Rowan Rupakus

Biography

Rowan Rupakus is a passionate music educator, performer, and arts entrepreneur holding a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education (PreK–12 Choral and General Music) from the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire, widely known as Wisconsin’s “Singing University.” During her undergraduate studies, she pursued focused training in voice, conducting, and piano under distinguished faculty including Dr. Mark Mowry, Dr. Frank Watkins, and Dr. Chris McGinley.

During her time at UW–Eau Claire, Rowan was an active member of numerous ensembles, including Concert Choir, Women’s Concert Chorale, Novum Voce, Symphonic Choir, and Audacious A Cappella. Beyond the university, she remained deeply engaged in the local music community, performing with Trinity Lutheran Chancel Choir and First Congregational Church of Christ Chancel Choir.

Rowan has toured internationally on two occasions. In 2018, she traveled to seven countries with the Wisconsin Ambassadors of Music, performing in renowned venues such as St. Mark’s Cathedral in Venice, Italy. Most notably, in the summer of 2019, she performed in Paris, France at the 75th Anniversary of D-Day at La Madeleine Church, and the flag raising ceremony at the American Cemetery in Normandy, France, alongside the Master Singers and musicians from around the world, under the direction of Dr. Gary Schwartzhoff.

Following graduation, Rowan relocated to Bellingham, Washington, where she founded Rowan’s Music Studio, offering private voice and piano instruction. She also co-founded State Street Music Studios and The Musician’s Collective, a cooperative studio committed to providing affordable music education while ensuring equitable pay for instructors. During her time in Washington, Rowan performed for two seasons with the Bellingham Chamber Chorale under Dr. Frederick Mabalot, including a featured performance of Fauré’s Requiem with the Bellingham Symphony Orchestra at Mount Baker Theatre. She was also a recurring guest artist at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Bellingham, collaborating with organist Dongho Lee. Notable performances include Karl Jenkins’ The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace and James Whitbourn’s Requiem as part of the Remembrance Concert series.

As Rowan awaits her move to Berlin, Germany to pursue her MBA at Hochschule für Wirtschaft und Recht Berlin, she resides in Elmwood, Wisconsin. Rowan offers private voice and piano lessons through the Elmwood Community Education Program and serves as Assistant Director for the Journey Homeschool Group Choir in River Falls, WI. She is also an active member of Chorale NouvEAU, founded in 2019 by Artistic Director Kate Larson.

Outside of music, Rowan enjoys traveling, reading, exploring local music scenes, hiking, and practicing yoga. She recently spent six weeks backpacking through 15 countries across Europe, revisiting cities where she previously performed. Rowan remains deeply committed to community engagement and to expanding access to high-quality, inclusive music education.

Influences:
Rowan was inspired to pursue a career in music by her school music/choir teacher, Taylor Wallace. She showed Rowan how powerful the study of music is and the sense of community you gain while being in a choir. She is incredibly grateful for the opportunity to perform with Taylor again with Chorale NouvEAU. Rowan hopes to influence her students the same way that Taylor did for her. 

A few of her favorite artists include; Khraungbin, Men I Trust, The Beatles, Fionna Apple, Brandi Carlile, Bonnie Raitt, YEBBA, Esperanza Spalding, and Erykah Badu.