Dr. James McGowan is an associate professor in Music, while currently serving as supervisor of Performance Studies, assistant director of Carleton Jazz Camp, and as of Fall 2020, Carleton University Chair in Teaching Innovation. As the Chair in Teaching Innovation, he receives an annual grant to promote community music and arts education across the campus with his PLACE initiative, conducting research in its impact to Teaching and Learning.
Dr. McGowan actively engages in music performance and research creation as a pianist, conductor, composer-arranger, music theorist and practitioner of community music. He is particularly interested in creating opportunities for people to experience the arts as both participant and receiver. Finding the hybrid space between classical, jazz, and contemporary improvisation, James has given piano performances in Canada, the United States and Sweden. He has released several albums as leader or co-leader, including his 2020 release 4K, a critically acclaimed jazz-fusion album recorded by his quartet Modasaurus.
Dr. McGowan has been an arts workshop clinician and adjudicator for different arts organizations (Junos, Kiwanis, Canadian Music Showcase, City of Ottawa, etc.). His research output has led to many conference presentations and publications in topics in music theory, community music and music pedagogy.
