About Madelyn

Dr. Madelyn Rowland’s horn playing, described as having “depth with incredible nuance in regards to the composer’s intention,” is influenced as much by her diverse educational and performance background as it is her passion for teaching horn. One of the youngest in an artistic family, Madelyn’s love of music is rooted in a childhood surrounded by musicians, including the influence of her Bluegrass singer-songwriter and guitar player grandfather, Hardy Brendle.

Passionate about diversifying her music education, Madelyn pursued a variety of secondary disciplines throughout her undergraduate and graduate studies. In studying voice and piano, she became the first student at Western Kentucky University to hold positions in the top vocal and instrumental ensembles concurrently. As a graduate student at The University of Alabama, Madelyn studied composition with Drs. Amir Zaheri and Tyler Walker while maintaining full-time assistantships in both the horn studio and the department of musicology. Madelyn was also a member of the Grammy-nominated jazz band, the 2015 All-American College Band of Anaheim, California.

Madelyn has maintained an active performing and teaching career with international reach, including Costa Rica and China, where she performed, taught lessons, and led masterclasses. As a private lessons instructor with over thirteen years of experience, Madelyn’s students have gone on to a myriad of careers in music, including: education, music therapy, non-profit administration, and orchestra management. As a performer, Madelyn maintains an active schedule with local and regional orchestras, most notably the Chattanooga and Huntsville Symphonies. In addition, she has recorded with Capitol Records, Bates Brothers, and Ocean Way Studios.

Madelyn earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Western Kentucky University, and both a Master’s in Music Performance, and Doctor of Musical Arts from The University of Alabama, in which she graduated summa cum laude. Her primary teachers were Natalie Adcock, and internationally renowned pedagogue Charles “Skip” Snead. Madelyn has completed secondary studies with Jeff Scott, co-founding member of the Imani Winds, and John McGuire, distinguished horn pedagogue and player. In addition, Madelyn has worked with noted horn players David Jolley, Andrew Bain, Nancy Joy, Laura Brenes, Kristy Morell, Gordon James, and Radu Rusu.

Madelyn currently lives in St. Louis with her husband, Drake, and cat, Lux. In her free time, Madelyn is an avid reader, and auto-chess player.