David Peoples, DMA

David Peoples is a composer, presenter, and educator. David enjoys sharing his own and other composers’ new music in recitals. In 2021, he presented recitals featuring 75+ composers in 31 states through the National Association of Composers, Music Teachers National Association, Research on Contemporary Composition Conference, and Electrophonic Concerts. David also actively composes new music with recent performances by soloists, Luna Nova Music Ensemble, Argento Chamber Ensemble, Contemporary Chamber Players, West Point Band, and other performance groups — with premieres in North and Central America, Europe, and Asia. Additionally, he has enjoyed jazz premieres by the Jazz Surge with Randy Brecker, David Sanchez, Rufus Reid, and Gary Foster.  

Among other things, David has toured extensively; lived, studied, and performed in Los Angeles, Austin, Memphis, and Atlanta; and won numerous national and international awards for composition. David actively produces albums as a leader and technologist (each containing his compositions). Many of these albums feature a blended approach of live performance with fixed media elements. His works have been part of the Bluesilhouettes Music, Skydeck Music, and Select-O-Hits Labels.  

As an active faculty member at the University of North Georgia, David has been an advocate for student composers to present their music through academic conferences, ensemble opportunities, and recitals. As an instructor, composition is an integral part of his courses taught in theory, technology, and history. David received his music doctorate under the direction of Kamran Ince at the University of Memphis. His printed music is available through Bluesilhouettes Music or UNC Jazz Press and distributed by J. W. Pepper.  

David writes with a ginger ale in hand on a balcony surrounded by forest. It’s from here, surrounded by nature, that all of his compositions begin before being released into and around the world.