Rowan grew up in Yass NSW, where he began playing tuba in high school. He attended the University of Newcastle, obtaining a Bachelor of Music and a Master of Philosophy at the Conservatorium of Music, studying tuba performance with Brendon Lukin and Steve Rossé.

Rowan has performed with numerous ensembles including Newcastle Wind Orchestra, Wallarah Community Band, Grainger Wind Symphony, Heidelberg Wind Symphony, Waratah Brass, Toronto Brass, Footscray-Yarraville City Band, Symphony Central Coast, Zelman Memorial Orchestra, and Preston Symphony Orchestra. He was also a founding member of Lakeside Brass Quintet.

As a conductor, Rowan has served as Music Director of Waratah Brass and Diamond Valley Brass. He has also worked as a guest conductor for a number of community and school ensembles.

Rowan has composed and arranged works for wind band, brass band, chamber ensembles and solo instruments. He is highly sought after as an adjudicator and music educator, working as a peripatetic music tutor for over 20 years.

He currently resides in Melbourne with his partner Daniel Dinh (also a composer) and their beagle Tobi. Outside of music, Rowan enjoys baking, science fiction, anime, 3D printing, and Nintendo.