By Alexandra Macia
Special from UTPB
University of Texas Permian Basin music education student Mariah Gomez is building her very own classical guitar. She began the process in May and is eager to complete it by early November.
“I tend to be a little over ambitious sometimes and will decide to take on new tasks on a whim. I’ve never worked with wood before or even held a chisel before this project, but I thought to myself, ‘I’m going to build a guitar!’” said Gomez.
Gomez is building the guitar through the DHSI Grant with her mentor Dr. Rebecca Babcock and guitar teacher Jacob Porter.
“I’ve been Dr. Babcock’s research assistant for a few years, and she has been such an inspiration to me in that she always encourages me to pursue curiosity and she reminds me that there is always something new to learn,” said Gomez.
Gomez was inspired by her teacher Jacob Porter. While he’s built many guitars himself, it’s his first time teaching someone else how to build an instrument. He says in many scenarios it’s made him think differently about the process.
“Last week, I was working with Mariah on how to hold a chisel in order to cut the channel for the rosette. I’ve done enough of them that I don’t really have to think about how to do the process. So, having to take a step back to think about how to tell another person to do that,” said Porter.
Over the years Gomez has borrowed a university owned guitar. While not uncommon, building her own is not necessarily an easy task.
“This guitar will be my first classical guitar, and it brings me joy to know I made it personalized for myself! I plan on performing with the guitar at my senior recital,” said Gomez.
After she completes the guitar, and a case for it, she plans on building another. She says the learning process has been so much fun!
“It’s been fascinating to learn how each component of the building process contributes to the final result,” said Gomez.
A member of UTPB Mariachi and a local group, Gomez is currently the only guitar student at UTPB. However, she hopes to see the program flourish and become more recognized.
“I hope that with this project, more people will become aware of the guitar program at UTPB and it will hopefully gain more students,” said Gomez.
Alongside building her own guitar, Gomez is the co-founder of Sound & Space Studios, a local music lesson studio in Odessa. She runs the studio with Founder and UTPB Alumni Joe Estrada.
Learn more about the UTPB Department of Music.
Learn more about Sound & Space music studio in Odessa.
