Biography
Professor Covarrubias holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Chicano Studies and Music
from U.C. Berkeley as well as a Master’s Degree in Education and a Teaching Credential
from Stanford University. As an educator, he has taught Elementary School to Migrant
students and American History/World History to High School students. Since 1997, he
has been a Full-time Professor of Ethnic Studies, Chicanx/Latinx Studies and Music
at San Jose City College. In 2007 he completed doctoral coursework towards a Ph.D.
in Education with an emphasis in Sociology of Education at U.C. Santa Cruz. In 2011,
he was honored with the “Educator of the Year Award” by the Association of Mexican
American Educators (AMAE). In addition, Professor Covarrubias is a Senior Lecturer
at San Jose State University in the Chicana and Chicano Studies department. His research
interests include Ethnomusicology, History, Chicanx/Latinx Music and the Latinx Educational
pipeline. Professor Covarrubias is also a very accomplished musician, producer, and
composer. He plays the guitar, keyboards, alto saxophone, and accordion. In 1989 he
joined “Dr. Loco’s Rockin’ Jalapeño Band” which became one of the Bay area’s most
critically acclaimed Latino Bands. He collaborated on 3 albums and has toured many
parts of the United States performing various genres of Latinx Music as well as presenting
Lecture-demonstrations on the history of Latinx music. He has directed music for theater
and has worked with El Teatro Campesino on many projects. Finally, he has recorded
and produced music in his home recording studio for multiple album projects. Professor
Covarrubias is currently working on implementing the Music Technology Recording Arts
Program (MTRAP) at San José City College.
