Meet Leti Garza | Musician and Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Leti Garza and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Leti, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Risks are essential to a successful life, and successful career. I have always chosen challenging paths, but it has taken me years to understand how taking risks can turn an ordinary plan into an extraordinary adventure and benefit one for life. To me, risk is synonymous with uncertainty, and within uncertainty lies the freedom to choose a path without expectations. Taking risks opens the door to increased creativity, and leads to opportunities that one cannot foresee. Taking risks doesn’t mean that one can’t plan. It means that if within your plan, something comes along that feels right, you can take a leap of faith. Taking risks also requires non-judgement; non-judgement towards those who don’t understand your art, as well as non-judgement of oneself. Life certainly doesn’t always work out the way you’d like, but in my book, challenges (ie. risks) always leads to growth, and assists you in the development of wisdom along your career pathway, and your life. If you look to history, one can find risk takers who have changed the course of our lives. It’s not always easy to take risks, but it’s never dull. Becoming a singer was a risk taken long ago. I was a professional dancer, producer, writer and more, but I decided to make a change in my pathway, because I grew up as a child with music surrounding me, and was in need of a change. One time a conversation with a fan in the crowd, led me to a week long tour in Cuba; twice. I did not know anyone when I left for Cuba, and could have easily said no. Instead, I now have a lifelong friendship with a band in Cuba, and learned how to sing Cuban music with greater authenticity.. It felt right to take a chance, I took a leap of faith, and have been grateful ever since.Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
What sets me apart from others is my commitment to create socio/politically relevant music. Today I am most excited and proud about the release of my latest album. It’s called BORDERLAND, and will be released on March 24, 202, on all social media outlets. All proceeds to benefit the Global Management Response, https://www.global-response.org/, an organization that is providing water, sanitation and hygiene solutions to the families at the border in Matamoros. It is about my experiences gathered at the US/Mexico border, and the protestors who are witnesses of the immigrant children who have been brutally treated since the passing of the Zero Tolerance Act in 2018. The music is global folk, the songs are in Spanish and English. The music is unrelenting, and deeply beautiful in its search to understand the complexity of border issues, and calls for attention to protect the innocent. Persistance, resilience and faith paves my way. The things in life that are easy, I’m not much interested in. There’s substance in work that has meaning. It feeds my spirit.If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would take my friend to Miller Outdoor Theatre and sit on the hillside looking toward the amphitheater. Then, I might head to the Museum of Fine Art, then Butterfly World. After that I take a hike in Memorial Park and try out the swings. Exciting? Interesting? Check out the Woodson Center for Research at Rice University, or the high school campus of my former high school, High School for the Performing & Visual Arts (now Kinder High School for the Performing & Visual Arts). There’s ALWAYS something exciting happening on these campuses.The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Being from Houston, I’d like to dedicate my Shoutout to my former high school, called back in the day, The High School for the Performing & Visual Arts. It held such driven, talented, hopeful people, both staff and students, and has influenced me to this day. Many of the students realized their dreams of becoming artists, over the wide world. Those that took a path outside of the arts, became mavericks, and/or supported those students who came after them. I am grateful for that experience, and always will maintain my connection to this school.

Website: https://www.letigarza.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/letigarza_/?hl=en

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leticia-rodriguez-188b3410/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LetiGarzaATX

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LetiGarzaATX/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLFE0WvL2BIEJJIg0j3XCvw

Other: https://letigarzamusic.bandcamp.com/

Image Credits
1. Woodson Research Center, Houston Folk Music Archive 2. Ben Marland, Sahara Lounge 3. Gary Blum, Texas Jazz Festival 4. Benjamin Porter, Private Event