Mrs. Kim Garza

Mrs. Kim Garza is in her 26th year as a music educator in the state of Texas. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Education degree from the University of Texas-Pan American, now named University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley. Mrs. Garza is currently the Director of Bands at Jose M. Lopez Middle School in the North East Independent School District in San Antonio, TX. The Lopez MS band program is a proud component of the Ronald Reagan High School Band cluster. Prior to her current position, Mrs. Garza has also held positions in San Antonio as the Associate Director of Bands at Lopez Middle School, Director of Bands at Alamo Heights Junior School, Associate Director of Bands at Alamo Heights High School and Associate Director of Bands at Del Valle High School in Austin, TX.

Mrs. Garzas’ bands have consistently earned “Superior” ratings and “Sweepstakes” awards at U.I.L. Concert & Sight-Reading evaluations. Lopez Honors Band has been a finalist at the region, area, and state levels in the TMEA Honor Band contest. Her bands have also repeatedly earned “Superior,” “Best in Class,” and “Outstanding Overall Band” awards at various music festivals around the state. Lopez Band students have also consistently earned high numbers of chairs in the Region XII bands and full orchestras.
As an educator, Mrs. Garza was awarded the “Trinity Prize for Excellence in Teaching” in 2014, representing Lopez MS and the North East Independent School District.

Mrs. Garza is an active clinician, mentor, adjudicator, and guest conductor for both All-Region bands, UIL contests and summer university music camps around the state. She has presented clinics at The Midwest Clinic and had clinic and demonstration groups perform at the Texas Band Masters Association and Texas Music Educators Association conferences. Professional affiliations include membership in the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, and Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Association.

Mrs. Garza is married to Mr. George Garza, a former band director and now active percussion private lesson instructor and masterclass teacher. She and her husband, George, have 3 sons….Ryan, Jacob, and Riley. Sharing their love of music, taking family road trips and vacations, watching live music of all genres, and supporting their local Spurs are just a few of their favorite things to do as a family.

Mrs. Garza set out to be a band director and music educator back in her first year as a sixth grade beginner band student. Supportive parents, mentors and her faith have led her to living her dream for the last 25 years. Mrs. Garza quotes that her greatest joy in being a music educator is watching her students grow, not just in their musical journey, but in witnessing the life-long lessons, disciplines, and leadership skills they take away with them from all they have learned through music and being part of an organization like band.