FEDERAL Way Washington music teacher, accomplished musician and medical scribe Elizabeth Larios will spend time assisting to teach marimba to fourth- and fifth-grade girls at a local private school in Windhoek, starting in January.
She sought opportunities to play music during her first trip to Namibia in 2020, but was cut short after only three months due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
She has joined the Sunshine Private School Marimba Band, an already well-established programme, teaching music skills such as visual effects (movements that enhance what they are playing) and technique (how to play in a way that puts less strain on their muscles and joints).
Larios has been playing multiple percussion instruments since high school. She was a member of Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) Percussion Ensemble and plays the marimba, steel pan, and drum set. In the United States, she taught students, through private tutoring, various subjects including maths, reading and writing, chemistry, biology, Spanish, culinary arts and music.
She teaches children of all ages, from about seven years old to 18 years old.
Larios said her interest to teach youngsters was sparked after she read an article in a newspaper.
“I saw an article about the Sunshine Private School all-girl marimba band and knew that I wanted to be a part of it somehow. Marimba is my main instrument and music is something that I’m passionate about. When I arranged to attend a rehearsal, I expected to just listen and watch. Instead, Mr Shepard and Mr Mushayi invited me to play with them during a rehearsal. When I left, I asked if I could attend another rehearsal and they asked me to help teach. I learned a lot from them those weeks, and knew that I didn’t want to change their playing style, nor their music. I just wanted to enhance their performance to bring the energy and love they had while playing music to the audiences that watch them perform,” she said.
Larios’s love for the marimba started at a young age.
“I started as a clarinet player in the sixth grade and switched to percussion in Grade 10. I started playing mallet instruments, mainly marimba, vibraphone and glockenspiel. At that time, I fell in love with the sound of marimba. I developed my skills throughout high school and university. I was part of the Columbians Drum Corp, Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) Percussion Ensemble, PLU Steel Band Ensemble, PLU Concert Band and have played various gigs throughout my community. I also have had paid performances at churches, farmers markets, festivals, businesses and other events,” she said.
Besides her love of music, Larios says she also aims to become a neurosurgeon and work in the medical field. She is passionate about public health and serving historically underserved communities, specifically immigrant communities and people of colour.