Devon Howard
Devon Howard, DMA
Department of Music
Assistant Professor and Department Chair
(817) 202-6442
D.M.A. Arizona State University, 2012
B.A. Organ Performance, Southern Adventist University, 2003
Served as assistant to the choral department at Southern Adventist University. During that time he conducted many ensembles, substitute taught theory, history and general music courses, established a concert choir specializing in Renaissance and Baroque music, and directed a department Christmas musical theatre production.
Apprenticed as an organ builder for the firm Richards, Fowkes & Co. of Ooltewah, TN
Studied organ performance and technique as a Fulbright Scholar with Prof. Aart Bergwerff at Codarts Conservatorium in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, 2005-2006
Worked as Full-time Director of Worship and Music at a large two-campus Lutheran church in Mesa, Arizona
Served as the continuo organist for the Phoenix Symphony
Served as a Director of Worship and Arts, and was the organist at the Kettering Seventh-day Adventist Church in Kettering, Ohio
Devon Howard, D.M.A., was born in Colorado and began piano studies at the age of eight. He began organ studies at the age of thirteen. In 1999, Devon studied for one year with Donald Sutherland at the Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore, Maryland, before transferring to Southern Adventist University in Collegedale, Tennessee.
Later, Devon lived and studied in The Netherlands at Codarts Conservatorium in Rotterdam and then pursued independent improvisation study with Sietze de Vries on the historic organs of the Groningen province. Throughout his time in Europe, Devon served as organist in Reform and Scottish International churches and traveled extensively throughout Europe playing and performing on historic instruments.
In 2012, Devon completed a Doctor of Music Arts degree with Dr. Kimberly Marshall at Arizona State University, during which time he served as a Teaching Assistant for three years. His dissertation title was Organ Improvisation in Context: Historical and Practical Influences on the Craft of Improvisation at the Organ.
Devon performs regularly throughout the United States. He is a passionate advocate for improvisation, education and performance.