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Kerilie McDowall

16x Award-winning 10x nominated jazz guitarist, TV Director,/Short Filmmaker, past radio host/podcaster (Rhythm'a'ning).

About Me

Kerilie McDowall is an arts-focused jazz guitarist, grant writer, music journalist, music educator, and press publicity specialist. McDowall is a 16-time award-winning jazz podcaster, jazz short documentary TV filmmaker/director, and jazz guitarist-bandleader-composer. Writing cred includes prestigious USA’s DownBeat jazz magazine (2016- 2020), INSPIRED 55+, AllAboutJazz.com (2018-present), her blog In the Zen, Canadian Musician, and Musicworks.


Along with her grant writing expertise, she ties in her knowledge of journalism with the ins of music judging on juries like the JUNO Awards (2012-2023), the $50,000 Polaris Music Prize, and the MiMc Music Awards - Music in Motion Canada (2025).As a DownBeat Critics Poll judge she assists you to achieve your best grant jury grant- funding opportunities.


Kerilie McDowall is a Central Vancouver Island creativepreneur double-business owner of Oceanview Guitar Studio & Creative Services and Avebury Moon Music & Film. As a musician, she offers lessons in guitar, music improvisation, sound bathing, writing, grant writing services, and publicity lessons. As a 13-time award-winning filmmaker, she provides film education to new directors. The jazz guitarist in 2025 composed and arranged 12 jazz compositions, and two more on the way in January 2026, resuming performing in 2024.


“Kerilie's advice was an absolute Godsend that could not have come at a better time. Kerilie and I began corresponding on a semi-regular basis just as I was putting the finishing touches on my fourth album. Her help was invaluable, and I learned something new about the fine art of self-promotion (which was never my strong suit) each time we spoke. I can't thank her enough for sharing her wisdom and experience, and I plan to put her advice to good use with each new project.” —JUNO-winning bassist Rich Brown, Toronto, Canada (Steve Coleman and Five Elements, Jeremy Ledbetter Trio, Rudresh Mahanthappa.


“Well there may be 8 million guitarists in the world, but Kerilie McDowall is certainly one of the best. Guitar Player magazine calls her playing 'smooth and elegant,' to which I would add, intelligent and original.” —Paul Grant, Host, CBC Hot Air, Vancouver, BC. The Kerilie McDowall Sextet as recorded/produced by Neil Ritchie


”Kerilie McDowall fronts a first-rate jazz quintet...Labels listen up...a very talented musician.” “…an appealing Blue Note ambience.” “Smooth, elegant playing...warm relaxing tones.” “…impressive are her composing skills.”—Guitar Player Magazine


“Kerilie McDowall emerged in the 1990s as the leading female voice in jazz guitar in Canada. Lyrically original in both the melodic sense and harmonic concept. And she SWINGS!” — Al Johnston, Bassist/composer (Grupo Jazz Tumbao, Orquesta La Clave, Orquesta Goma Dura, Xarabanda, JUNO Nominee Rumba Calzada, Shangó Ashé, La Raza Latina, Alma Libre. )


”Kerilie is one of those rare people who really understands music and art while also understanding how to share it in a way that is efficient and beneficial to both the artist and the artform. With her contagious passion and energy, she reminded me of the importance and meaning of this fascinating career path and the importance and value of hard work. Kerilie is deeply passionate about art and people, she is generous, inspiring and supportive and is a great source of knowledge, which are all qualities that contribute to her being an outstanding teacher.” —2022, Gentiane Michaud-Gagnon (Radio-Canada Revelation Prize (2019), François-Marcaurelle Award from the Quebec Musicians’ Guild (2019), OPUS Award for Artist of the Year (2020), and Best Jazz Album of the Year (2023). Walls Made of Glass, was also nominated for the ADISQ (Quebec) and JUNO Awards (Canada) in 2024.)


”Kerilie is a rare combination of ardent supporter, facilitator, and artist. Whether it’s journalism, broadcasting, filmmaking, educating, or her own music making, Kerilie’s contribution to the creative music ecosystem is immense!” —JUNO Award-winning multi-instrumentalist/composer Stephen Lyons, Fond of Tigers, Limbs of the Stars and Sun Belt, Offseason Records founder/owner.