Rowan Meade is a New Zealand clarinetist and teacher, and a Master of Music graduate in Performance Clarinet with highest honours from the Sibelius Academy of Music in Helsinki, Finland.
During his studies, Rowan worked closely with leading Finnish clarinetists including Asko Heiskanen, Olli Leppäniemi, and Harri Mäki. While based in Finland, Rowan was frequently invited to perform with orchestras such as the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra and the Sibelius Academy Symphony Orchestra. Since returning to New Zealand, he has appeared with major ensembles including the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and the Auckland Philharmonia.
Rowan has taught clarinet at the University of Waikato and has maintained a successful private teaching studio in Auckland for over a decade. His students have achieved outstanding results, including winning prizes at the National Finals of the New Zealand Secondary Schools Chamber Music Contest, the Auckland Youth Orchestra Concerto Competition, and numerous school music competitions. Rowan has also served as a chamber music tutor, and was an adjudicator for the NZCT Chamber Music Contest in 2023 and 2025.
An active chamber musician, Rowan has won several competitions, including the Auckland Chamber Music Competition. He has toured Scandinavia with the Marinis Quintet and performed throughout New Zealand with Trio Éclat as part of Chamber Music New Zealand’s Encompass Tour. As a concerto soloist, Rowan has appeared with ensembles such as the Hawke’s Bay Orchestra, Auckland Youth Orchestra, and the Waitākere Orchestra.
Rowan is also a committed advocate for contemporary music. He is a recipient of the Lilburn Composition Competition Performance Prize and has collaborated extensively with New Zealand composers. Contemporary performance and new works will form a particular focus of his performing schedule in the coming year.
Want to find out more about learning clarinet or saxophone with Rowan?