Room Number: Maedgen 259

Dr. José (Joey) Holland-García received both a Doctor of Musical Arts and Master of Music in Vocal Performance from the distinguished School of Music, Theatre and Dance at the University of Michigan where he studied with the legendary soprano, Shirley Verrett, and the equally acclaimed tenor, George Shirley. His undergraduate studies took place in his hometown of San Antonio, TX at the University of Texas at San Antonio where he received a Bachelor of Music in Music Education.

During his career at Michigan, he performed several principal roles in university opera productions and was privileged to sing under the baton of world-renowned collaborative pianist and conductor Martin Katz. Under the direction of Grammy award winning choral conductor Jerry Blackstone, he performed as the tenor soloist in Rossini's Messe Solennelle. His experiences at Michigan availed him the opportunity to assist the internationally celebrated soprano, Ms. Jessye Norman, in a weeklong workshop of Ask Your Mama: 12 Moods for Jazz a collaborative effort between Ms. Norman and Emmy Award-winning composer Laura Karpman which was later premiered at Carnegie Hall.

Dr. Holland-García has had the distinction of performing at the Kennedy Center as part of the Conservatory Project, and to sing abroad premiering new works by composer Susan Botti, recipient of the Rome Prize, at the American Academy in Rome, Italy. He is also an inaugural member of EXIGENCE, a professional vocal ensemble highlighting artistry within Black and Latinx communities.

Throughout his academic career Dr. Holland-García has maintained a robust and successful private vocal studio and enjoys the challenge of working with students of all levels and vocal interests. His passion and love of teaching, especially in commercial and musical theater music, has established his reputation for excellence in instruction. His students have advanced and won awards through the Student Auditions for the National Association of Teachers of Singing and his private students have been accepted at some of the most notable musical theater programs around the country. In addition, his training and certification in massage therapy has informed his teaching and understanding of the vocal mechanism to aid in building body awareness.

Prior to joining the faculty at Texas Tech University, Dr. Holland-García served as Assistant Professor of Music and Chair of the Voice Division for the Tell School of Music at Millersville University in Millersville, PA. He has also worked in the public school system as a choral director and is certified to teach All-Level Music in the state of Texas for early childhood through twelfth grade.