First Gen TAMIU Graduate Jared García-Lopez Eyes Opera Future with NYC Graduate Program

Summer Texas A&M International University graduate Jared García-Lopez is setting the stage for his dream career as an opera singer. This August, he begins a Masters in Vocal Performance graduate program at the prestigious Manhattan School of Music (MSM) in New York City.

His journey to MSM is almost cinematic in its inspiration.  Born in Jalisco, México, he first began learning English at age 8 after a move with his parents to the Pacific Northwest for shared work in the agriculture industry. 

He recalls a childhood often spent singing along to the radio. When he moved to Laredo and became a sophomore at United High School, he joined the school choir in his senior year, but the notion of being an opera singer was not a future consideration.

“My music interest started when I was around 13 years old. Though this didn’t initially come off as serious, but rather just a hobby. I didn’t know I wished to pursue music as a career until my early 20s as this only piqued my interest within my senior year of high school. In standard musician terms I realistically started as a very late bloomer, considering that other’s journeys start very early from the age of childhood,” said García-López.

Upon graduation, he enrolled at TAMIU, initially planning a major in Biology or Nursing.  A first-ever opportunity for voice training in TAMIU’s Center for the Fine and Performing Arts (CFPA) proved life-changing. Although he had already completed his Nursing prerequisites, he channeled his energies anew into pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Voice Performance.  He will be the first in his family’s current generation to earn an undergraduate degree

“Being only one step away from entering the nursing program at TAMIU, I had a drastic change of heart that called me to the performing arts. Although I knew the stress and dedication might indeed be greater than my previous degree, since I had no musical knowledge or background. I knew it was a risk I was willing to make as music is something that I had been invested in since commencing my academic journey in TAMIU. Having signed up for extracurricular activities such as private voice lessons, choir, jazz, and even taking part in the mariachi program during its highest stage,”

For García-López, music education is a vital part of who he is and has opened a world of possibilities for his future.

“I believe that music education is critical as it opens the door to a whole new world. The world which I’m particularly speaking about comes from the ability to understand how music is able to convey messages across thousands of people, even if such music contains no lyrics. The education that a child or even adult that one could receive from studying music, allows you to understand core values needed to build anything important in life. These values could be such as responsibility, discipline, management, emotional control, and critical decision thinking. Adding that music is universal and it also allows the world to communicate within a common language when language barriers are presented internationally,”   

He added, “Music education has also allowed for various career paths to be opened across time. Such paths are found in score writing for films and tv shows, commercial ad music, background music for live tv shows, the chimes and everyday notifications in our devices, teaching, live performance opportunities, sound engineering, and so much more. Music has been one of the biggest foundations of history and keeping a record of it through the means of education allows for those future generations who wish to invest themselves in the music field to be given the opportunity. 

At TAMIU, he studied under University assistant professor of Voice and Choir Dr. Jiyeon Hwang for the past two years and has proven a remarkable student and performer.

“One of Jared Garcia-Lopez's most remarkable qualities has always been his eagerness to learn. Throughout his studies, he was never satisfied with simply meeting expectations — in lessons, rehearsals, and performances alike, he asked thoughtful questions and sought to ensure he was approaching every musical and technical challenge in the most effective way. Rather than assuming he had already mastered something, he approached each opportunity with genuine curiosity and a real desire to grow. That humility and openness to instruction are uncommon among young musicians, and it allowed him to make exceptional progress as both a singer and an artist,” said Hwang. 

Elizabeth Jones Rubio, former director of Events and Operations for the University’s CFPA, said seeing García-Lopez’s growth as a student and accomplished performer was a highlight of her time at the University’s Center for the Fine and Performing Arts.

“He is a kind and talented young man who has impressed all of us with his commitment and passion. We’ve all been honored to be part of his journey, as we are of all CFPA students.  We expect great things from him,” Jones Rubio observed.

The TAMIU student who once worried his command of English was tenuous now sings in English, French, German, Italian, and Korean.

García-Lopez recently performed at the June meeting of the Ladies Luncheon Club at the Laredo Country Club, dazzling the 27 members with interpretations of “E Lucevan le Stelle (And the Stars were Shining)” by Giacomo Puccini and “Granada” by Agustin Lara.   Some featured former TAMIU students providing mariachi accompaniment including “Granada.” Club members generously donated to a Scholarship Fund supporting his graduate degree pursuit at MSM.

Persons interested in helping García-Lopez and his graduate degree pursuit at MSM can share their support by donating online at https://gofund.me/11a8a47e9.

MSM is a private music conservatory offering bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in the areas of classical performance, jazz performance, contemporary performance, composition, and conducting, in addition to a bachelor's in musical theatre.

Entry is highly competitive and the School’s faculty is drawn from NYC’s great classical music organizations, including the New York Philharmonic and the Metropolitan Opera, among others.

TAMIU offers a Bachelor of Music Education and a Bachelor of Music in Performance. A music minor is also available.

For more information on the degrees available through the University’s Department of Fine and Performing Arts, visit http://catalog.tamiu.edu/undergraduate-information/arts-sciences/fine-performing-arts/.

Classes begin Monday, Aug. 24, 2026. Late registration ends Friday, Aug. 28, 2026.

University news and information can also be found online at tamiu.edu and on TAMIU’s social channels on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube.