We recently connected with Rowen Merrill and have shared our conversation below.
Rowen , thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
There are two key factors that have contributed to my resilience. First, I grew up in a family of professional musicians who not only helped me refine my skills but also provided rigorous critique of my playing. In my family, praise for the violin was only given if the performance truly deserved it. This instilled a strong work ethic in me, as I learned to continually strive for improvement. Fortunately, the environment was not overly rigid, which allowed my passion for the violin and music to flourish.
This upbringing has shaped how I approach criticism today. My family remains my toughest critics, and I’ve learned to assess external feedback carefully, taking what is constructive and letting go of what isn’t. This ability to filter feedback has been invaluable, both in my music and in my professional life.
The second experience that built my resilience occurred during my time in college, when I was studying violin performance. I was involved in two major car accidents that significantly impacted my ability to play. The first accident happened after my freshman year, making it difficult to practice and slowing my progress. Then, just before my senior year, my entire family was involved in a serious car crash, which set me back even further and required me to take more time off from the violin.
During this time away from playing, I developed a deeper affinity for composition and arranging. I began writing my own music and collaborating with bands on orchestral arrangements. What started as a way to cope with my setbacks gradually evolved into a professional passion. Now, I’m fortunate to pursue playing the violin, composing, and working with bands as an arranger.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I’m Rowen Merrill, a composer, arranger, and violinist, currently based in Los Angeles, CA. My journey in music began early—growing up in a family of professional musicians in Los Angeles, I was immersed in a wide range of musical styles from a young age. This foundation fostered a deep appreciation for the way different genres can blend and inform one another, something that plays a huge role in my current work across popular and independent music.
Music has always been a part of who I am. I started singing before I could speak, and I spent my childhood composing jingles and playful tunes. At five, I began playing the violin, and soon after, my professional career took off. I had the incredible opportunity to sing on soundtracks for movies like The Polar Express, Mulan II, and Lilo and Stitch II, and even worked with Neil Young on his album Americana.
I studied classical violin performance at Belmont University and later deepened my skills in composition and arranging under the guidance of Carl Marsh in Nashville. I also had the privilege of learning from renowned violinist Roberto Cani, concertmaster of the Los Angeles Opera, which further honed my technical skills.
What excites me most about my work is the constant creative challenge. Whether I’m composing, arranging, or performing, there’s always an opportunity to push the boundaries of what I can create. My recent projects include scoring commercials and indie films, as well as collaborating with artists like Katy Kirby, Brotherbird, Lou Turner, and Grumpy, as an arranger. I’ve also had the pleasure of performing with talented musicians like Kacey Musgraves and Lydia Luce, Katy Kirby, and Lou Turner.
In 2018, I released my first instrumental mini-album, Kewl Vibes by Rowen, and followed that up with a full album in 2023 with Warner Chappell Productions. I’m currently working on my sophomore album, set to be released in 2025. This album will reflect my continued growth as both a composer and performer, and I’m excited to share more with the world soon.
What I find most fulfilling about my career is the ability to combine my passion for classical music with contemporary styles, creating something that feels both fresh and timeless. There’s nothing more exciting to me than collaborating with artists across genres and contributing to projects that push the boundaries of what music can be.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Resilience: From a young age, I’ve learned to push through challenges, both personal and professional. Growing up in a family of professional musicians meant that I was constantly encouraged to improve, and my early experiences with constructive criticism taught me to approach obstacles as opportunities for growth. The two major car accidents I experienced during my college years were a pivotal point in my life, but they also helped me discover composition and orchestration, which I now do professionally. Resilience has meant learning how to adapt and find creative solutions, even when things don’t go as planned.
Creative Flexibility: Growing up in a family where different musical genres were always in the mix, I learned early on to appreciate the beauty in both structure and improvisation. This helped me develop a creative flexibility that’s crucial in both composing and arranging. Music is so multifaceted, and the ability to combine classical techniques with modern styles has allowed me to collaborate with artists from diverse genres. Whether it’s arranging for indie bands or composing for films, creativity thrives when you’re open to experimenting and exploring new territories.
Musical Fundamentals: My formal education in classical violin, coupled with my studies in composition and orchestration, provided me with a strong foundation in musical theory and technique. Understanding the mechanics of music—how harmony, melody, and rhythm interact—has been essential in everything I do. This deep knowledge has allowed me to approach any musical project with confidence, whether I’m arranging orchestral pieces, composing for media, or performing as a violinist.
The most important thing I’ve learned, and what proves itself true over and over again, is to believe in yourself. No one else can give that to you. Another thing I like to do is take risks, jump off a cliff once in a while and see what happens.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
I am always looking for directors and writers to collaborate with, along with artists and producers. There is nothing more fun to me than working with someone I believe in and adding a little piece to their work that makes it come to life even more.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rowenmerrill.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alfieslookbook8899/
Image Credits
Bree Fish (first 3 photos), Athena Bulb (photo of Katy Kirby and string quintet at the Blue Room)
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