About Me

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        Noted in artistic reviews for his “alluring stylings on violin” and “great passion for his craft,” Violinist and Composer Rowan Gemma graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance from Boston Conservatory at Berklee in 2024, where he studied under Saúl Bitrán. He is a Master of Music student and Nadia & Lili Boulanger Scholar at Longy School of Music in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where he studies composition with John Howell Morrison. Rowan previously studied violin with Elise Kuder and Maisa’a Hanbali through the Keene Community Music Center in his native Keene, New Hampshire.

        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 Del Mar, California. Recent composition 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. Devoted to the idea that composition and performance go hand in hand, Rowan seeks to incorporate his compositional experience into his teaching and performance work.

        Rowan was a member of the Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra from 2018 to 2024, with which he embarked on four international tours to countries including Brazil, South Africa, Greece, Switzerland, Austria, the Czech Republic, and Germany. During his time at Boston Conservatory, he served as Concertmaster of the Dance Orchestra and Assistant Concertmaster of the institution’s premier String Ensemble, 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 gained recital experience 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.

        Many of Rowan’s students - ranging in age from 6 years old to adult - 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.

        Rowan has maintained a five-star rating and “Top Performer” status on the website GigSalad for his solo gig work, which includes wedding ceremonies, proposals, private parties, open houses, and other events across New England.