[1] Swann was born in Arizona but moved to Dallas, Texas, as a young child.
While attending St. Mark's School of Texas, he studied for seven years with Alexander Uninsky at Southern Methodist University in Dallas.
He received his Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from the Juilliard School under Beveridge Webster and Joseph Bloch.
He completed his Doctor of Musical Arts degree under Adele Marcus, graduating with highest honors.
During this time, he won the Young Concert Artists International Auditions in 1974 and opened the 1975–76 YCA Series at Carnegie Hall with his New York debut.