Region Clinicians 2023 - 2024

During his fifteen years at Claudia Taylor “Lady Bird ” Johnson High School (CTJ), Jarrett Lipman established a tradition of excellence both on the concert stage and on the marching field. Jarrett opened CTJ in 2008 as an Assistant Director of Bands before his promotion to Head Director in 2010, a role he served in until 2023. Under Jarrett’s leadership, the CTJ Wind ensemble was a consistent Texas State Honor Band Finalist and performed at the 2019 Mid-West Clinic. On the field, the CTJ Marching Band was named the 2020 UIL 6A State Marching Champions and was a multi-time Grand National Finalist and BOA Regional Champion. 

Beyond CTJHS, Mr. Lipman is now a part-time lecturer at the Texas State University School of Music, working with future music educators. Mr. Lipman served student musicians as a member of the Cadets Brass Faculty (2010-2016) and presently as the Brass Caption Manager for the Boston Crusaders (2017-2023).

Emily Gurwitz is a middle school/high school band clinician and private flute instructor in San Antonio, Texas. She received her Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Trinity University in San Antonio and her Master of Music in Flute Performance from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. She was a middle school band director for over twenty-five years and her bands placed in the top 4 at the TMEA Area E Honor Band competitions multiple times. Most recently, she was a high school band director at Judson High School, and she has been a private flute instructor for over thirty years. Ms. Gurwitz has taught many masterclasses, Region Band Clinics, and various band camps over the years, including the Texas Lutheran University Summer Music Academy, the Interlochen Summer Academy in Michigan, and the Music for All Summer Symposium at Ball State University.

Ms. Gurwitz regularly has had high school flute and Piccolo students qualify for the Texas TMEA All-State Bands or Orchestras from her flute studio, and her flute and piccolo students have placed in the 6A/5A All-State Bands thirty-two times, including placing first, second, and third in Texas! Ms. Gurwitz has been married to Elliott Gurwitz since 1996, and they have two grown children, who are pursuing music in college and graduate school.

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.