Band Director

Mr. John A. Dowler was born and raised right here in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. His first band experience was at Pryor Middle School where he played the Tenor Saxophone. He later went on the become a “Stylemarcher” at Choctawhatchee Senior High School were he also served as Drum Major for his senior year.

He went on the pursue a degree in music at the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. There, he studied saxophone with Dr. Lawrence Gwozdz and Mr. Larry Panella. He performed with The PRIDE of Mississippi Marching Band, USM Wind Ensemble, USM Symphonic Winds, USM Concert Band, USM Jazz Lab Band I, USM Sax-Chamber Orchestra, and was a founding member of the Renaissance Saxophone Quartet.

In the spring of 2002, Mr. Dowler traveled to Cheshunt, United Kingdom as part of USM’s study abroad program. While there, he spent 2 months interning at the East Herts Music Centre with Mr. David Boarder.

After graduating with a degree in Music Education: Instrumental Studies and a degree in Music: Jazz Studies, both with honors, Mr. Dowler traveled to Miami, Florida where he taught for 3 years at G. Holmes Braddock Senior High School.

After taking some time off from teaching to pursue his love of cooking, Mr. Dowler returned to Fort Walton Beach where he began working at Playground Music Center in their Music Education and Wellness Center as a private lesson instructor.

Mr. Dowler is currently a member of the The National Association of Music Educators (MENC), Florida’s Music Educator’s Association, Florida Bandmasters Association, International Association of Jazz Educators, and the National Band Association and the Okaloosa.

In his spare time, Mr. Dowler continues to give private lesssons at Playground Music Center, expand his talents as a cook, and raise 5 Silky Terriers.

			MR. DOWLER Mr. John A. Dowler was born and raised right here in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. His first band experience was at Pryor Middle School where he played the Tenor Saxophone. He later went on the become a “Stylemarcher” at Choctawhatchee Senior High School were he also served as Drum Major for his senior year. He went on the pursue a degree in music at the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. There, he studied saxophone with Dr. Lawrence Gwozdz and Mr. Larry Panella. He performed with The PRIDE of Mississippi Marching Band, USM Wind Ensemble, USM Symphonic Winds, USM Concert Band, USM Jazz Lab Band I, USM Sax-Chamber Orchestra, and was a founding member of the Renaissance Saxophone Quartet. In the spring of 2002, Mr. Dowler traveled to Cheshunt, United Kingdom as part of USM’s study abroad program. While there, he spent 2 months interning at the East Herts Music Centre with Mr. David Boarder. After graduating with a degree in Music Education: Instrumental Studies and a degree in Music: Jazz Studies, both with honors, Mr. Dowler traveled to Miami, Florida where he taught for 3 years at G. Holmes Braddock Senior High School. After taking some time off from teaching to pursue his love of cooking, Mr. Dowler returned to Fort Walton Beach where he began working at Playground Music Center in their Music Education and Wellness Center as a private lesson instructor. Mr. Dowler is currently a member of the The National Association of Music Educators (MENC), Florida’s Music Educator’s Association, Florida Bandmasters Association, International Association of Jazz Educators, and the National Band Association and the Okaloosa. In his spare time, Mr. Dowler continues to give private lesssons at Playground Music Center, expand his talents as a cook, and raise 5 Silky Terriers.

Mr. John A. Dowler MS. Mary Gunter Principal Band Director jdowler @ lizajackson.org