Wes Lowe

Biography

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.

Mr. Lowe has received national recognition for his outstanding work. He was selected as one of Yamaha’s 40 Under 40 Music Educators for 2022. He also earned a quarterfinalist spot for the Grammy Music Educator Award. Recently, Mr. Lowe was recognized as the 2022 Palm Beach Illustrated’s Educator of the Year, the 2021 Palm Beach Symphony’s Instrumental Music Teacher of the Year, and the 2022 Randolph A. Frank Prize winner for Emerging Performing Arts Educator. His students have been accepted into premier music programs across the country, including Eastman School of Music, Boston Conservatory at Berklee, Indiana University, and New York University. Mr. Lowe’s students have been recognized as top musicians in the All-National and All-State Concert Bands as well as Young Artist of the Year recipients from The Society for the Preservation of the Great American Songbook.

Mr. Lowe’s exceptional leadership spans a broad range of students beginning in 4^th grade and continuing through their senior year of high school. By designing curriculum that is modern and age-appropriate, he keeps his classes relevant and engaging for all. He inspires them to be well-rounded musicians through the introduction of different music genres including classical, jazz, pop, and rock. Mr. Lowe strives to create an innovative program that prepares his students to be successful in today’s society. He is not afraid to take chances to provide unique performing opportunities for his students. Recently, he created and inspired a student-run jazz quintet that has quickly become a highly sought-after ensemble with performances at The Breakers, Harriet Himmel Theater, and Kravis Center for the Performing Arts. His goal is to use music as a vehicle to produce dynamic young leaders who will seek to have a positive impact upon the community.

2025-2026 Young Artist Vocalist Award Recipient

McKenna Taylor

Biography

Raised in a musically rich household, McKenna Taylor has been immersed in the world of sound and song from the very beginning. Her passion for music blossomed early, inspired by a wide range of styles and genres that shaped her artistic curiosity. In 2022, with the encouragement of her parents, she began formal vocal training, quickly establishing herself as a dedicated and expressive young vocalist.

After four years of study, McKenna made her solo performance debut in her coach’s 2025 summer vocal showcase, delivering multiple selections that highlighted her growing technical skill and stage presence. That same year, she earned the role of Queen Nefertari in The Prince of Egypt at The King’s Academy—an opportunity that further showcased her dramatic sensibilities and commitment to storytelling through music. She has since joined the school Jazz Ensemble and Choir, continuing to expand her experience in ensemble performance.

McKenna’s love for music deepens with every new challenge. She is eager to continue refining her craft, embracing fresh opportunities in vocal performance, and exploring the vibrant world of the performing arts.

2025-2026 Young Artist Instrumentalist Award Recipient

Stephen Boylan

Biography

Stephen Boylan is a saxophonist and clarinetist from West Palm Beach, Florida, recognized for his leadership as lead alto sax in The King’s Academy Jazz Ensemble and Symphony Orchestra. As a senior in high school, he is a distinguished member of The King’s Academy’s Smith Family Conservatory of the Arts and is on the way to earning the Conservatory’s prestigious Distinction in Instrumental Arts.

In his young high school career, Stephen has built an exceptional performance résumé. As lead alto sax for The King’s Academy Jazz Ensemble, he performed in the first-ever high school jazz band concert at the legendary 54 Below Supper Club in New York City (2024, 2025). He has shared the stage with world-renowned artists including Grammy-winning trumpeter Wayne Bergeron, fifteen-time “Trombonist of the Year” Wycliffe Gordon, The Voice finalist Wendy Moten, Grammy-winning flautist Nestor Torres, and Soul Train Award winner Nicole Henry. Stephen has also participated in masterclasses with iconic musicians such as Arturo Sandoval, Michael Feinstein, Kirk Whalum, and acclaimed arranger Mark Taylor.

With the TKA Symphony Orchestra, Stephen has served as 1st Chair Alto Saxophone in multiple major productions, including The Best of Broadway (2024, 2025) and Night at the Movies (2023). He has additionally performed at home football games and at Miami Marlins and Miami Heat events, including halftime shows featuring Let’s Get Loud, I’m Still Standing, I Will Survive/Survivor, and Since U Been Gone.

Stephen’s upcoming endeavors include recording You Raise Me Up with Kenny G, the best-selling instrumental artist of all time, in January 2026, and performing as lead alto sax at the White House in Washington, D.C. in December 2025.

Dedicated, disciplined, and passionate, Stephen continues to develop as a performer and collaborator while preparing for the next chapter of his musical career.