Zach Garcia

As Zach Garcia explains it, he's always wanted to be a musician – well, except for those few brief years in middle school when he had his sights set on being an NBA player.

The 2012 Ada High School graduate certainly possesses the musical gene. Both of his parents are musicians, and his father, W.T. Skye Garcia, is also a music instructor at East Central University.

Zach began his piano studies at the age of 4 and moved on to composing his own works at the age of 8. He is a member of the 2012 Oklahoma All District and All State Mixed Chorus and recently became the only solo artist in the history of Oklahoma to receive a sixth gold cup in the National Federation of Music Clubs for 14 consecutive superior ratings in piano performance.

He attributes his strong work ethic to his Chickasaw heritage and says that he's proud of this ideal, one he believes to be common in the Chickasaw Nation.

"My grandfather was Chickasaw and he exhibited the same determination, the same work ethic that I want in my life and my career," Zach said, "as did my mom and her brothers – they're all extremely hard workers."

Not only is Zach an award-winning musician, he's also an honor student, has been a part of the Chickasaw Nation's Chikasha Apihchi Ikbia youth leadership program, was a starting athlete on the varsity basketball and cross country teams and is a member of the Christian rock band Bloodline.

Zach attends East Central University and is majoring in vocal music education with a minor in Spanish.