Meet the teacher
Dr. Ammi Lopez, a versatile flute player, began her music studies at the age of nine in her home city of Xalapa, Mexico. She completed her Bachelor of Music degree at the University of Pennsylvania under the tutelage of Dr. Naomi Seidman. Then, she served as a Teaching Assistant at the Longy School of Music where she studied with the well-known flutist Marco Granados, and at the University of Arkansas where she completed both the Master of Music and Graduate Certificate in Advance Performance as a student of Dr. Ronda Mains. She completed her Doctorate in Music and Arts at the University of Alabama with Dr. Diane Boyd Schultz, where she served as the flute assistant and performed with the Huxford Woodwind Quintet and Huxford Symphony Orchestra. She performed with the Boston Opera Collaborative, Sequoya Woodwind Quintet, Longy Conservatory Orchestra, and the Penn State Philharmonic Orchestra. Her music industry employment includes Blue Lake Fine Arts Camps, University of Arkansas Summer Band Programs, Wildwood Park for the Arts, Summer Academy, and the National Take a Stand Festival at Bard College. She has performed in masterclasses with Marina Piccinini, Ransom Wilson, Leone Buyse, Nina Assimakopoulos, and Susan Milan. Currently, Dr. Lopez serves as a music teacher at Jennie Wilson and Edith Scheuerman Elementary Schools in Garden City, Kansas, and as Vice President and Membership Chair at the Kansas Flute Society.
Tecahing Philosophy
My goal as a music educator is to inspire students to play with confidence, joy, and expression. I believe in a student-centered approach that builds on each student’s strengths and addresses their challenges. I encourage students to set meaningful goals and guide them through a sequential path toward achieving them.
For younger students, I focus on developing strong foundational techniques that enable expressive playing. With older students, I take a more reflective approach, encouraging critical thinking about their practice, progress, and musical choices.
In lessons, I emphasize consistent commitment, patience with mistakes, and perseverance, especially during recital or competition preparation. I value discipline, experimentation, and curiosity as key elements in discovering new ways to learn and play.
To support understanding in young students (ages 5-10), I incorporate kinesthetic and movement-based activities to reinforce musical concepts in an engaging and age-appropriate way. I also use positive reinforcement and affirmations to build their confidence and enjoyment.
For older students, I promote a more conscious and self-directed learning process, helping them to reflect deeply on their own playing. My ultimate goal is to guide students to become their own best teachers, capable of self-assessing and improving with independence.
In advanced group classes, I create a collaborative environment where students learn from each other. They share excerpts from their solo repertoire, receive feedback from both me and their peers.
Welcome to Garden City Flute Studio
Welcome to Garden City Flute Studio
My passion for flute playing and my desire to share it with others inspired me to open this studio. Playing the flute brings me great joy, and teaching this beautiful instrument is deeply fulfilling. I love helping others discover and develop their musical talents, just as my own flute teachers did for me throughout my life.
I’ve been fortunate to study with remarkable mentors who not only shaped my musical skills but also enriched my life in meaningful ways. Sharing what I’ve learned is my way of giving back and honoring the time, care, and inspiration my teachers gave me.
The mission of Garden City Flute Studio is to foster a supportive and vibrant musical community through the art of flute playing. Garden City, Kansas, is home to many talented students with a strong interest in music. As a multicultural town, it offers a rich environment where music becomes a way for students to celebrate their heritage and connect with others.
Through individual lessons, small groups, and larger flute ensembles, students will grow both musically and personally. They’ll have the opportunity to perform, collaborate, and support each other in a nurturing environment.
I believe music is a powerful tool for personal growth. It nurtures confidence, self-expression, discipline, perseverance, and stage presence, skills that benefit students in every area of life. Learning to play the flute also supports cognitive development, coordination, concentration, and breathing.
Whether you're a child, teen, adult, or senior, flute playing offers lifelong benefits and joy. At Garden City Flute Studio, we’re here to grow together through music.
Let’s Connect!
If you have any questions about what we offer, we’d love to hear from you. Just reach out and we’ll be in touch shortly.