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Dan Bowles, Assistant Director 2016 – 2024
Dan was born into a musical family. His father, Richard W. Bowles, was Director of Bands at the University of Florida and a much-published composer. Dr. Mary Jane Ayers, his sister, is the retired head of the Vocal department at the Duke Ellington School for the Arts (Washington, DC).
Dan earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education at the University of Florida, played trumpet in the United States Air Force Band, and earned a Masters Degree in Trumpet Performance from the University of Louisville. He performed on trumpet for thirty seasons with the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera, directed the University of Chattanooga Wind Ensemble for four years, and was a founder and director for ten years of the Jericho Brass Band of Chattanooga. He is active in Salvation Army music as a Bandmaster, performer, composer and arranger. He has played euphonium since 2008.
Dan plays euphonium in the Venice Concert Band. He and his wife Karen, who plays French horn and piano, moved to Venice in 2014. He has two sons, a stepdaughter, and five grandsons.
Dan began piloting airplanes in 1984, became a Certificated Flight Instructor in 1985, and instructs and flies in the local area. An avid runner for more than forty-seven years, he enjoys competing in road race events. Dan and Karen together enjoy hiking and kayaking adventures.