English organist Kevin Bowyer studied at the Royal Academy of Music from 1979 to 1982. During this time, his influences ranged from avant-garde organist Christopher Bowers-Broadbent to the harpsichordist Virginia Black. He later studied with organist David Sanger. He soon gained notoriety for programming lengthy and difficult recitals, presenting the complete organ symphonies of Widor, Vierne, and Dupré. In 1983, Bowyer won the St. Albans International Organ Festival competition, and the following year he gave his debut recital at the Royal Festival Hall, London. In 1990, he won first prize in the organ competitions at Dublin, Odense, Paisley, and Calgary. From 1989 until 1998, Bowyer was organist of the Parish of Warwick, but left this position to pursue a career as a soloist. He is a champion of the works of Sorabji, whose organ works he has recorded and edited.