Dr. Erin Dowler is a clarinetist, music educator, and arts administrator based in Michigan. A strong advocate for diversifying classical repertoire, Erin’s pedagogy and research centers around discovering, teaching, and performing works written by diverse and living composers.

Erin currently serves as Second Clarinet with the Lansing Symphony Orchestra. As a freelance musician, she has performed with orchestras throughout Michigan, including the Marquette Symphony, Jackson Symphony, and the Michigan Philharmonic. She has performed as a featured soloist with The Ohio State Symphony Orchestra as a winner of The Ohio State University Concerto Competition, and has been a finalist in similar competitions held at Ithaca College. Erin currently plays with Pure Winds woodwind quintet, delivering concert series and educational outreach events to communities in Michigan. Erin is also a founding member of the Bella Clarinet Quartet, who are currently completing a recording project of clarinet quartets written by women composers.

With nearly a decade of teaching experience, Dr. Dowler has had the opportunity to work with clarinetists of all ages. She is the newly-appointed Instructor of Clarinet at the Oakland University School of Music, Theatre, and Dance, and continues to provide private lessons and masterclasses to middle school and high school students throughout Michigan. She has also served as a Woodwind Instructor at the Michigan State University Community Music School – Detroit, and as clarinet faculty at the Ithaca College Summer Music Academy. Fueled by her passion for education, Erin recently commissioned Sonatina for the Inner Child by Nadine B. Silverman with the goal of adding a new work to the clarinet’s pre-college and early undergraduate repertoire.

Erin is actively involved in arts advocacy and non-profit work in the city of Detroit. Currently, she serves as a Detroit Strategy Specialist at the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, working to expand the DSO’s participation in the growth and well-being of Detroit by supporting early childhood education, school music programs, workforce development, and community events. Erin also previously worked in administrative roles at the MSU Community Music School – Detroit, allowing her multiple avenues to connect and collaborate with musicians, educators, community members, and students within the city.

Dr. Dowler received a BM in Music Education and Clarinet Performance from Ithaca College, an MM in Clarinet Performance from The Ohio State University (University Fellow and Graduate Teaching Assistant), and a DMA in Clarinet Performance from Michigan State University. Primary teachers include Gerry Zampino, Richard Faria, Caroline Hartig, and Guy Yehuda.