Meet Your Newest Faculty Members: Dr. Jose Garcia

Dr. Jose Garcia is the newest voice professor at Millersville University.

Q: Where did you attend college? What degree(s) did you earn?
A: I attended the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). I received my bachelor of music degree in music education from UTSA and shortly after began my first teaching job as a high school choir director in San Antonio. I further pursued my studies in music at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor where I received both a master of music and doctor of musical arts in vocal performance.

Q: How long have you been teaching?
A: Ten years counting my time in undergraduate and graduate schools.

Q: Where did you previously teach? What did you teach there?
A: My most recent service was covering for a professor of music/voice at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas where I was responsible for the individual instruction of a voice studio, a weekly voice seminar and weekly collaborative instruction with individual voice students and their pianist. I also had the opportunity to produce and present the first studio recital for those students at the culmination of my time there.

Q: Why did you decide to choose Millersville?
A: Quite simply, Millersville stood out to me because of its faculty and students. When I came for my on-campus interview, I was so impressed with the graciousness and receptiveness of everyone I came into contact with, most importantly the students. What I appreciated most was their honesty about themselves as well as their experience at Millersville. That to me was the biggest selling point.

Q: What has been your greatest achievement?
A: My greatest achievement this far has been receiving my doctorate and accepting my position at Millersville, which at the heart of it all is making my family proud.

Q: What did you want to be when you were younger?
A: My dream when I was younger was to be a doctor and not just any doctor but a brain surgeon. I’m not sure how that came about but that’s what my mind was set on. All these years later I achieved my dream and became a doctor in a field that I am extremely passionate about and enjoy working in every day.

Q: What awards/honors have you won?
A: For both my master’s and doctoral degrees I was a recipient of a full merit based scholarship and fellowship, respectively. I have performed at the Kennedy Center as part of the Millennium Stage series Conservatory Project representing the University of Michigan and selected to debut new works by composer Susan Botti in Rome, Italy at the American Academy.

Q: How do you like to spend your free time?
A: I love going to the movies and will watch just about anything. I’m also a sucker for good TV and have a few shows that I follow religiously, thank God for DVR.

Q: Do you have a favorite quote?
A: I know this may seem a little cheesy but I grew up watching lots of family movies, including anything Disney and this quote has always stuck with me from the Anne of Green Gables films: “Tomorrow is always fresh with no mistakes in it.” I find comfort in these words especially during rough patches of life and the realization that every day you are blessed with a fresh start, a clean slate, the opportunity to make the most of yourself and at the same time to be liberated from any shortcomings, imperfections or mistakes.