The man behind the music.

Ethan Gough* is a Canadian bassist, composer, and educator based in St. John’s, Newfoundland with a strong dedication and passion for creating original contemporary art music. Gough’s works are quite methodical and sophisticated, and grapple with topics such as climate change and nature, mental health, and human connection. 

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The stylistic range of Gough’s compositions is dynamic and vast, regularly including elements of popular, electronic, jazz and contemporary classical music. This results in a unique compositional voice, often blurring the line between the synthetic and natural worlds. To enhance the world building around Gough’s compositions, he incorporates surreal aspects to his works such as electronics, projections or narrations alongside the music. He is the recipient of 2024 & 2025 Government of NL Arts and Letters awards for his music. Gough has collaborated with groups such as the Tenacious String Orchestra, Gonzaga High School, CALOS Youth Orchestras, Quintessential Vocal Ensemble and the Kawartha Lakes Concert Band.

 

Gough is also an avid performer. A bassist by trade, he has performed with numerous groups and musicians such as Heather Bambrick, Jacob Slous, the Grand Banks, MUN Jazz Orchestra and Wind Ensemble, CALOS Youth Orchestras as well as numerous school groups. He also leads his quintet the Ethan Gough Project who have their debut "Echoes of April" releasing summer 2026. He is also dedicated to community engagement, having served as a mentor for beginning band programs, a Junior Mentor for CALOS, and the Newfoundland Symphony’s Youth Ambassador for the 2025-26 season. 

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He is currently a grade 11 student at Gonzaga High School, intending on pursuing music in post-secondary. He currently studies composition with Jack Etchegary, and bass with Jim Vivian. When not composing or playing, you may find him spending time with his family and friends or enjoying some of his other hobbies including photography, biking and writing.