Peter Dayton, described as “a composer whose heart and care are palpable" (American Record Guide), is a composer passionate about poetry and song. His previous release, Stories Out of Cherry Stems: Katie Procell sings works by Peter Dayton (Navona Records, 2022), was nominated for Critic's Choice by Opera News, which praised Dayton's "fresh and interesting sounds." His discography also includes Aspects of Landscape: Music from the world of John Hitchens (Independent, 2021) and Notes to Loved Ones: New Music for Strings & Piano (Navona Records, 2018). Peter holds degrees from Vanderbilt University and Peabody Conservatory. At Peabody he was the winner of the Macht and Gustav Klem Composition Awards. Peter is a proud resident of Baltimore, Maryland.

Peter’s creative output is directly shaped by his relationships and life experiences. Many of his works use visual art or poetry as the spark for an artistic response. His works responding to contemporary painters have generated friendships and connections across the globe, from England to Peru. Peter’s passion for literature has resulted in over a dozen settings of poems in art songs and choral works. In addition to his settings of modern American poets, Peter wrote the libretto for his own chamber opera May She | She May about the poet Gertrude Stein’s first love affair. His album of chamber music, Notes to Loved Ones presents pieces for piano and strings that “practically hum with the intensity of love and life, and they are presented in sequence in a way that makes the process of listening to them feel like looking through a beautiful photo album.” (American Record Guide).