People Over Programs Podcast

Episode Title: "That Face in the Faculty Photo"

Hosted by: Dr. Dalia Mercedes Garcia

Length: 10–12 minutes

[Intro music: Light, playful acoustic with a confident beat]

Dr. Garcia (warm, charismatic): Welcome to People Over Programs, where we spotlight what truly matters in performing arts education: the people, the purpose, and the powerful potential of every student.

I’m Dr. Dalia Mercedes Garcia, Coordinator of Fine Arts for Santa Padua Public Schools.

And before we get into today's topic, I have a confession. It involves tenure, shoulder pads, and a faculty photo that still haunts my dreams.

[Soft nostalgic underscore begins]

Dr. Garcia (with the timing of a stand-up comic): So, picture me: 19 years old.

Eager.

Hopeful.

Armed with a new professional line flute, a dream, and three shades of lip gloss.

And, I’m assigned to a professor for two full years. We'll call her... Professor Shoulder Pads.

Now listen — I’m not being petty. I'm being accurate. This woman had three outfits, all from the 1980s, all with shoulder pads so sharp they could slice bread. She rotated them every three days like she was on a strict “Tuesday is Teal Blazer Day” schedule.

When the temperature dropped below 50? Out came the navy blue sweater. One sweater. For every cold day. For eternity.

But let’s not get distracted by the closet. Here’s what really mattered: she never smiled.

She had the warmth of a frozen clarinet reed. She spoke to students like we were intruding on her personal space — by daring to exist. If you didn’t “get” her subject right away? You got sarcasm instead of support. Her feedback was cryptic. Her grading was like throwing darts while blindfolded. And somehow… she had tenure.

Dr. Garcia (more reflective): Looking back, I wish someone had said: "Dalia, don’t just look at the program — look at the people."

Because now I know what I didn’t then: you’re not just picking a school — you’re choosing the people who will shape your sound, challenge your thinking, and help launch your career.

And that’s why I want to share a brilliant article now live on Accoladi.com called:
“Reading Between the Lines: How to Really Read a Music Faculty Bio.”

It walks families through how to read beyond the credentials.

Not just where they studied — but how they teach.

Not just who they’ve performed with — but who they’ve mentored.

And yes… it even says: look at the photo.

Dr. Garcia (lightly laughing): When I read that part? I cackled. Because let me tell you — if I had just paused for two seconds to study Professor Shoulder Pads’ faculty photo, I would’ve seen it all. That same look of eternal disappointment. The one that says, “Don’t ask me a question or I’ll assign you a term paper.”

Now? I’ll never skip the photo again. I read bios like I’m a casting director for a Netflix series.

Do they look alive?

Do they have light in their eyes?

Or do they look like someone who’s been grading music theory finals since the Nixon administration?

Dr. Garcia (grinning): And I’ll let you in on something else. I’ve changed how I hire too.

When I’m reviewing applications for new teachers, I now pay special attention to the photo on the résumé. And if they don’t include one? That’s fine — I’m heading to LinkedIn. Maybe even Facebook.

Not to judge their haircut — but because I’m not just hiring a degree. I’m hiring someone our students will see every single day. Someone who walks into a rehearsal room with energy, warmth, and heart.

I’m hiring a whole person.

And I want our students surrounded by people who lift the room — not drain it like a leaky tuba case.

[Music swells slightly into a hopeful underscore]

Dr. Garcia (sincere and hopeful): Now, parents — I know your child might be driving themselves to school. They’ve got college brochures on the desk and earbuds in their ears. But as they face one of the biggest decisions of their lives, they still need you — your instincts, your wisdom, and your watchful eye.

So, here’s my encouragement to you:

• Read the article.
• Share it with your child.
• Talk about the people behind the program.
• And yes — zoom in on that faculty photo together. Look at the eyes. Look for joy. Look for someone who loves what they do.

Because your child deserves to study with someone who sees them.

Believes in them.

Pushes them.

Celebrates them.

That one professor can make all the difference — not just in college, but in the artist and person your child becomes.

[Outro music: playful jazz piano with soft drums]

Dr. Garcia (smiling): And as for me? I’ve retired my own shoulder pads. But I’ve gained some wisdom.

If the faculty photo looks like a passport pic taken during a root canal… maybe keep scrolling.

This has been People Over Programs. I’m Dr. Dalia Mercedes Garcia — cheering you on, believing in your child, and reminding you:

In music and in life… the people matter most.

See you next time.

