Biography

Noted in artistic reviews for his “alluring stylings on violin” (The Keene Sentinel) and “great passion for his craft” (GigSalad), violinist and composer Rowan Gemma enjoys a career that combines performance, composition, and teaching across New England and beyond. Rowan holds a Master of Music in Composition from the Longy School of Music, where he was a Nadia & Lili Boulanger Scholar, and a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance from Boston Conservatory at Berklee. Principal teachers during his studies at these institutions include composer John Howell Morrison and violinists Mark Lakirovich and Saul Bitran. Before moving to Boston, Rowan studied violin with Elise Kuder and Maisa’a Hanbali through the Keene Community Music Center in his native Keene, New Hampshire.

Rowan was a member of the Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra from 2018 to 2024, touring internationally in Brazil, South Africa, Greece, Switzerland, Austria, the Czech Republic, and Germany. He received early orchestral training as a Violin I section player in the Keene Chamber Orchestra and gained collaborative experience through chamber music festivals and performances with local choruses.

Rowan’s original music has been recorded by GRAMMY-winning artists and acclaimed ensembles through various collaborative events, including the Del Mar International Composers Symposium in California. Recent projects include a score for the Edge Ensemble Theatre Company’s production of a Mycroft Holmes audio play and an art song for mezzo-soprano and piano. Committed to the close relationship between composition and performance, Rowan integrates his compositional perspective into both his teaching and performing work.

During his time at Boston Conservatory, Rowan served as Concertmaster of the Dance Orchestra and Assistant Concertmaster of Hemenway Strings. He also held positions in the conservatory’s Conductors’ Orchestra and Berklee College of Music’s Film Scoring Sessions Project. Rowan was awarded the New Hampshire American String Teacher Association Scholarship upon graduating from Keene High School in 2020, where he was also a two-time recipient of the National Orchestra award.

Rowan has appeared as a soloist with the Keene Chamber Orchestra and has performed in Carnegie Hall’s Zankel Hall, the Kaufman Music Center, and Parco Della Musica in Rome, Italy, as a result of competition recognition. As an ensemble musician, he has played in venues including Boston Symphony Hall, Perelman Stage at Carnegie Hall, Musikverein, The Elbphilharmonie, Rudolfinum, Berlin Philharmonic, New England Conservatory’s Jordan Hall, Sanders Theatre at Harvard University, Mechanics Hall, MIT’s Kresge Auditorium, and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

A licensed educator, Rowan teaches violin, viola, and composition students with a variety of musical interests and focuses. Ranging in age from six years old to adult, many are members of ensembles at New England Conservatory Prep, the Rivers School Conservatory, and the University of New Hampshire Youth Symphony Orchestra, while others have achieved top marks at festivals such as the Accordion Teachers Association of Massachusetts (ATAM) New England Music Festival.

Since launching his YouTube channel in 2013 at age 11, Rowan has cultivated an entrepreneurial approach to self-production through violin covers, performances, music videos, and original compositions, building an audience of more than 30,000 subscribers. Collaboration remains central to these projects, which often feature family, friends, and fellow musicians in productions that blend unique instrumentations and visuals.

Rowan also maintains “Top Performer” status on the website GigSalad, where he has earned more than a dozen five-star reviews for performances at weddings, proposals, private events, and other engagements throughout New England.

Rowan began teaching in 2023 and joined Note-worthy Experiences in May 2024.