Neil McEwan is an Associate Professor of Conducting, Music Education, Musicology, and Choirs at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, University of Sydney, from which he recently retired after nearly thirty years directing the Conservatorium choirs and lecturing in paleography and conducting. He holds a PhD in Gregorian chant semiological research from the University of Sydney awarded in 2003 and a Master's degree in Musicology from the University of New South Wales. His academic training began as a chorister and organist at St Mary’s Anglican Cathedral in Auckland, New Zealand, followed by studies through the Royal Schools of Music, Trinity College of Music in London, the University of Durham, and advanced training in Gregorian chant semiology, paleography, choral and orchestral conducting during residencies in France and Germany. McEwan served as Director of Music at Christ Church St Laurence in Sydney from 1980 to 2018 and was subsequently appointed Director of Music Emeritus there.

McEwan's research centers on Gregorian chant semiology and paleography. He transcribed chants from the historic Rimini Antiphonale of 1328, housed at the State Library of New South Wales, directed their first contemporary performances in concerts and for a Foxtel History Channel documentary, and conducted the Singers of St Laurence on the world-premiere recording titled The Mysteries of Gregorian Chant released by ABC Classics in 2014. His career highlights include major awards such as the Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2009 for services to music research and choral conducting, Fellowship of the Royal School of Church Music (FRSCM) in 2009, Honorary Fellowship of the Guild of Church Music (Hon FGCM) in 2017 for fifty years of service to church music, and a Churchill Fellowship in 1994 for overseas study in Gregorian chant semiology, paleography, and conducting. He currently serves as Director of Studies for the Guild of Church Music in Australia and New Zealand, sings as a chorister at St Paul’s Anglican Church in Burwood, and presents and programs for Fine Music Sydney.