Mrs. Kim Garza

Kim Garza is the Director of Bands for the Lopez MS Band program. She is in her 25th year as a music educator in the state of Texas. Mrs. Garza holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education degree from the University of Texas-Pan American (UTRGV now). Prior to the Lopez Band current position, Mrs. Garza has held positions 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, all in San Antonio, TX and Associate Director of Bands at Del Valle High School in Austin, TX.

Over the years, Mrs. Garzas’ bands have consistently earned “Superior” ratings and “Sweepstakes” awards at U.I.L. Concert & Sight Reading contests and have been recognized at the region, area and state levels in the TMEA Honor Band State Contests. Her bands have also consistently earned “Superior,” “Best in Class,” and “Outstanding Band” awards at various music festivals around the state. Band students in her program have consistently earned high numbers of chairs into the Region XII bands and orchestras in the San Antonio area. As an educator, Mrs. Garza recently received the Trinity Prize for Excellence in Teaching Award in 2014, representing Lopez MS and North East Independent School District.

Mrs. Garza has been an active clinician, guest conductor and judge for both All-Region bands, UIL contests and summer university music camps in Texas.  Her professional affiliations include being a member of the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association and the Texas Adjudicators Association.

Mrs. Garza is married to Mr. George Garza, who is now a retired high school band director, but active masterclass and private lesson teacher in NEISD. They have 3 boys – Ryan-19 yrs old, Jacob-16 yrs old, and Riley-13 yrs old. They are truly a band family as all of their boys have and are currently participating in band at Bush MS, Reagan HS, and Texas State University, as well as the Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps. Taking fun family vacations, watching live music of all genres, especially drum corps shows, and supporting their local Spurs are just a few of their favorite things to do all together.

Mrs. Garza set out to be a band director and music educator back in her first week of her own beginner band year. Supportive parents, mentors and her faith have led her to living her dream for the last 25 plus years! Her greatest goal and passion lie in giving her students a quality education in music and showing them how hard work, a relentless pursuit of excellence and having fun can coincide to meet success. We are Lopez Band family!