Lorenna Keilani Garcia is a Filipina/Latina violist born and raised in Canoga Park, California. She began her musical journey at age 12, and her newly discovered passion for music led her to excel in her studies on the viola, and she made the decision in high school to pursue a career in music.
Lorenna went on to pursue her Bachelors of Music in Viola Performance from the University of California, Los Angeles, studying under violist Brian Chen. Here, she made her solo debut in Royce Hall with UCLA Philharmonia and became immersed in the LA music scene as an avid free-lance, studio, and orchestral musician. She also held fellowship positions from the esteemed American Youth Symphony and the California Young Artist Symphony. Outside of her classical career, Lorenna was a violinist and vocalist in Uclatlán, UCLA’s only professional mariachi group, and an active community member in the college’s Filipino cultural organization, Samahang Pilipino.
After graduating from UCLA, Lorenna went on to receive her Masters of Music in Viola Performance from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, studying under Principal Violist of the San Francisco Symphony, Jonathan Vinocour. At SFCM, she made her debut in Davies Symphony Hall playing in side-by-side orchestral concerts with both the San Francisco Symphony and The Academy of St. Martin in the Fields. She also won a position as section violist in the Stockton Symphony Orchestra during her time at SFCM. Outside of her career as a violist, Lorenna learned more about her passion for cultural advocacy and retention in classical music. She held the Community Development Graduate Assistant position at SFCM for both of her years in her MM degree where she helped cultivate feelings of community and belonging for student affinity groups throughout the school.
Currently, Lorenna is an avid freelance violist in the San Francisco Bay Area. She currently performs with Insight Chamber Players, and is employed by the San Francisco Symphony as an Adventures in Music (AIM) musician, performing for various SF public schools around the city. Her and her chamber group work closely with the SF Symphony to curate fun and educational programs for young children to help get them excited and educated about classical music. She is also the viola teacher for the Free Music Academy of Silicon Valley, who aims to promote diversity and inclusivity in classical music by providing free, online music lessons to historically-resilient young musicians by world-class trained instructors. Lorenna is very grateful for all the professional opportunities her musical journey has brought her, and strives to be a strong advocate for Black and Brown classical musicians of all levels.
National Philharmonic relies on the generosity of its donors to continue bringing you the music. Your contribution is critical to our continued success.