Lynda Garcia was born in Washington, D.C., but grew up in Muskogee, Oklahoma. She began studying piano at the age of five. At twelve, she began playing professionally as a church pianist. At age sixteen, she graduated from high school and entered Oklahoma City University (OCU) where she accompanied the Surrey Singers and (Oklahoma City) University Singers.
During her junior year at OCU, she auditioned in the Lawton (OK) Philharmonic Women’s Association’s Young Artist Competition. As the first place winner, she performed with the Lawton Philharmonic Orchestra performing Beethoven’s Concerto #3 in C minor. The guest conductor/composer on the program was Norman Dello Joio.
Ms. Garcia won the title of Miss Black Oklahoma prior to receiving her Bachelor of Music degree from OCU. Ms. Garcia also pursued graduate study at Texas Christian University and Auburn University respectively.
Ms. Garcia has studied music with Eleanor Barnswell, Dean Clarence Burg, Ernestine Scott, Nancy Apgar, Abby Simon and Dr. Luis de Moura-Castro. She has performed numerously with the Oklahoma dinner theatres, plays and musicals. Over a twelve year span, she worked with several prominent individuals in the field of modern dance and ballet: Madame Yvonne Chouteau (former Prima Ballerina/Artistic Director for Chouteau Academy, Oklahoma City); Bojan Spassoff (former Artistic Director, Norway); David Holladay (Artistic Director, Pennsylvania Ballet); Patric Suzeaux and Muriel Cohan (NYC-Modern Dance and Mime Association); Richard Thomas III (Founder, NYC Ballet and father of Richard "John Boy" Thomas from "The Waltons" TV series); Daniel Levans (former NYC-Choreographer/Actor); Madame Olga Kostristzsky (former Instructor, Ballet Russe, Soviet Union); Peter Anastos (Choreographer, American Ballet Theatre/Film); Madame Maria Talchief (Prima Ballerina Assoluta, Chicago Dance Theatre); and Bryan Pitts (Artistic Director, Houston Ballet/Ballet Oklahoma).
After many years as a performer, Ms. Garcia has become an educator. She taught the creatively gifted students in Oklahoma City and balanced her time in two studios, teaching group piano classes in a music store for the Yamaha Music School.
In August 1995, Ms. Garcia accepted a position at Tuskegee University. Presently, she serves as University Chapel Organist, Accompanist to the University Choir and Instructor of Music.
She is the proud mother of a daughter, Elena.
