Victoria Garcia

Then:

Victoria was living the dream before COVID. As a young freelance trombonist, she was invited to play regularly with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Boston Pops, the Esplanade Pops, Boston Lyric Opera, BMOP, Symphony New Hampshire, Vermont Symphony, Cape Symphony …and the list goes on! Victoria also gave private Alexander Technique lessons. When she was not performing, she worked  part-time job as the Ensembles Coordinator at Boston Conservatory at Berklee. Her calendar was always filled with upcoming performances and tours, and she spent every leftover hour preparing for professional Orchestra auditions around the country.

Victoria playing with the BSO

Playing at the Majestic Theatre with Boston Lyric Opera right before COVID hit

Now:

When the pandemic hit, Victoria was scheduled to perform the next week with the Boston Symphony Orchestra as well as play several performances with the Boston Lyric Opera. She remembers the excitement of how busy her week was going to be. On top of that, Victoria was looking forward to her first tour in April with the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra to the MidWest and then another tour that would take her to Japan of January 2021.

All of that, and everything else, was cancelled.

Since the start of the pandemic, she has had two gigs total. She was also furloughed from her part-time job at Boston Conservatory at Berklee. She has lost all of her income due to the pandemic and has been living off of Unemployment Insurance and other sources of aid which include the New England Musicians Relief Fund. Victoria still practices often in her small Boston apartment, although does find it challenging when it feels that there is “no light at the end of the tunnel”.

It’s hard to keep practicing without any audience to play for, so sometimes Vicky turns to her pups for an audience—they are always enthusiastic!

Hope:

Victoria has used the unexpected free time to explore fitness and cooking, and is enjoying these new passions, though she doesn’t like the overflow of dishes.

Victoria hopes that people are realizing the importance of live music now that it isn’t available. She hopes to see fuller concert halls and more outdoor performances once it’s safe to gather. Of course she can’t wait to get back on stage. She hopes she can bring with her her new found passion for exercise and home cooking.