Juniper Arts Academy Welcomes Steven Garcia as Director of Programs
We are thrilled to announce the newest addition to the Juniper Arts Academy leadership team: Steven Garcia has joined us as our Director of Programs.
A native of Newton, Kansas, Steven brings a wealth of experience as a composer, educator, and youth mentor. He returns to Kansas after nearly a decade in Seattle, where he was a celebrated composer and sound designer in the independent video game scene. Alongside his creative work, Steven spent six years at Fusion Academy Seattle, an alternative middle and high school designed for students with learning differences. There, he served in multiple leadership roles—Department Head for Fine Arts and Electives, Wellness Lead, club sponsor, and ultimately, the National Curriculum and Instruction Lead for Music across all 84 campuses, including the Fusion Global Academy.
Steven’s educational and creative work is rooted in compassion, accessibility, and empowerment—values that align perfectly with Juniper’s mission to support trauma-impacted youth through fine arts education. His deep belief in the transformative power of music and art resonates strongly with our approach to trauma-informed teaching and social-emotional learning.
He holds a Master’s Degree in Film Composition from the Pacific Northwest Film Scoring Program under two-time Emmy winner Hummie Mann, and a Bachelor's in Music from Friends University, where he first connected with our founder, Lisa Paine. From classical viola and orchestral scores to rock, metal, and digital soundscapes, Steven’s breadth of experience speaks to his creative versatility and passion for mentorship.
In his own words:
“I am most excited to reintegrate back into the community that gave me so much growing up. I want to support my community and help inspire them with music and art the same way they inspired me. The noble mission of Juniper Arts Academy aligns with my passions, interests, and desires to help the youth in most need of support, compassion and hope.”
As Director of Programs, Steven will support the planning and coordination of our programs, contribute to curriculum design, mentor instructors and volunteers, and serve as a consistent presence in the classroom to ensure students experience a safe, structured, and supportive environment. His unique background will enhance both our artistic offerings and the systems that support our young people and teaching teams.
Please join us in welcoming Steven Garcia to the Juniper Arts Academy family—we are so lucky to have him home.
