Originally from Rochester, New York, Peter James Learn began composing in his late teens, first focusing primarily on electronic music, then branching out into concert music. He earned a B.M. in composition and theory from Heidelberg University, in Ohio, studying with Brian Bevelander, where he was awarded the Ars Nova prize for student composition. He then went on to earn an M.M. in composition, studying with Dana Wilson at Ithaca College in New York. Recent compositional activities of his include the premier of his symphonic work Mosäique by The Cleveland Orchestra, a commission for brass trio, Dumas, by trombonist Andrew Friedrichs, the inclusion of his Shant, for string quartet on the Henri Mancini Institute Quartet’s recent recording, and the premier of his chamber work Apollonian Echo, by members of the Cleveland Orchestra. His Schumann Resonances was also recently premiered by the Baltimore-based Lunar Ensemble and his Benevolent Machinations for piano duo has been recently performed by international pianists Daniel Manoiu and Larisa Soboleva. Mr. Learn has recently earned a D.M.A. in music theory and composition from the University of Miami, Florida, studying with Dennis Kam and Dorothy Hindman, where he continues to be an active composer and educator.