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.

2024-2025 Young Artist Instrumentalist Award Recipient

Ashton Horne

Biography

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.” In the summer of 2021, he joined The Annie Matot Jazz Quintet and has performed over 75 gigs across Palm Beach County including weddings, country club events, and private fundraisers. He also was on The Annie Matot Jazz Quintet’s debut album called Love Covers where they recorded 10 standards that are now available on Spotify, Apple Music, and all other streaming platforms. Ashton is a seasoned performer with experience and maturity way beyond his years. When he steps behind the drum set, he takes full command of keeping the band swinging and playing in time.

2024-2025 Young Artist Instrumentalist Award Recipient

Julia Basile

Biography

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!” She was one of the stars from TKA Jazz Ensemble’s historic performance in New York City at 54 Below. Julia’s Instagram regularly receives over thousands of views on her music videos. Even college professors are taking notice of her. Bethany Robinson, Director of Jazz Studies at Purdue University, stated, “Julia brings an unbelievable level of preparation, musicality, and confidence to every rehearsal and every stage. She is destined for big things.”