has been difficult for Garcia Cabrera to overcome the impostor syndrome she has frequently felt during her time at CSUB. However, she said she has been able to keep it in check and feels much more confident now that graduation approaches.

“Imposter syndrome never really goes away. It still sets in sometimes,” she said. “The way I’ve been able to manage it is by looking back on all my accomplishments and reminding myself that I can do it because of all of these things I have already done.”

It has also helped that Garcia Cabrera’s family has come to terms with her decision to pursue a career as a music teacher.

“They see I’m super passionate about it,” she said. “I think if your family sees you really like something, ultimately they’re going to be supportive of it.”

Garcia Cabrera said she is excited about obtaining her degree and participating in the Dec. 16 Fall Commencement Ceremony. However, she will miss CSUB, especially being part of the bands on campus.

“It’s very emotional. I feel proud of myself,” she said. “I feel like my time here went by too fast and there’s a lot of things I could have done, but at the end of the day, I’m content with my journey here at CSUB.”

While Garcia Cabrera will focus next on getting her teaching credential, she still hopes to continue playing her trumpet as part of a community band.

2021 Fall Commencement

When: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 16

Where: Mechanics Bank Arena, 1001 Truxtun Ave.

Admission: By ticket only. Each graduate will receive 10 tickets.

Check-in: Guests are encouraged to arrive early to navigate the check-in process, which requires proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test.