When Washington Garcia talks about his life, he uses words like “blessed” and “miracle.” As he details his journey from a cash-strapped young boy in his native Ecuador to piano star and then dean of Stetson University’s School of Music, you understand why.
Colleagues point to his contributions to the Central Florida cultural scene since arriving at the DeLand university in 2021, and call him a blessing in return.
For Garcia, who will perform with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra in a sold-out March 25 concert, “giving back” is more than an ideal; it is a sacred mission.
“Music has the power to change lives,” he says. “I always knew I would have the big responsibility to give to others as was done for me.”
Since coming to Central Florida, Garcia has joined the Orlando Philharmonic board, instituted a partnership with Opera Orlando, started a program to take Stetson students to Carnegie Hall and developed a music festival that will debut this summer. He has dreams for a new performing arts center at the university.
“Really, we’re all one community,” he says. “The more bridges we build and collaborations we have, it helps us achieve what we all want: Support the new generation of young artists and bring more music to Central Florida.”
It’s all a long way from Ecuador, where Garcia’s journey started. And as he’s keenly aware, it’s a journey that couldn’t have happened without a lot of help.
‘I got lucky’
Garcia’s parents were always supportive and strove to give him a better life beyond their means. He remembers how his dad helped him mature with one-on-one time during drives.
“My father would stop the car a couple of blocks from home, mentor me, talk to me about being a leader,” he says.
His mother was a persuasive woman. She knew her son would need to speak English to get ahead in the world. But at age 12, he was doing poorly in school, and there was no money for a tutor. A scholarship from London-based Lloyds Bank helped, but it was running out.
Garcia recalls his mother going to the British embassy and appealing directly to the United Kingdom’s ambassador.
“He gave me a scholarship,” Garcia says. “They paid for six years of English studies. I got lucky.”
Meanwhile, his reputation as a young piano prodigy was growing. He started his musical studies at age 6 and debuted with the National Ecuadoran Symphony Orchestra at age 15.
He was selected to perform at a prestigious music event in Japan, but once again, money was a problem. How to pay for the flight?
This time, mom “went to Continental Airlines [later part of United Airlines] and explained the situation” to a corporate official, he remembers. She was told, “As long as he’s a student, we will cover his tickets” — not just to Japan but anywhere.
“It was a miracle,” Garcia says.
‘No way to repay’
He graduated from the National Conservatory of Music in Ecuador, and then those English lessons and plane tickets really proved their worth: As part of its Fellowships of the Americas program, the Kennedy Center awarded him a grant to come to the United States for intensive further studies at the Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore.
“I came, and I never returned,” says Garcia, who became a U.S. citizen in 2013.
He received a seven-year “free ride” at the Peabody Institute, during which time he earned master’s and doctoral degrees. When he graduated at age 25, he was the youngest Latin American to earn a doctorate in piano performance from the school.
Later, visiting a faculty mentor, “I was crying,” he remembers. “I said, ‘I have no way to repay you.'”
So he started thinking about ways to pay back the universe for his blessings: “Help, give, create, support” were the words that came to mind. His mission was born.
‘Bring people together’
In Central Florida, after a stint as founding director of the School of Music at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, Garcia is committed to providing opportunities for his Stetson students.
His affiliation with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, for example, has led to Stetson music students singing at a May 11 Philharmonic concert.
“His service has expanded our relationship with Stetson University,” says orchestra board president Melody Lynch. “Dr. Garcia brings a wealth of musical knowledge and expertise to the OPO board of directors.”
At Opera Orlando, general director Gabriel Preisser was impressed by Garcia’s initiative in teaming on a new program that lets Stetson students serve as apprentices with the company for college credit.
“He came to us, and that doesn’t always happen,” Preisser says. “He understands the importance of partnerships, collaborations and professional opportunities for his students. I think he’s a real asset to our community.”
The program is about to enter its second year, with a new round of auditions planned.
Garcia says collaborating is essential: “It gives me a really great opportunity to continue to fulfill my mission in life, which is to bring people together.”
He has his sights set beyond Central Florida. A program he instituted lets students compete for the chance to win an all-expense-paid trip to New York City to perform at Carnegie Hall. The last performance there by Stetson’s students sold out, he says.
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In July, Garcia will debut a new festival on campus for students. Ensembles from around the country will perform, Grammy-winning musician José Valentino will give classes on entrepreneurship and production, a community day will bring performances to local hospitals and senior housing.
Many events will be open to the public, and Garcia knows that the larger music community will also be watching.
“It’s expanding our national visibility,” he says. “It’s taking Stetson from a Florida gem to a national treasure.”
Preisser, for one, believes Garcia is the man who can make that happen.
“Stetson is a hidden gem, and I think he’s going to put it on the map,” he says.
‘The best thing’
Garcia extols a Stetson program that funds student projects, such as attending conducting workshops or specialty opera programs — a reminder of the financial help he received along the way. And he meets with every applicant to Stetson’s School of Music, a tribute to those who shared their time with him.
He has a personal reason for being invested in the next generation of music makers: his two sons, ages 5 and 7. Piano is already part of their lives — the older has started lessons — and how could it not be? Their mother, Valeria Aguilar, is also a trained pianist — although after earning an MBA, her day job is now vice president for fixed-income solutions with the financial-services company BNY Mellon | Pershing.
“She helps with the math homework,” Garcia says. The foursome reside in Lake Mary and have a typical family life — running children to activities — plus the bonuses that come with living in Central Florida, ie. theme-park outings.
“I know more about Disney music than classical music right now,” Garcia jokes. “I’m a huge fan.”
He remembers playing chess and enjoying cooking before family life took over his free time.
“My wife and my kids are the best things that happened to me,” he says.
Garcia doesn’t sleep much now, he says, but he has even bigger plans for the future: A new performing arts center with “the best acoustic hall on a college campus in the state” for Stetson. He stresses it’s still in very early brainstorming stages, with a financial feasibility study underway. But he’s hopeful.
“It’s going to be a game-changer for the entire community,” he says.
First, though, there’s the Philharmonic concert to play. He doesn’t get the jitters.
“I think I’m more nervous about my 5-year-old and 7-year-old breaking something,” Garcia says with a laugh.
But it allows him to reflect on why music is important, especially for young people. He uses his own son, who is still young enough to get nervous, as an example.
“He is confirming what I have always known: Music develops skills in children that help them do better in school, but it also gives them real-life skills,” Garcia says. “In his case, it’s self-confidence.”
He’s teaching his son that learning and perseverance are key to success.
“There may be mistakes,” when his son plays, Garcia says, “but he can go through them and fix them and continue.”
Those are lessons that have served Garcia well — along with expressing gratitude for the help he was given along the way.
“I thank God for blessing me to be here,” he says. “My life has been a miracle.”
Follow me at facebook.com/matthew.j.palm or email me at [email protected]. Find more arts news at OrlandoSentinel.com/entertainment.
