Nathaniel Gowen
Director of Recruitment, Admissions & Career Planning
Nathaniel Gowen joined the department staff full time in November 2017, directly following his graduation from UMass Amherst with a Master of Music in Jazz Composition/Arranging. Prior to that, Nate graduated from the University of Southern Maine in 2014 with a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Performance. He is a proud native of Westbrook, Maine.
In addition to his duties in the Department of Music and Dance, Nate is a staff advisor for membership of Sigma Alpha Iota and is an honorary brother of Kappa Kappa Psi. Outside of UMass, he has served on the Board of Directors for the Northampton Jazz Festival since 2020, starting as a Producer then later adding duties of Board Secretary in 2024. Nate has also been a proud cast member for the Shows & Entertainment Division of Six Flags New England since 2016, particularly during their fall season "Fright Fest" event.
Underpinning all of the above, Nate is a drummer and percussionist, having started percussion in 5th grade and taking up drum set later in middle school after being inspired by a performance of the Westbrook High School Jazz Ensemble. He is proud to be the drummer of the Amherst Jazz Orchestra (under the direction of David Sporny) and has recently rekindled activities as a drummer for musical theater productions at the Opera House Players in Enfield, CT.
Nate is thankful to all the musical pedagogues in his journey and salutes music teachers everywhere for their tireless work fostering the love and practice of live performance. He's especially thankful for the lessons (both in life and in music) of his undergraduate mentor, the late Les Harris, Jr., whose biggest takeaways were the importance of being a "happy drummer" and that "if you play good time, you'll work."