Band Directors

Kim Garza – Director of Bands

Mrs. Kim Garza has just completed her 23rd year as a music educator in the state of Texas. She holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Texas – Pan American. 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. Previous to her current position, Mrs. Garza has also 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 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. 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 a high school band director also in the North East Independent School District at Lee High School. She and her husband, George, have 3 boys – Ryan-15 years old, Jacob-12 years old, and Riley-9 years old. They very much enjoy their family time together and are now enjoying being band parents themselves! #gorattlers #gobulldogs Taking fun family road trips, watching live music of all genres and supporting their local Spurs are just a couple of their favorite things to do!

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 God have led her to living her dream for the last 20 years! Mrs. Garza quotes that her students are her greatest success. Mrs. Garza believes in the “whole” student. The more whole an individual, the greater the contribution to the team. Her greatest goal and passion lie in giving her students an education in music of quality, and showing them how hard work, a relentless pursuit of excellence and having fun can coincide to meet success.

Jessica Powell – Assistant Band Director

This is Mrs. Powell’s 14th year of teaching band. She began her career at Clark Middle School in Frisco ISD before moving to Plano ISD’s Otto Middle School in 2012. In 2014, she joined Mrs. Garza at Lopez Middle School where she conducts the Symphonic Band, assists with the Concert and Honors Bands, and teaches the beginning brass classes.

Mrs. Powell attended the University of North Texas where she graduated Summa Cum Laude with degrees in Music Education and Euphonium Performance. While there, she studied euphonium under Dr. Brian Bowman and was a finalist in both the Leonard Falcone International Euphonium Festival and The International Tuba and Euphonium Association’s Solo Competition. In addition, she was a member of the Green Brigade Marching Band and the North Texas Wind Symphony, conducted by Professor Eugene Corporon.

Mrs. Powell is a native of San Antonio, TX and a proud product of Winston Churchill High School in NEISD. Before graduating Summa Cum Laude in 2004, she was named a National Merit Scholar, earned a spot in the Texas All-State Band for four consecutive years, and served as Drum Major for the Charger Marching Band.

In her free time, Mrs. Powell enjoys spending time with her husband, Mike, and their dog, Brix. Together they enjoy live music, traveling the world, and playing Super Nintendo.