Read more about the energetic man who is the driving force behind the Society for the Preservation of the Great American Songbook and those who have joined us in helping with our efforts to keep this music on the airwaves for generations to come.

Wes Lowe

Mr. Wes Lowe is a Grammy nominated music educator with a passion for developing his students into skillful musicians and outstanding leaders. Mr. Lowe joined The King’s Academy as Assistant Director of Instrumental Arts in 2016 and was shortly thereafter promoted to Director of Instrumental Arts in the fall of 2019.

Mr. Lowe is a stand-out educator with a contemporary instrumental fine arts program that is taking on Palm Beach County by storm. Under his leadership, he has doubled the size of the band program through strategic planning and innovative performance opportunities. As an alumnus of The King’s Academy, he has utilized his knowledge and insight about the school community to revitalize the marching band. This group has gained national recognition through high-profile performances at Miami Heat and Miami Marlins events as well as Walt Disney World parades. Mr. Lowe, a Palm Beach native, values the impact in giving back to the community. He regularly features his Jazz Ensemble at retirement communities, charitable events, and downtown marketplaces to share the joy of music with the community. Mr. Lowe is closely aligned with the Palm Beach Symphony, Yamaha Music Corporation, Legends Radio 100.3, and many nationally acclaimed musicians such as jazz icon, Michael Feinstein, and Hollywood’s trumpeter, Wayne Bergeron. These partnerships have provided a premier and unprecedented musical experience for his students.

Continue reading >> Wes Lowe Biography

Ashton Horne & Julia Basile

2024-2025 Young Artist Award Recipients

Ashton Horne is an upcoming senior at The King’s Academy, and one of Florida’s top emerging drummers within the state. He has played the drums since his first birthday when he received his first drum kit. Since then, he has played drums for his church for over 8 years and has been the lead drum set player for The King’s Academy Jazz Ensemble for over 4 years. He has performed alongside Jazz legends like Wendy Moten, Wycliffe Gordon, and Wayne Bergeron. From NBC’s The Voice, Wendy Moten stated that “Ashton not only makes every song great, but he’s a star in the making.”

Julia Basile is a rising senior at The King’s Academy and an incredible trombonist that will have an amazing career as a performer. Julia started playing the trombone in 4th grade and since that moment, she has fallen in love with it. She has grown into an accomplished artist with her own solo gigs and as a featured soloist with The King’s Academy Instrumental Arts Program. Julia has been the lead trombonist for The King’s Academy Jazz Ensemble for over 2 years and has soloed alongside amazing artists like Wycliffe Gordon and Wendy Moten. Professional Jazz Trombonist Wycliffe Gordon stated it perfectly, “Julia has what you can’t teach…soul!”

Continue reading >> Young Artist Award Recipients