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Dr. Sam Gowen is the professional academic advisor, scholarship coordinator and horn instructor for the Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ School of the Performing Arts. She teaches applied horn lessons to majors, minors and nonmajors as well as the First Year Seminar for incoming School of Performing Arts majors each fall. In addition to her teaching and advising duties, she serves as the recruitment and retention coordinator, managing recruiting and scholarship events on campus, as well as representing the school at regional and national music conferences.

Gowen remains an active freelance performer and has performed with a variety of orchestras and chamber groups, including the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra, the Sioux City Symphony Orchestra, Woodbine Productions, Sinfonia Gulfcoast, Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra and Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra, among others.

Gowen earned her Doctorate in Music for horn performance from Florida State University. While living in the south, she served as the Artist in Residence horn instructor for Valdosta State University. There, she taught bachelor's and master’s horn students and a graduate brass methods course for music education majors. She also served as co-principal for the Valdosta Symphony Orchestra alongside Paul Basler. Gowen received her master’s from Michigan State University in horn performance and completed her Bachelor of Music in music education and horn performance from the University of Georgia.

Gowen has a vested research interest in creating dynamic and accessible performances for audiences of all backgrounds. Her recitals typically include visual and extra musical pairings of sights and sounds that enhance the performance aesthetic, as well as interdisciplinary collaborations. Her dissertation revolved around the student recital planning process, creating a curriculum module that challenges students to think outside the typical format for recitals and push the bounds of what they think classical music should look and sound like. She has found that this creates more engaging, inviting and memorable experiences that are deeply rewarding for audiences and performers.

When Gowen is not advising, teaching or performing, she is likely traveling and exploring new cities alongside her fiancé, Brad, working out, going on hikes or cuddling with her two kitties, Batman and Lumiére.