CHARLESTON, SC NEWS - LIVE 5 WCSC Breaking News, Weather, SportsLocal band teacher uses culture to reach students

Local band teacher uses culture to reach students

By Hatzel Vela  bio | email | twitter

NORTH CHARLESTON, SC (WCSC) - A group of Stall High School band students is using music to reconnect with their cultural roots.

It may be the first high school mariachi band in the state, said Braeden Kershner, the band director who has been researching schools around South Carolina and came up with the idea to form the band a year ago.

"There is no musical outlet for the Hispanic students in our schools," Kershner, 26, said.

"You don't see many schools doing this," said Maria Mortero, 17, a senior and member of the seven-student band.    

At their second practice Wednesday, they were learning the importance rhythm, said Kershner who added the group shows promise.

Kershner, who the students call "Mr. K," said the last nine months, students have been asking nearby businesses for money to help pay for their instruments.

In the mean time, Kershner has been researching the Mexican-style music.

It's a different approach to band, Mortero said.

"You're teaching everybody else at school what type of music you listen to," she added.

Mortero was born in Mexico, but raised in the United States.

Joining the school's mariachi band is a way to reconnect with her roots while still showing her appreciation for music, said Mortero, who also plays in the regular band and plays volleyball for the North Charleston school.

"Mr. K says that music is the universal language so that's how we try to communicate with them," Mortero said referring to the rest of the student body.

"Music is music. Old, new...I just love music," she added.

Passionate and energetic Kershner is on a mission to get them on stage.

"They have the potential to be a really good performing group and I just can't wait to see that happen," he said.

"It's just awesome that you are in a school where you have something that does not let you forget who you are and where you come from," Mortero said.

Kershner hopes the students will be ready for the school's Christmas concert.

Stall High School's  band will be having a car wash to raise funds for instruments this Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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