A man with black hair and a beard smiling while holding a violin in front of a plain gray background.

Mr. Ryan Lopez

Ryan Lopez is a music educator and violinist based in the Athens, Georgia area. Mr. Lopez is currently the Director of Orchestras at Cedar Shoals High School, where he leads the school’s orchestra program and is committed to providing students with meaningful musical experiences both inside and outside the classroom.

Originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico, Mr. Lopez earned a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Kennesaw State University, where he studied violin, performed with the KSU Symphony Orchestra, and served as President of the university's chapter of the American String Teachers Association (ASTA). During his time at Kennesaw State, he also presented research at the ASTA National Conference and completed his student teaching at Pope High School in Cobb County, Georgia.

During his first year at Cedar Shoals, Mr. Lopez expanded performance opportunities, established student leadership initiatives, and strengthened partnerships with local music educators and professional musicians. Under his direction, both the Concert Orchestra and Camerata Orchestra earned Superior ratings in both performance and sight-reading at the annual Large Group Performance Evaluation (LGPE). Cedar Shoals students have also participated in the District 14 Honor Orchestra, North Georgia Honor Orchestra at Kennesaw State University, performed at the Georgia ASTA Luncheon with the Clarke Central High School Orchestra, collaborated with the Cedar Shoals Band Program in full orchestra performances, participated in the pit orchestra for the Cedar Shoals Theater production of The Wiz, and worked alongside professional musicians through clinics, masterclasses, and sectional instruction.

Mr. Lopez believes every student deserves an orchestra classroom where they feel challenged, supported, and valued. His teaching philosophy emphasizes musical excellence, curiosity, leadership, and community, empowering students to grow not only as musicians, but also as confident and compassionate individuals.

Contact: Lopezl2@clarke.k12.ga.us