Washington Garcia’s saga reads as if lifted from the pages of a vintage Hollywood screenplay: Piano prodigy born and raised in a foreign nation (Ecuador) receives full scholarship to esteemed American music institution (Peabody), thrives as a student while earning two degrees (MM ’98, DMA ’03), goes on to successful careers in performance (recitals worldwide) and teaching (Texas State University), obtains U.S. citizenship (2013), and, finally, establishes a vehicle to help others replicate his experience (the Texas State International Piano Festival).
“The festival is designed to foster the participating students’ artistic development, create an international network of musicians from varied backgrounds, and assist those who are financially challenged to study with renowned performers and teachers from the top conservatories in the U.S.,” explains festival director Garcia, 36, an associate professor of piano, assistant director of the School of Music, and coordinator of the keyboard area at Texas State, located in San Marcos.
The fifth annual festival, held over eight days this past spring, featured 54 participants from nine different countries in three divisions (young artist, auditors, and college), chosen by live or recorded audition. A distinguished faculty, including Peabody’s Boris Slutsky, conducts master classes; students give recitals; and a select group solo with the Round Rock Symphony is the fest’s grand finale.
Each year, Slutsky invites a Peabody piano student to perform a solo recital in the festival’s Rising Stars Series (this year: Maran associate professor of piano, assistant director of the School of Music, and coordinator of the keyboard area at Texas State, located in San Marcos.
The fifth annual festival, held over eight days this past spring, featured 54 participants from nine different countries in three divisions (young artist, auditors, and college), chosen by live or recorded audition. A distinguished faculty, including Peabody’s Boris Slutsky, conducts master classes; students give recitals; and a select group solo with the Round Rock Symphony is the fest’s grand finale.
Each year, Slutsky invites a Peabody piano student to perform a solo recital in the festival’s Rising Stars Series (this year: Marianna Prjevalskaya), with the festival paying all of his/her attendant expenses, an experience similar to the one that Garcia enjoyed at a different Texas piano fest while studying at Peabody.
“That invitation had a deep impact on me, so I promised myself that if one day I was in a position to do the same for someone else, I would,” Garcia notes. “I received so much from Peabody as a student, not only academically and financially but also emotionally. Peabody gave me the set of skills needed to succeed in the real world: how to manage my time so that I would be able to maintain a performing career while immersing myself in projects like the Texas State International Piano Festival in order to help others and make a difference.”
— Michael Yockel
