Allison Cowan was born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee where she discovered her passion for string instruments.  As a child, she was consistently awarded top chairs in the Nashville Youth Symphony, the Tennessee All-State Orchestra, and her high school orchestra program.  She is also an alumni of the Tennessee Governor’s School for the Arts.  After receiving her degree in Music Education from Middle Tennessee State University, Mrs. Cowan began teaching for Williamson County Schools. 

 

With Williamson County Schools, Mrs. Cowan founded the Centennial High School Orchestra, the Ravenwood High School Orchestra, and the Woodland Middle School Orchestra.  She has remained the Director of Orchestras at Centennial High School since 2012.  Her orchestras consistently won superior ratings at regional assessment events through the Middle Tennessee School Band and Orchestra Association (MTSBOA) and State Concert Festival through the Tennessee Music Education Association (TMEA).  In 2019, the Centennial Orchestra became the first orchestra in Middle Tennessee accepted into the National Orchestra Festival through the American String Teacher’s Association. 

 

In 2018, Mrs. Cowan was recognized as one of the 50 Directors Who Make a Difference by School Band and Orchestra Magazine.  She has also been featured in publications through the National Association for Music Education.

 

On top of her work in the public schools, Mrs. Cowan was the music director for the Music City Youth Orchestra from 2018 to 2020.  Currently, she is serving as President-Elect of the Tennessee Chapter of the American String Teachers Association.

 

In her spare time, Mrs. Cowan is a Girl Scout troop leader.  Her favorite hobbies are camping, hiking, and enjoying the outdoors with her husband and daughter.

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acowan@ethosmusic.net