About Tom Peters
Tom Peters is a pianist, vocalist, and composer from Newark, Delaware. Tom's grandparents introduced him to opera and classical music at a very young age. Their adoration for music inspired Tom to study piano. After years of piano lessons, he started performing in multiple choruses as an accompanist and vocalist. Tom loves singing with a group of friends because he believes strongly that music brings people together.
Tom started studying piano at age six and performed in his school's ensemble jazz band and chorus. He earned a B.A. in Music and English from Ithaca College, where he studied piano under Drs. Jairo Geronymo and Diane Birr. After graduation, Tom accompanied schools, soloists, musicals, and community choruses in the Ithaca area.
Tom's work with vocal ensembles inspired him to take voice lessons. He studied with accomplished opera singers Dawn Pierce and Shawna Avinger. His favorite vocal composers include Richard Strauss, Kurt Weill, and Stephen Sondheim. In studying their music, he learned that words drive the music. This led Tom to a career in composition!
Tom started composing arias and choral works using text from his favorite poets. He took lessons from Colin Britt, a prominent choral composer, and received commissions from West Village Chorale and other choruses in New York State. Recently, Tom was commissioned to write a mini-opera The Pharaoh and His General for Seattle's Reboot Theatre Company.
Music tells a story, and Tom's lessons focus on interpretation. A piece is not fully learned when the notes and rhythms are mastered. He believes expression and creativity make a piece come to life and wants to help students find their unique voice and tell their own story.