Vlog Title: "That Face in the Faculty Photo"

Featuring: Dr. Dalia Mercedes Garcia

Audience: Middle & High School Performing Arts Students

Use: First 5–7 minutes of rehearsal class

[Opening beat drops – something punchy, hip-hop or lo-fi jazz]

[Dr. Garcia walks on screen holding a giant coffee mug. She's in a band or choir room.]

Dr. Garcia (with big energy):
Hey there, Santa Padua performing arts family!
It’s me, Dr. Garcia — Coordinator of Fine Arts — aka the person who reads your audition forms, brags about you at school board meetings, and still owns sheet music from the 1900s. Don’t judge me.
Now listen… I know you just walked in. Your reed is still dry, your snare is still tilted, and some of y’all didn’t even brush your hair today. That’s okay. I’m not here to talk about tuning or tempos.
I’m here to tell you a story.

[Cut to dramatic lighting. Slow zoom-in on Dr. Garcia’s face.]
Dr. Garcia (mock serious):
I had a college professor… who scared everyone. Let’s call her… Professor Shoulder Pads.
Why? Because she owned three outfits. From 1987. With shoulder pads so tall they needed their own zip code. I’m not even mad — it was iconic. But also terrifying.
Every Monday? Teal blazer.
Wednesday? Burgundy blazer.
Friday? Black blazer with the power shoulder energy of a linebacker auditioning for Phantom of the Opera.
Now you’re thinking, “Okay, that’s weird but fine.”
Oh no. It wasn’t the clothes. It was the vibes.

[Cut to Dr. Garcia sitting dramatically in a chair like she’s being interviewed on Netflix.]
Dr. Garcia (whispering):
She never smiled. She never gave encouragement. If you asked a question, she sighed like you had personally canceled her weekend plans.
Grading? Random. Feedback? Vague. Eye contact? Icy.
And I had her… for two whole years. Because she had tenure. Which is basically teacher immunity mode.

[Quick record scratch]
[Cut back to Dr. Garcia in regular light. She’s laughing now.]
Dr. Garcia (grinning):
Now. Why am I telling you this?
Because I just read an article on Accoladi.com called:
“Reading Between the Lines: How to Really Read a Music Faculty Bio.”
And y’all — I wish I had read it before I chose my school.
This article isn’t just for your parents. It’s for you. Because when you pick a college, you’re not just picking the marching band or the jazz combo or the dorm with the good snacks — you’re picking the PEOPLE who will shape you.

[Text flies in on screen: Pick your mentors. Not just your major.]
Dr. Garcia:
The article shows you how to read a teacher’s bio and figure out:
Do they still perform?
Have their students done cool stuff?
Have they taught around the world?
And most importantly… what does their photo say?

[Zoom in dramatically on Dr. Garcia’s face.]
Dr. Garcia (deadpan):
If they look angry… in their official photo… just imagine what they look like when you miss an entrance.

[Dr. Garcia scrolls through fake faculty photos on a tablet.]
Professor #1: blank stare
Professor #2: looks like she just stepped on a Lego
Professor #3: smiling, holding a violin like it's a baby goat
Dr. Garcia (pointing at the screen): That one? That’s your girl.

[Dr. Garcia now standing with arms folded like a college dean.]
Dr. Garcia: From now on, when I hire new teachers, I’m not just reading résumés.
If there’s no photo? I’m checking LinkedIn.
Facebook. Instagram. Carrier pigeon.
Not because I care about their hairstyle.
But because I care about YOU.
Your future. Your experience.
[Text on screen: You deserve to study with someone who lights you up — not shuts you down.]

Dr. Garcia (more serious now): You deserve professors who smile.
Who cheer when you finally nail that hard phrase.
Who see you.
Who challenge you, but also believe in you.
And yes… who own more than three outfits.

[Music softens into hopeful underscore.]
[Close-up on Dr. Garcia, smiling with genuine care.]
Dr. Garcia: So read the article. It’s short. It’s funny. It’s real.
“Reading Between the Lines: How to Really Read a Music Faculty Bio” — on Accoladi.com.
Ask your director for the link. Read it before your senior year. Read it before you click “apply.” Read it before you end up with someone who makes you dread your art.

[Dr. Garcia holds up a music folder like it’s a college acceptance letter.]
Dr. Garcia: College is coming. And when it does — don’t just ask about the dorms.
Ask about the faculty photo.
Because a smile says more than a syllabus ever could.

[Outro music builds — joyful and triumphant]
[Dr. Garcia winks.]
Dr. Garcia (final words): I’m Dr. Dalia Mercedes Garcia. And if your future professor looks like they just lost a staring contest with a raccoon…
Keep scrolling.
See you in rehearsal.