Berklee alumnus and head instructor of Holland College’s School of Performing Arts Music Performance program Alan Dowling was recently named the recipient of two music awards. The awards recognize Alan’s contribution to the music industry on Prince Edward Island in his roles of musician, educator, and mentor.

In January, during an awards ceremony at PEI Music Week, Alan was named the 2014 PEI Music Educator of the Year, an award given for outstanding achievements in music education.  He was recognized as an active performer in many genres and for his significant contribution in the creation of the Holland College School of Performing Arts as well as the founding director of the Holland College Welshmen Community Band.

This month, Alan was named a recipient of a 2014 Stompin’ Tom Award by the East Coast Music Association. Canadian icon Stompin’ Tom Connors will long be remembered for his unwavering support and invaluable contributions to the East Coast and Canadian music industries. Alan will be presented with his award during East Coast Music Week, April 2 to 6, in Charlottetown.

Alan is a music educator and drummer who has performed with Doug Riley, Measha Bruggergosman, Mike Murley, Bobby Curtola, Freddy Fender and many others. He has performed on several national CBC broadcasts for both TV and radio. After studying Music Performance at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Alan completed degrees in both music and mathematics from UPEI. He is an active performer in many genres and has played and recorded with artists covering such styles as rock, country, pop, Celtic, jazz, classical and world music. He performed as the onstage drummer with the Charlottetown Festival for five years and earned three East Coast Music Association awards and several Music PEI awards. He has performed at jazz festivals in Quebec, Nova Scotia and PEI and has made guest appearances with Symphony Nova Scotia and the PEI Symphony Orchestra. He played a key role in the creation of the Holland College School of Performing Arts and is the founding director of the more than 40-member Holland College Welshmen Community Band. Alan also works as a band festival percussion clinician and has juried nomination and funding submissions for Factor, the ECMAs and Music PEI.