Meet the Director
From the Leavenworth Echo, 8-28-2008
Garcia To Head Up Music Program
Cascade Kodiak Band Director Skylar Garcia
Ian Dunn| Leavenworth Echo Staff Writer- Contrary to popular belief, a Cashmere guy teaching at Cascade is not a conflict of interest. Cascade High School’s new music/band teacher Skylar Garcia is proof of that. Though the two schools are rivals on the athletic fields, the Cashmere native says that doesn’t necessarily extend to the music room.
“We’re rivals in the athletic department, but we have a strong relationship in the band department,” he said.
The Washington State University graduate, a first year teacher, feels blessed to be teaching in the Upper Valley.
“I grew up here, and have had family here for over a century,” he says. “Its nice because I have this sense of community. I feel fortunate to be close to my family.”
When Skylar left for college, he did so as a fairly accomplished flutist. He went to WSU to study jazz flute with hopes of becoming a professional musician.
Honing his musical skills at WSU, Skylar was recognized as the top soloist in the prestigious Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival in Moscow, Idaho. He calls it the thrill of a lifetime. “It was absolutely amazing to play with those jazz greats,” he says. “It took me a lot of years to work up to that.”
Even though he had sought to become a professional musician, employment in the academic field was in the back of his mind as well. “Teaching was always part of the plan. With music, you can go to performance or education. With performance, you might have a job. With education, you will have a job,” he says with a hint of sarcasm.
Garcia was required to teach a music class as part of his audition for the job at Cascade, and that is where Cascade Principal Mike Hill said he really shined. “It was a lot of fun. I had to do an interview and work with the kids, which was the best part,” he says.
A new era of musical education is set to begin in the Cascade School District as the talented musician will be teaching music and band for both the high school and Icicle River Middle School.
