Steven Cowan

Steven Cowan is a Course Instructor in Guitar and Guitar Ensembles at the Schulich School of Music of McGill University since 2019. He specializes in classical guitar performance, chamber music, and contemporary works, with notable affiliations including the Canadian Guitar Quartet and the Forestare ensemble. His professional honors include First Prize at the 2021 Tallinn Guitar Competition and the 2021 East Coast Music Award for Classical Recording of the Year for FOCUS.

Education: Degrees from Memorial University (Newfoundland), Manhattan School of Music, and McGill University under mentors Sylvie Proulx, David Leisner, and Jérôme Ducharme. His teaching focuses on guitar performance techniques and ensemble coordination. Research interests include modern interpretations of classical repertoire, premiering new compositions, and cross-genre collaborations.

Recordings include FOCUS (2019) featuring Canadian music and Impressions intimes (2021), reimagining works by Debussy, Ravel, and others. His performances span solo and concerto engagements across North America, Europe, and New Zealand with groups like the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra and Ensemble Del Arte.