Every month, we like to spotlight one of our incredible Elemental Music teachers. Some of them have been teaching with us for close to a decade while others might be in their first year of working for our organization, but there is one thing that all of our teachers have in common: their dedication to the young musicians in our programs.
This month, we are featuring Miki Garcia who is our Teaching Fellowship Coordinator. Miki first started teaching with us over a decade ago. She is now a key figure in the Teaching Fellowship program, helping to shape our program for training and supporting emerging music teachers. We are so excited for you to get to know Miki and learn about the ways music has shaped her life and career!
Elemental Music: How long have you been teaching for Elemental Music? Can you tell us a little bit about your history with the organization?
Miki Garcia: I joined the Elemental Strings family in 2014 as a section coach for Prelude and Chamber Orchestra. In contrast to teaching my own elementary music classes during the day, it was a fun learning opportunity to take on a supporting role at Elemental. At some point, I took a break and obtained my masters degree. Then I heard about the teaching fellowship. I knew right away that I wanted to come back and be a part of this awesome program that nurtures and trains emerging music teachers from diverse or underrepresented backgrounds. We need more music teachers!
EM: How did you get started in music?
MG: As far as I can remember, music has always been a part of my life. My parents sang to me and danced with me, and played all sorts of music on the stereo – from Bach to Stevie Wonder, you name it. They brought me and my siblings to lots of musical performances. Our extended family held talent shows during Christmas and New Year. Once, my cousin and I composed a Happy New Year rap. It was a “rule” that my older sister, my younger brother, and I each had to play one musical instrument. Of course, in my case just one wasn’t enough! I started out with piano lessons, then added voice, briefly explored the flute, and finally the violin. I was attracted to the violin the most because I was mesmerized with the way the bow seemed to fly all over the strings. It also meant getting to play in an orchestra. Unlike the piano, which I typically played by myself, the violin was for playing with others. The violin is also very portable, so I played my violin everywhere: visits with relatives, schools, churches, Rotary Club meetings, birthdays, funerals even.
EM: What is one of your favorite musical memories?
MG: Music is tied to so many joyful memories in my life, but if I had to choose just one it would be music camp in the Philippines. It was a sleepaway camp at the National Arts Center, up on the legendary Mount Makiling. Participants came from all over the country and represented various musical disciplines (e.g., violin, trumpet, clarinet, piano). I felt motivated to practice because the camp was far away from the usual distractions of daily life. No TV, no homework, no city noise – just music. We lived and breathed music from sunrise to sunset. We had music theory classes, chamber music, solo lessons, performances by guest musicians, and plenty of time and liberty to practice in between classes. I felt so free practicing my violin outside, under the shade of the trees. But like most of the children I’ve gotten to know at Elemental, my favorite part of music camp was the break time. At that camp, we were fed nourishing meals and delicious snacks that kept everyone energized. I met my best friend at camp and it makes me laugh every time I remember how we went back to the cafeteria after everyone had been served to see if there was any extra dessert left. (We got lucky a bunch of times!)
EM: What inspired you to teach?
MG: When there’s something you’re passionate about, don’t you just want to convince everybody how awesome it is? It must have been something like that. Like I mentioned earlier, I took piano lessons when I was younger. Oftentimes my friends would be waiting in another room or listening from outside or right by the screen door of my house so that we could go out and play afterwards. My neighborhood friend and I loved teaching each other new things. She taught me street games, clapping games, jack-stones, and crafts (beading, friendship bracelets, origami, etc.); I taught her how to play whatever I was practicing on the piano and begged her to sing in the church choir with me so that we could also enjoy music together. That joyful connection and exciting feeling of sharing knowledge with another person is something I wanted to experience over and over again. That’s why I love being a music teacher.
EM: Was there a specific teacher or mentor who had a big impact on your musical journey? What did you learn from them?
MG: I’d like to give a shoutout to my amazing violin teacher from my college days: Michael Ferril. I always felt good walking into lessons with Mr. Ferril and even better coming out of them. He smiled a lot, shared anecdotes and told funny jokes; and he listened intently to my playing. Though I have no way of proving it, I am certain that he cared about me just as much as he cared about his more advanced students. He had high expectations, so I always wanted to show him my best efforts whether I was playing scales, etudes, or solo pieces. His office had a relaxing environment, which is ironic because he always had a pot of fresh coffee brewing and offered me a cup at the beginning of each lesson. Come to think of it, my love of coffee likely began around that time. Mr. Ferril was always kind and saw me as a human being, not just a student. He also picked out a violin that was just right for me. I first came to him with the same entry-level violin I had been playing since high school. Seeing that my instrument was in dire need of an upgrade, he helped me obtain a better quality and beautiful sounding violin. PSA to all readers: Take a moment to thank a music teacher who has made an impact on your life.
EM: If you could give our students one piece of advice, musical or otherwise, what would it be?
MG: Be yourself and embrace what makes you YOU.
EM: Is there anything else you'd like to add, that you think might be interesting for our community?
MG: Music is for EVERYONE. If anyone reading this article has thought, “I wish I could…[insert musical dream here]”, please go ahead and do it. You can sing or pick up an instrument to enjoy in the solitude of your home, or you can join a group class and jam with others. Or if you already have some musical know-how and have been dreaming of writing a song, just get started. It’s good for the brain, your well-being, your soul, and humanity itself!